In Bollywood, an item song is considered a sure-shot way of attracting an audience to the theater. A hit song and dance number with sensuous moves is what stimulates a certain group of the audience to make a bee-line to the theaters.
Not surprisingly, over the years so many hit numbers have come out with hot and sizzling actresses delivering top-notch performances as item girls. In recent times, item songs by Malaika Arora and Nora Fatehi have been big hits. Malaika’s “Munni badnam hui” from Dabangg is today one of the biggest hits. From then on it seems Nora Fatehi has taken over as the item song girl delivering famous hits like Hai Garmi, Dilbar Dilbar, and Saki Saki. Katrina Kaif has also emerged as one of the most fabulous dancers in Bollywood with hits like Chikani Chameli and Sheila Ki Jawani.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu is highest paid item girl
While both Malaika and Nora must have been paid a good amount for item songs, it is Tollywood beauty Samantha Ruth Prabhu who clinched a hefty deal when she gave a nod for “O Antava” song from Pushpa: The Rise. Although Sam played some bold roles in Tollywood films, she had never done a dance number that was so hot and sensuous before this song.
Moreover, she is not an accomplished dancer. Importantly, when she was offered this item song from Pushpa 1 she was going through her divorce with Naga Chaitanya and was advised against doing the song by family members and friends.
Even then Samantha accepted the challenge and demanded Rs 5 crore for just one song which usually is the paycheck most of the actresses both in Bollywood and South take home for doing a complete movie. DNA reports that regular item song dancers like Sunny Leone and Nora Fatehi charge anywhere around 1 to 2 crore for a song. Kareena Kapoor Khan took 1.5 crores for her item song in Dabangg 2 whereas Katrina Kaif charged 2 crores for her hit item numbers.
Ironically, Rashmika Mandanna who was the lead female actor of Pushpa: The Rise charged 2 crores for the movie and Samantha was paid more than double her fees just for an item number.
It worked both for Pushpa 1 and Sam
The song “O Antava” worked well both for the movie as well as for Samantha. It became a big hit and fans loved the sensuous moves of Allu Arjun and Sam. Interestingly, the Shaakuntalam actress who gained pan India recognition in 2021 with The Family Man 2 became a household name across the country with this song.