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Have you seen the cowboy type of films starring actor Jaishankar? In most of the films, his parents would have been murdered. His sister would have been raped. To take revenge on the villain, Jaishankar will roam the forests and hills. He will generally get tips about the villain at a hotel. As he sips a cool drink with a straw, the drums will start to peal. Color lights will blink. A smoke machine will puff out smoke, and as it clears, you can see a cabaret dancer clad in a shimmering costume. Doing her energetic steps, she will fall on Jaishankar's neck and embrace him. A small note stuck in her small bustier will reveal information to Jaishankar about the villain. Or else, the villain's men will turn off the main switch after the song ends and start a gun fight.
Whatever, there is no interruption till the song ends.
These special cabaret numbers were famous during the 70s. There were special actresses specializing in these cabaret dances.
The fans used to get cigarettes specially to watch these dances and these dances were also an attraction to draw viewers to see the film, such was the glamour of these dancers.
At a time when T A Madhuram, V N Janaki, Devika, Bhanumati and Padmini were wrapped all around in a 16 yard sari, it was ladies like Jothilakshmi, who attracted the wolf whistles in theatres. Tiny bustier, a dangerously low hipped mini skirt and a camera angle from the foot upwards…what else did the Jothilakshmi fans need…?
The other glamour girl to sizzle in item numbers was Jayamalini. She is Jothilakshmi's sister and made her film debut in 'Jaganmohini' as heroine. She was heroine only in name, because through out the film, she had to wear sexy outfits. Because of that, she did not get any more film offers. Instead after she did an item number, she was flooded with offers to do such roles and she reigned as a sexy dancer for 8 years.
In this time frame, one heroine who eclipsed everybody with her big eyes, come hither looks and pouting lips was Silk Smitha. She started a new chapter in films with her brand of sex appeal. She first acted in cameraman Ashok Kumar's 'Anru Peydha Mazhayil' and overnight become the dream girl for many a young man. It was Silk, Silk all the way!
The new blooms that followed in her style were Anuradha, Disco Shanthi, Kuyili, Babitha and others. But their popularity was short lived.
One reason was, young directors put a stop to featuring club dances.
Secondly, the heroines themselves started to perform sexy dances. You could call it globalization! When heroines were ready to do item numbers, item number dancers found the doors to films shut on them.
At the height of her popularity, Khushboo danced for a song in 'Indu.' Without the least hesitation, Simran agreed and danced a sexy number in 'Youth,' 'Daya' and 'Andhapuram' to name a few films. This finally removed any stigma on heroines doing sensual numbers in their films.
Directors believed it lent more credence when top heroines danced to the item numbers themselves. In Mumbai, big stars have taken the place of the yesteryear item girls.
From Sushmita Sen and Shilpa Shetty to Yana Gupta, Linda and Rahasiya, we can see all them all in Tamil films. Because of that, today's Jothilakshmi and Jayamalaini like Alfonsa, Babylonia and Abhinayasri are seeking work in other avenues.
The out of town dancing heroines get paid 5 times more than our local stars. Apart from that are 5 star hotel rooms and flight expenses. To make their film seem rich, producers give preference to the Mumbai beauties.
When heroines need work and money and need to remain in the public eye, the shortest route is to do item numbers.
Vindhya in 'Aasai Aasaiyaai,' Mumtaj in 'Rojakoottam' and other films, Ramba in 'Sukran,' 'Azhagiya Theeye' and 'Chathrapathi,' Kiran in 'Arasu' and 'Chinna' have all done one item number in each film.
Because of the invasion of these young ladies and this new wave sweeping filmdom, dancers of yesteryears have lost their market in films. Those like Abhinayasri get opportunities only once in a blue moon.
If sexy numbers totally disappear from Tamil films, the standard of our films will improve - at least marginally.
Will producers and directors kindly take note?
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-02.08.2005