- Wednesday, February 26, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Bollywood’s ‘item songs’ have always sparked debate, with some artists embracing them while others remain critical. Shreya Ghoshal, one of India’s most celebrated playback singers, recently shared her discomfort regarding the raunchy song Chikni Chameli from Agneepath (2012), which featured Katrina Kaif. In a recent interview, she admitted feeling embarrassed by the song and expressed concern over how young children engage with such music.
Shreya acknowledged that she has performed songs that could be considered borderline raunchy, but she emphasized that there is a crucial distinction between being sexy and being objectified. “I have a handful of songs which could be borderline raunchy, like Chikni Chameli,” she said. “There is a very fine line between being sexual and sexy, or simply being objectified. Over time, I’ve become more conscious of this, especially when I see little girls singing such songs.”
She recalled instances where young children, unaware of the meaning behind the lyrics, would excitedly sing the song in front of her. “They don’t know what it means; they just find it fun and dance to it,” she explained. “They come up to me and say, ‘I love your music, can I sing this in front of you?’ And then, I feel very embarrassed. A little girl, barely five or six years old, singing such a song—it doesn’t suit or sound appropriate. I don’t want that, so I’ve been conscious about it.”
Shreya also raised concerns about the lyrical content of item songs, which are predominantly written by male lyricists. While she believes there is nothing wrong with a woman expressing confidence in her own sensuality, she feels that the way such themes are portrayed in Bollywood could be more respectful. “It isn’t wrong to happily talk about how sexy I am,” she stated. “But the lyrics shouldn’t be written in a way that feels degrading. Maybe if a woman were writing it, she would have approached it with more grace. It’s all about perspective.”
She further stressed the need for Bollywood to set responsible benchmarks, especially given its immense influence on society. “Films and music have a massive impact on people; they are a significant part of our lives,” she said. “A big blockbuster film or song becomes a part of history, and I don’t want to be associated with that kind of history.”
Her remarks shed light on the ongoing discourse around item numbers in Bollywood and their impact on audiences, particularly children. While these songs often become chartbusters, they also raise questions about the representation of women in mainstream cinema. Shreya’s perspective highlights the need for a shift in how such themes are handled in the industry, ensuring that entertainment remains fun and empowering without reinforcing problematic narratives.
