None of the actresses after Helen have made a song look as graceful as she did, but there are some of them who have added the spice factor to the movies. These actresses have not only danced their way to stardom, but also have made sure their fans have increased to millions!
Bindu
Another legend! Bindu was and still is one of the most gorgeous actresses and dancers of all time. Her sizzling chemistry with Amitabh Bacchan in Abhimaan, Gehri Chaal and many more movies are still watched by movie lovers. Though she was born to a film producer, she had to start early as her father was in debts. She acted as a college going student in the movie Anpadh at just the age of 11. Post which she was flooded with offers to play a villainous role and of course item songs which we can’t stop humming. Bindu (thankfully) still plays supporting roles in movies and was last seen in Om Shanti Om, Main Hoon Na and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun! We just can’t get enough of her!
Popular Songs: Mera Naam Hai Shabnam, Hungama Ho Gaya
Silk Smitha
Born in a small town of Eluru, Vijayalakshmi fought against all odds and traveled to Madras to realize her dreams. Popularly known as Silk Smitha, she still leaves people in awe whenever her song comes by. Unfortunately the actress committed suicide in 1996 leaving a vacuum in the South film industry. Her seductive scene in Moondram Pirai (Sadma in Hindi) with Kamal Haasan is definitely one of the best scenes of the late actress. Dirty Picture was filmed as a tribute to the actress and Vidya Balan rocked the performance as Silk! She also won a National award for the movie! How do we say how much we miss her? RIP.
Popular Songs: Nethu rathiri yamma, Pesa koodathu
Malaika Arora Khan
Helen’s daughter-in-law Malaika Arora Khan is definitely the most popular ‘item girl’ of this era. When she danced on the train with Shah Rukh Khan in Dil se for the song Chaiyya Chaiyya, she just won a million hearts. A R Rahman’s song smashed all records and gave the industry a great dancer. Her songs in Dabangg and many other Bollywood and Tollywood movies topped the charts. She was also a successful model and has tried her hand at acting. However, she’s doing what she is best at! We love her!!!!
Popular Songs: Munni Badnaam Hui, Anarkali Disco Chali
Mumaith Khan
Mumaith is the most successful ‘item girl’ of Tollywood movies. Her energy levels are unmatched and she was featured in numerous movies with Superstar Mahesh Babu. Her song with Jimmy Shergill, Dekh Le in Munnabhai MBBS was one of the main selling points of the blockbuster. She’s a Pakistan-born Mumbai girl, and has brilliant dancing skills. Mumaith also performed in many pop songs in the late 2000s.
Popular Songs: Na Peru Meena Kumari, Ippatikinka Na Vayasu
Disco Shanti
As her name suggests, Disco Shanti was popular during the disco era of the 80s. She acted and danced in item songs for several Telugu and Hindi movies. With over 100 movies, she became a household name in the South. She was known for her ‘thunder thighs’ and seductive performances. Later in 1996 she married popular Telugu actor Srihari, who passed away in 2011 and bid goodbye to her movie career. Many references in the movie Dirty Picture were made towards Shanti whose arrival left Silk Smitha worrying for her career.
Popular Songs: Amalapuram Bullodu, Bangaru Kodi Petta
Sunny Leone
By far the most graceful dancer, performer of today, Sunny Leone! She wasn’t very popular when she just arrived in the film industry due to her pornstar career in the past! However, her stint at Big Boss opened many doors for her in Bollywood. Audiences loved her simplicity and genuineness. She’s respected, loved and of course drooled over by both the genders. She was also the most searched person online last year, beating everyone else. Her movies have a certain audience, but no one can beat her hotness on screen! We love seeing her moves on screen! She’s also doing an item number with King Khan in his next movie Raees!
Popular Songs: Baby Doll, Chaar Bottle Vodka
Mallika Sherawat
Mallika, a name which will forever be remembered for boldness and sexiness. Mallika Sherawat was predominantly an actress who din’t need an item girl to spice up her movies. She was enough! Born and brought in a small town in Haryana, stuck in a loveless marriage and fighting against her own family, made her journey quite rocky! She’s now acting in a couple of International movies and gracing the red carpet at Cannes each year! Wish we could see more of her.
Popular Songs: Mayya Mayya, Jalebi Bai
