Saroj Khan: Item Songs Spice Up Bollywood Like Pickles

In a past interview, acclaimed choreographer Saroj Khan, fondly known as the "Mother of Dance in India," discussed the significance of "item songs" in commercial Bollywood cinema. Khan drew a parallel between these energetic dance sequences and pickles, highlighting their importance in enhancing audience enjoyment and contributing to a film's success. She articulated that item songs are primarily designed to appeal to the "front-benchers," a core segment of the audience that drives box office performance.

Khan candidly addressed the business aspect, noting that while some audiences, perhaps the more elite viewers, might not be drawn to them, the "front-benchers" are crucial ticket buyers. Her perspective underscored the necessity of catering to public taste to ensure a film's commercial viability. The choreographer made these remarks while working on the song 'Aankh Ladale' for the 2002 film 'Vadh'.