Item numbers must be situational: Shabana Azmi

“For instance the ‘Beedi’ song from the film ‘Omkara’ (pictured on Bipasha Basu) was fantastic. It had robust energy. It should not be like they (women) are surrendering to males,” she said.

Newbie Parineeti Chopra,who was also present at the event,echoed similar sentiments.

“Even the song ‘Jhalla Walla’ from my film ‘Ishaqzaade’ was an item number,which had two girls dancing in front of men,was not titilate them. I am not saying item numbers should be stopped…I hope there won’t be useless stuff five years down the line,” Parineeti said.

Both the actresses feel that the portrayal of women in Hindi cinema has changed over a period of time. “The heroine in Hindi films has travelled much,but needs to travel further. Cinema reflects society,hence we get to see working women roles in films today,which is a good thing,” Shabana said.

“There has been a transition. There are writer,directors and producers,who are ready to write roles for women,” Parineeti said.

Shabana and Parineeti were the chief guest at the launch of Bhavna Somaya’s book titled ‘Mother Maiden Mistress’. Director Habib Faisal and playback singer Alka Yagnik were also present.