In 1958, the actress Helen Jairag Richardson, better known by her screen name Helen, performed Bollywood's first "item song", the now well-known Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu, in the film Howrah Bridge. Since then, the Hindi film industry has showcased thousands of item numbers - highly choreographed, titillating performances to a catchy song - that have no bearing on the films in which they appear, being only a marketing tool to attract audiences.
"Katrina Kaif is an excellent example of someone who attracts a large number of people to a film when she does an item number," says Sunny D, a guitarist for the UK-based Asian band The 107, and an avid Bollywood fan.
Although Kaif's 2010 comedy Tees Maar Khan did not do well at the box office, her song Sheila Ki Jawani was a big hit in record stores, on the radio and among web downloads. In fact, the performance gained more awards than the film itself, including a Zee Cine Award for best choreography.
"Even if her fans are not interested in the film, they will go to see it for her performance," says D.
The trend has lent big support to Hindi films, according to Jasleen Bhambra, a professional Indian dancer based in London: item numbers attract more viewers, leading to high ticket sales, which translate into enormous earnings for the producers and studios, who then invest in new projects.
"Bollywood really is all about music, so what better way than to market a film with a song that people can't get out of their heads? Pair the song with an attractive girl, and the film is a winner," says Bhambra. "My favourite is the actress Malaika Arora Khan in the song Munni Badnam Hui from the Salman Khan-starrer Dabangg."
In the 1980s and 1990s, item numbers were seen as a way for newcomers to break into the film industry. The past decade, however, has seen even established actresses, such as Kareena Kapoor (Ra One, 2011) and Vidya Balan (Ferrari Ki Sawaari, 2012), taking advantage of the trend's capability to catapult their careers to great heights.
A-list actresses are paid large amounts of money to perform such sequences, especially since the producers regard them as an "investment". Mallika Sherawat admitted to receiving 10 million rupees (Dh660,000) to dance to the song Kalasala Kalasala in the 2011 film Osthi, a Tamil remake of Dabangg.
"Besides the monetary gain, it keeps these actresses in the public eye and in directors' minds [for future projects]," D explains.
Item numbers have also long been a target of controversy. When Helen's performance premiered in theatres, both the actress and the film producers were criticised for supposedly objectifying women. In recent years, similar criticism has been directed at several films with raunchy item numbers.
"But these songs are slowly becoming more about the music and the choreography and less about the girl," says Bhambra.
In the past decade, male actors have also made appearances in item songs, including Shah Rukh Khan (Kaal, 2005) and Hrithik Roshan (Krazzy 4, 2008).
"Performing an item number helps the actors to stay current, although sometimes many of the top stars do it as a favour to the directors," says D. "I watched Kaal only because Shah Rukh Khan did an item number in it. So these songs obviously are doing what they are meant to."
Three memorable item songs
Chaiyya Chaiyya – Dil Se (1998)
This was Malaika Arora Khan's item song debut, composed by A R Rahman. In 2003, the BBC conducted an international poll to choose the 10 most popular songs of all time – Chaiyya Chaiyya ranked ninth.
Kajra Re – Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
Aishwarya Rai did this item number to promote the comedy starring the father-son duo Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan (who she married two years later). The film went on to become one of the biggest blockbuster hits that year. The song won two Filmfare awards, among others.
Sheila Ki Jawani – Tees Maar Khan (2010)
Featuring Katrina Kaif and choreographed by Farah Khan, the song took the industry by storm and is considered to be one of the most popular item numbers in recent years. With its catchy tune and glamorous costumes, it was such a huge hit that it outshone the movie, and went on to scoop up a few awards, too.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Opening Premier League fixtures, August 14
- Brentford v Arsenal
- Burnley v Brighton
- Chelsea v Crystal Palace
- Everton v Southampton
- Leicester City v Wolves
- Manchester United v Leeds United
- Newcastle United v West Ham United
- Norwich City v Liverpool
- Tottenham v Manchester City
- Watford v Aston Villa
The biog
Occupation: Key marker and auto electrician
Hometown: Ghazala, Syria
Date of arrival in Abu Dhabi: May 15, 1978
Family: 11 siblings, a wife, three sons and one daughter
Favourite place in UAE: Abu Dhabi
Favourite hobby: I like to do a mix of things, like listening to poetry for example.
Favourite Syrian artist: Sabah Fakhri, a tenor from Aleppo
Favourite food: fresh fish
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
