Sarah Khan Expresses Her Hate For Item Song Culture in Lollywood

While many Pakistani celebrities believe item songs help movies score big on the box office, there are a few who are against this prevailing culture.

Last week, Hamza Ali Abbasi expressed his concerns on the culture of item songs in Lollywood movies. His comments, made during a talent show on a private TV channel, sparked a debate on social media – and actress Sarah Ali Khan is the latest to join this debate.

No Item Numbers Please

While speaking to a local TV channel, Sarah revealed that she had been offered several films but made it clear that she would neither wear revealing clothes nor perform item numbers.

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Sarah said she was open to working in films, but only if they conform to social norms. She insisted that item songs were not the only secret ingredient to make a movie successful.

“What I believe is that for a film to score big, all you need is good actors, a good director, and a well-written script.”

The ‘Tumhare Hain’ actor explained that she wasn’t against singing and dancing as they were also a form of art.

“I don’t think singing and dancing are wrong, but what I am against is the mentality that forces women to think that to look attractive they have to dress in a certain way, dance to certain songs, or make certain expressions.”

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“We are women, we are better than this, and we are mothers of mankind, so it isn’t justified for a woman to say that to prove her talent she has to perform on an item song, be it internationally or locally.”

Mehwish Hayat’s Take On the Debate

Tamgha-e-Imtiaz recipient Mehwish Hayat had differing views regarding the use of item songs in movies. She defended her right to perform item numbers.

Mehwish has performed two item songs – Chirya’ in ‘Chhalawa’ and ‘Gangster Guriya’ in Baaji. Her view is that at the end of the day, artists can choose what they want to work on.

She said:

To do these dance numbers has been my choice. As an actress and performer it is my job. As a woman I find my work empowering. Dance to me is aesthetically the purest form of art. https://t.co/KzGNoXJXhU
Incase you’ve missed it here’s the link ☝🏻

— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) June 21, 2019

In a rare example of camadarie between two showbiz stars, Sarah agreed with Mehwish’s choice:

“Just like it’s my personal choice not to perform an item song, it’s other actors choice to perform item songs too. I am no one to criticize or to judge others choices.”

When asked if she had a piece of advice for aspiring artists, she said young talent should learn to say no!

“Women should know when, where and how she has to say no.”