Just as a typical Bollywood movie seems incomplete without an item song, ending 2011 without a special piece on them would be just as abrupt.
An item number along with its mandatory jhatkas and latkas, comes handy not only as a crowd pulling publicity gimmick before the release of the film, but also to up the hotness quotient of the film.
In some cases it is also said to have boosted box office openings and has also served as a saving grace for some bad movies.
Tere pyaar ne kar diya deewana
And if women are ruling the roost with their oomph-appeal, can the men in the male-dominated industry be left behind?
Character Dheela
So if last year's item girls like Munni (Malaika Arora Khan) and Sheela (Katrina Kaif) are conspicuous by their absence in the list this year, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan more than make it up with their nominations.
Ooh la la
The nominations for the most talked-about item songs in films released in 2011.
Chammak challo (RA.One) - Kareena Kapoor
Ooh la la, Ooh la la (The Dirty Picture) - Vidya Balan
Dum Maaro Dum (Dum Maaro Dum) - Deepika Padukone
Jalebi bai (Double Dhamaal) - Mallika Sherawat
Tere pyaar ne kar diya deewana (Delhi Belly) - Aamir Khan
Character Dheela (Ready) - Salman Khan/Zareen Khan
Zara Kareeb Se (Murder 2) - Yana Gupta
'Chammak Challo' Kareena Kapoor speaks after topping our poll...
The Chammak challo track is rated as the best item number of 2011 in the Mid-day poll.
Did you expect it to win?
When we were shooting Chammak challo, I instantly fell in love with the track. It has that kind of beat and that feel to it. Also the look of the song, the outfit and desi avatar worked for me. Nightclubs in South India and London don't normally play Hindi music.
I am told Chammak challo is the only track that plays in those night clubs, also in Chennai and Hyderabad. My college friends tell me that it plays constantly in Mumbai nightclubs too.
Do people call you Chammak challo after the release of the song?
It happens all the time. Lot of actors and friends call me Chammak challo. I love it.
Are you aiming for one item song like this every year?
I don't make any such plans. I am an actress. Acting is my passion. There is no Hindi movie complete without the heroine actually shaking her booty.
So it's important that a heroine should be able to dance, to make people cry and laugh and absolutely look good at the same time. It's a deadly combination.
What was Saif's reaction when he saw the number for the first time?
He hasn't seen the film yet. He has seen the song on TV. He told me that it's great and he loved the track. He didn't say anything special. I think he takes it a little bit for granted. (Laughs) Since New Year is around the corner, are you getting a lot of offers to perform?
As a rule, I don't perform on the New Year's Eve. That's my private time with my family and I don't like performing at the five star hotels and weddings.
I don't think my parents are comfortable with that. That's something Saif and I have decided not to do. But I enjoy dancing at award shows.
Who is your favourite item girl?
Helen Aunty and Malaika (Arora). Both are extremely vivacious and sensuous.
Helen Aunty is a living legend and Malaika is one of the finest dancers and one of the sexiest women I have known.
Besides, she is my dear friend.
