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Bollywood, Kollywood and Tollywood will often throw in a song and dance number in the middle of a film that may seem to (in some cases) have little or nothing to do with the movies main plot.
These are called "Item Numbers" and the female stars often are referred to as "Item Girls".
The sequences do get a lot of attention, and in some cases, have launched the careers of some of Bollywood's biggest stars.
Often the Item Number will appear during the opening and (or) closing credits, and sometimes will feature a performer who isn't even in the movie except for that dance sequence.
Although some people consider Madhuri Dixit to be the pioneer of the modern trend, Helen (Helen Jairag Richardson) may have actually started item numbers way back in the 60s, with Bindu and Aruna Irani carrying the trend through the 70s.
Kajol
Yes, Kajol may be a respected Bollywood actress appearing in such films as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and winning four Filmfare Best Actress Awards (and a ton of others), but Kajol has a few Item Numbers to her credit....
2003 - Maahi Ve - Kal Ho Naa Ho
2006 - Rock 'n' Roll Soniye - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
2007 - Deewangi Deewangi - Om Shanti Om
2008 - Haal-e-dil
2008 - Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Here is Kajol in Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte.
Well it's not just Kajol, it's Kajol, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Priety Zinta, and Rani Mukherjee all in the same number.
I think this is probably one of the most lavish Item numbers I have ever seen in a Bollywood film, and it rivals the classic Hollywood Musicals as far as choreography and sets go.
