Why Item Songs still exist despite all the backlash?

Let’s get this straight every few months, Bollywood item songs get dragged on the internet. Twitter threads, Instagram rants, think pieces, cancel culture vibes… you name it. Yet somehow, every big movie still sneaks in an item number like it’s mandatory attendance. So the big question is: agar sabko problem hai, toh item songs jaate kyun nahi?

Short answer? Because Bollywood runs on hype, not hashtags.

Item Songs = Instant Virality!

Whether we like it or not, item songs are algorithm food. One catchy hook step, one bold outfit, one remix-friendly beat — and boom, Instagram Reels are flooded.

• Nora Fatehi steps → wedding choreography unlocked

• Katrina’s “Sheila” → college fests for YEARS

• Samantha’s “Oo Antava” → pan-India obsession

People might criticise item songs on Twitter but secretly save the audio for reels. Hypocrisy? Maybe. Reality? Definitely.

Box Office Maths Doesn’t Care About Moral Debates

Bollywood producers are not sitting with chai discussing feminism theories. They’re doing numbers math.

Item songs help with:

• Pre-release buzz

• Music views crossing millions

• Mass appeal in single-screen theatres

• Free marketing (thanks to memes & reels)

For many films, the item song is literally the only thing people remember. Sad? Yes. Effective? Also yes.

Audience Says One Thing, Watches Another

Let’s be honest bestie — if item songs truly flopped, Bollywood would’ve dropped them faster than Orkut.

But reality check:

• Views = high

• Streams = crazy

• Dance covers = everywhere

Online we say “objectification bad”, offline we’re vibing to the hook step at weddings. Bollywood just follows consumer behaviour, not Instagram captions.

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab! (FAQs)

Q1. Why do item songs still exist despite criticism? Because they bring instant visibility, money, and viral traction. Criticism doesn’t hurt box office numbers enough.

Q2. Are item songs harmful or empowering? Depends on execution. Some feel objectifying, others are defended as choice-based performances by actresses.

Q3. Does the audience actually want item songs? Yes and no. People criticise them publicly but consume them privately — and Bollywood notices that.

Q4. Can Bollywood survive without item songs? Absolutely. But producers think it’s a “safe formula”, especially for mass films.