Patcy N in Mumbai
Actress Chitrangada Singh is all set to dazzle with her first item number in Shirish Kunder's Joker that hits the marquee tomorrow.
Mainstream actresses may be taking this new onscreen avatar more seriously now but it wasn't always so. Long before they were christened 'item songs', these dance numbers were popularised by actresses who were known for their sizzling dance performances in films.
Here's looking at the original item girls of Bollywood. Vote for your favourite at the end of the slideshow!
Helen
Helen was the undisputed dancing queen of her time. She made her Bollywood debut in 1951 and rose to stardom with songs like Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu from Howrah Bridge and Mungda from Inkaar.
Some of the popular songs of her career: Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu from Howrah Bridge, Oyee Maa Oyee Maa Yeh Kya Ho Gaya from Paras Mani, Gham Chhod ke Manao Rang Relly from Gumnaam, O Haseena Zulfowali from Teesri Manzil, Aa Jaane Jaan from Intequam, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja from Caravan, Aaj Ki Raat Koi Aane Ko Hai from Anamika, Mehbooba Mehbooba from Sholay, Mungda Main Gud Ki Dali from Inkaar, Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Diwana from Don.
Aruna Irani
She started her career as a child artist and went on to become one of the hottest item girls.
She also acted as the lead opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Bombay to Goa when he had just started her career.
She also acted as the lead opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Bombay to Goa when he had just started her career.
Some of the popular song of her career: Dilbar Dil Se Pyare, Ab Jo Mile Hain, Goriya Kahan Tera Des and Chadhti Jawani from Carvan, Sapna Mera Toot Gaya from Khel Khel Mein, Baar Baar Din Yeh Aaye and Tumse O Haseena Kabhi from Farz, Ae Phassa from Bobby, Meri Beri Ke Ber Mat Todo and Anokhi Raat
Bindu
Bindu came a close third after Helen and Aruna Irani. She was the first married actress to do dance sequences in films.
She was also a good actress but got few significant roles in her time.
She was also a good actress but got few significant roles in her time.
Some of the popular song of her career: Dil jalon Ka Dil Jala Ke from Zanjeer, Mera Naam Shabnam from Kati Patang, Main Hoon Hasseen from Harfan Maula, Apne Dil Mein Jagah from Hawas, Aa Ke Dard Jawan Hai from Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye, Gori Gori from Main Hoon Na
Mumtaz
Mumtaz entered films with B-Grade movies but quickly graduated to doing films with A-list actors like Rajesh Khanna.
The gorgeous girl got her first big film with Ram Aur Shyam.
Some of the popular song of her career: Aaj Kal Tere Mere from Brahmachari, Duniya Mein Logon Ko from Apna Desh, Zindagi Ittefaq Hai from Aadmi Aur Insaan, Koi Sehari Babu from Loafer, Yeh Hai Reshmi from Mere Sanam
Kalpana Iyer
Former Miss India Kalpana Iyer was a famous vamp of the 1980s and 90s. She was roped in most of the movies for her sensuous dancing style.
Some of the popular song of her career: Hari om Hari from Pyaara Dushman, Rambha Ho from Armaan, Aaj Mera Dil Jhoom from Chor Police, Jab Chahe Mera Jadoo from Lootmaar, Tu Mujhe Jaan from Wardaat
Asha Sachdev
The bold and daring girl of 1970s started her career with B-grade movies but turned out to be the most popular item girl of her time who could also work skimpy clothes.
Her song in Woh Main Nahi was quite progressive for its time.
Her song in Woh Main Nahi was quite progressive for its time.
Some of the popular song of her career: Band Kamren Mein from Agent Vinod, Tujhe Maroongi Phoolon Ki Maar from Nakhuda, Hothon Se Kahin Lootaye Tarane Hai Maine from Woh Main Nahi
Laxmi Chhaya
Laxmi Chhaya just did 55 films in her career, most of her films were known for her dance in the 1960s and 70s.
She is best known for her dance in the song Jaan Pehechan Ho from the film Gumnaam which was used in the opening credits of Hollywood film Ghost World.
Some of the popular song of her career: Maar Diya Jaaye and Hai Sharmaaoon, Aaya Aaya Atariya Pe Koi Chor from Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Main Sharab Bechti Hoon from Raaste Ka Patthar, Le Le Yeh Dil Ka Nagina from Ek Khiladi Bawan Pattey, Jaan Pehechan Ho from Gumnaam .
Jayashree T
Jayashree Talpade began her career in Goonj Uthi Shehnai at the age of five.
By the time she turned 15, she had transformed into a good dancer and director Amit Bose cast her as a dancer in his film Abhilasha in 1968.
She has danced in more than 500 movies in the 1970s and the 80s.
Some of the popular song of her career: Reshmi Ujala Hai from Sharmilee, Naach Meri Jaan Fataafat from Main Sundar Hoon, Jab Se Tere Mere Man Mein from Mem Saab
Padma Khanna
Padma Khanna made her debut at the age of 21 in Bhojpuri films but she decided to go back home and complete her studies.
She returned nine year later with a cabaret dance in Johny Mera Naam.
Some of the popular song of her career: Husn Ke Lakhon Rang from Johnny Mera Naam, Ni Main Yaar Manana Ni from Daag, Ae Yaar Mujhe Thaam from Chingari, Hai Raat Pyaasi from Chatpatee, Aapka Sarkar Kya Kuchh Kho Gaya from Hera Pheri
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