Of course, Ramya isn’t doing an item number: Kayitha Lankesh

First of all I hate the term ‘item’ number! As a woman filmmaker I would never have an ‘item’ number in any of my films. Any song and dance in an Indian film is primarily for entertainment and rarely are songs part of a narrative. But all my songs carry forward the story. As an award winning filmmaker, I have some social responsibility as well as sensibility  in all my films.

Secondly, I haven’t had item numbers in any of my films. In fact, when Bhavana did a song called Kabbina Jalle in my film Preethi, Prema, Pranaya  people saw the stills and thought it was an item number. But, when they saw the film in its entirety they realised it carried the film forward and represented the physical relationship of a couple. Item numbers are popular for unnecessary skin show and people who have watched my films know that I don’t have to resort to that. Ramya needn’t expose and do an item number for my film, which is a family-oriented comedy.

I requested Ramya to do a special song in my film. Actually, it is such a cute and peppy number that my seven-year-old daughter and her friends know it by heart! Ramya is a good friend of mine ever since Tananam Tananam, which fetched her her first ever award. Knowing Ramya and her body of work it is not appropriate to call it an item number. If Ramya does do my song, it is an added attraction for my film. But if she does not, I understand simply because the media might brand her as an item girl.

Though, I highly doubt that will happen, because she is one of the few female actors in this male-dominated industry who can call the shot. Anyway, whether Ramya will do my song will be known shortly. I will be happy if she does it; if not, another name will be announced soon.