Item numbers often face criticism, with many arguing that their lyrics objectify women and perpetuate misogynistic views. However, director Amar Kaushik, whose film Stree 2 features an item song, Aaj Ki Raat, with feminist undertone, feels they can be a device to serve the film’s message while taking the narrative forward. He feels it’s possible to deliver a “masala film with an item song” while maintaining thoughtful content in the lyrics.

“There’s no denying that people come to theatres to watch item songs. However, I wanted to ensure it served the storyline without compromising on quality or respectfulness. Logon ko lagta hai item song hai toh gande bol hi hone chahiye. But I was clear that while the song should be entertaining, it should have meaningful lyrics,” he says.

The 41-year-old, who has directed movies such as Bala (2019) and Bhediya (2022), adds that he was sure to not go below the belt in the garb of an item song. “Cheezein politically correct honi chahiye. Aap bolo aap jo bolna chahte ho aur adayein bhi honi chahiye, lekin jab aap lyrics suno toh lagey, ‘Yeh toh badi baat bol di’,” he explains.

Is this a way of challenging patriarchy that’s often the core of most item songs? “If you look closely at my films, women have agency in them,” he says, adding, “Main behnon ke saath bada hua hoon aur maine unka struggle dekha hai. Woh sab kuch aapke zehen mein hota hai and then when you make a film, you cannot portray it (women’s struggles) as ‘normal’.”