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Abhinav Kashyap revealed that Arbaaz Khan was also hesitant about Malaika Arora being an ‘item girl’.
Malaika Arora was married to Arbaaz Khan back then.
As Dabangg nears its 15th anniversary, filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap opened up about Malaika Arora’s popular item song, Munni Badnaam. In a conversation with SCREEN, Abhinav revealed that Arbaaz was hesistant about his then-wife Malaika doing an item number, and Salman Khan had qualms about her outfit. However, Malaika held her own and the song became a mega hit.
Abhinav Kashyap said, “Arbaaz wasn’t keen about Malaika doing it. He didn’t like the fact that his wife will be labelled as an ‘item girl’. Arbaaz and Salman, no matter whatever they say, are actually very conservative Muslims. Malaika also had her own differences with Salman over her outfits. They want their women covered up. So, they didn’t want her to do the item song.”
The director added, “But Malaika is a strong and independent woman; she makes her own choices. When she was offered this, she said yes. It took some persuasion for Arbaaz to agree. She told him that it’s nothing vulgar, just dancing only, and it’s all family around in the song, what are you scared of? And of course, that song went on to break so many records.”
“Malaika was very famous for her songs like Chaiyyaa Chaiyyaa and Hoth Rasiley. She didn’t do much acting roles. We needed someone who can carry the song well on her shoulders. She is a great dancer. Someone who is less on the camera, people get more curious to see them,” Abhinav shared.
“The song turned out so well. When Salman heard it, he said that he also wants to be a part of it. He was initially supposed to arrive right after the song, Sonu would be partying till then. Just like how it was shown in Sholay’s ‘Mehbooba’, when Amjad Khan is enjoying. I had the same vision. It was a great opportunity to put a song. On one hand, the police is spreading a trap and the villain is enjoying on the other hand. But then, Salman insisted that this is the best song, I have to be in it. So, I made him arrive a paragraph before in the song,” the director revealed.
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-…Read More
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-… Read More
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September 08, 2025, 21:44 IST
