Katrina Kaif is "trying her best" to outdo her last item number. This one won't be he remake of a classic. Will it hit the bullseye, even so?

Sheila Ki Jawani is passe. Katrina Kaif is reinventing herself for an item number for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Picture if you will, something of the ilk of Madhuri Dixit's Ek Do Teen from Tezaab.

Now think of Kat in a similar tapori-type track, drawing ceetees from the front-benchers.

Says Katrina, "Yes, I am shooting a full-on tapori number. It's earthy and sensuous not suggestive. I'm supposed to be dancing at a roadside dhaba."

So what happens to Sheila? Katrina shrugs, "That's become the new benchmark for all my dance numbers. I was told to better Sheila Ki Jawani. And I'm trying my best."

The actress is quietly shooting for the item number at Yash Raj Studios. Onlookers say she's sporting a hot new look.

Sohail Sen has composed the music. The brief that producer Aditya Chopra gave him was simple: Keep it original. Go "beyond Sheila".

Says a source, "It isn't so much about one-upmanship over Kat's last calling card as much as it is to living up to (if not exceeding) the expectations audiences would have from an item number featuring the actress)."

FACT: Bosco (of the Bosco-Ceasar duo), who also did Deepika Padukone's Mit Jaaye Gham will choreograph the Kat track. Adi has told him to avoid raunchy, bawdy or suggestive steps.

Right here, right now

Apparently, Kat broke into a jig right there and then in Adi Chopra's office when she heard the track. The shy producer was amused and pleasantly embarrassed.

ITEM LOG

Yana Gupta in Chalo Dilli (Laila O Laila) and in Murder 2 (Aa Zara Kareeb Se)

Deepika Padukone in Dum Maaro Dum (Mit Jaaye Gham)

Mallika Sherawat in Thank You (Razia Gundo Mein Phans Gayi)

Malaika Arora Khan in Dabangg (Munni Badnaam Hui)