Skin show has always been a selling element for B-town filmmakers. Indian culture may boast of sati-savitri Bhartiya nari, or crib about the adaptation of western culture in recent times, but the truth is- our film fraternity has been modern and contemporary in its thoughts and ways since the 60's.

Remember the sensuous Sharmila Tagore of An evening in Paris in the 60's. An icing on the cake was when she donned a bikini on the cover page of a renowned magazine. The unmatchable oomph-factor of another diva Parveen Babi ruled the roost in 70's, with her amazing style quotient in bikini.

Then, came the voluptuous, yet sexy, Bikini-clad Zeenat Aman in her films such as Qurbani, Pukaar and Dostana.

The trend of bikini somehow got lost, until some super-sexy divas yet again set the B-town lanes on fire on the cover pages of magazines, films and music albums.

Let's begin with divas with enormous sensuality that got the trend of bikini back in tinsel town. But most importantly, we look back at how this two-piece is now a major tool to get the audience attention all the way to the Box-office.

Today bikini has become a tool for most of the filmmakers to fill their pockets with uncountable money.

Shilpa Shetty- She made every head turn to notice her ultra-sexy perfect figure. This diva easily slipped into two-piece with an unmatchable grace in Dostana. However, a point to be noted here, director Tarun Mansukhani showcased Shilpa Shetty in an item song, which became one of the high points of the film, raking in audience and moolah on box-office.

Sushmita Sen- This bong-beauty's claims to have shared the most sensuous chemistry with King Khan till date came true with Main Hoon Na. Farah Khan made this diva look like an angel in a swimsuit.

Kareena Kapoor- The deep-blue eyed Kareena Kapoor wore the ultra-sexy attire twice. Her size zero-figure had become the talk of the town.

With a sizzling hot bikini in Tashan she showcased her sexy avatar, which made many a hearts go flutter, including our Chote Nawab who can't withhold ravishing about his ladylove. Again in Kamabakht Ishq, she gave her fans a glimpse of her ever super–toned body.

Mallika Sherawat- This sexy-siren does not need any introduction. With oodles of sex appeal she made many a men drool over for just a peek at her skimpy beachwear, in her much talked about film- Murder. The director never kept any stones unturned to make his money-minting machine look most ravishing thing on planet earth.

Bipasha Basu- This dusky-beauty, also the IFFA female style icon of 2009 not only got into the bikini with the never-ever seen grace, but also, manage to stand at par with world-class beauty Aishwarya Rai. Her multi-colored bikini got her loads of praises all over, and also to the filmmaker associated with Dhoom 2.

Priyanka Chopra- The ever-graceful former Miss World and extremely celebrated female actor today, Priyanka Chopra gave another reason to cine-goers to watch Dostana.

She, though a main-lead, donned a golden bikini with umpteen grace, which yet again gave an extra edge to the director to woo his audience in the midst of many contenders floating simultaneously near the box-office ticket window.

Deepika Padukone- Might have left her fans in gloom, for they still haven't got a chance to have a look at her in a bikini on silver screen. However, looking at the trend of bikini-wearers making waves, Deepika is not taking any chances to be left behind and thus to stay in the Bikini cat-race, Deepika donned a two-piece swimsuit for Kingfisher calendar.

Shruti Haasan- This star-child got her hands on a bikini in the very first film of her career. Luck, might not have clicked with the audience, but Shruti in bikini did. Looking smoldering hot, Shruti in a bikini overshadowed the film's publicity.

Soham Shah played his cards right in Luck with getting his actor with right attire at a right time, though unfortunately not the right script.

Rani Mukherjee- The talented actress is the latest entrant to the bikini club. This bundle of talent will be wearing a bikini for the very first time in her long spanning career, for her forthcoming film Dil Bole Hadippa, opposite Shahid Kapoor.

Rani's sardarji look in the film is also a much talked about affair. However, it would be interesting to see whether her fans are inclined to her cute sardaji look, or the hot bikini avatar.