item girl

n. in Indian cinema, a woman who appears in an item song; (hence) a female actress, singer, or dancer, esp. one who is poised to become a star. Subjects: English, India, Entertainment, Movies, Music

Editorial Note: An item song or item number is a musical performance that has little do with the film in which it appears, but is presented mainly to showcase beautiful dancing women, to promote a song, or to lend marketability to a film. Item numbers often have a life on stage long after a movie has left theaters. There appears to be some confluence with the term “it” girl, to signify someone who is much talked about or sought after.

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Citations: 2000 Lata Khubchandani Times of India (Oct. 29) “I was almost finished”: Shilpa Shetty tells Lata Khubchandani that she’s happy to have abandoned her “item song” reputation and rebuilt her career from scratch. The one-time “item” girl has suddenly become one of the most sought after actresses in Bollywood. 2002 Indian Express (India) (Oct. 6) “Are You Mad About Antara Mali?”: For instance, it is believed Varma is yet to recover from Bollywood’s applause for the bestowal from his stable—the redesigned Matondkar to item-girl Isha. 2004 Kerala News (India) (Oct. 4) “Bollywood starlets head for Nepal to chill out” (in Kathmandu, Nepal): Upcoming performers who start their careers in the Hindi film industry by doing dance numbers in films or music videos—“item girls” in Bollywood parlance—are now becoming part of Kathmandu’s entertainment scenario as well. 2005 Jhumari Nigam Times of India (June 27) “Straight answers”: We don’t have just “item girls” but “item boys” as well. And why not? After all, a star is a commodity that helps to sell a film.

Posted 5 Oct 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend