The first song ‘Item Number’ from the upcoming Ahsan Rahim film was unveiled at a glitzy ceremony, attended by the likes of Fawad Khan, Hadiqa Kiani, Ali Azmat and many more.
The film and music fraternity, along with Ali Zafar’s family and friends were seated front row for Teefa in Trouble’s music launch in Lahore this past week. One could see Fawad Khan, Ali Azmat, Resham, Hadiqa Kiani and others in attendance. All of whom had come to support Zafar with the film that is being touted to have many firsts.
It is the first Pakistani film shot in the rather far locality of Poland, Warsaw. It will also be the directorial debut of Ahsan Rahim, who has done many of Ali Zafar’s music videos but never a film.
Rahim has previously worked on videos such as ‘Laga Re’ and ‘Qismat Apnay Haat Mein’ by Shehzad Roy, ‘Sajania’ by Ali Zafar, ‘Preeto’ by Abrar ul Haq and the popular Ufone ads. It is also Diyar-e-Dil favourite, Maya Ali’s first film and Ali Zafar’s, who was last seen on the big screen in the Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt-starrer, Dear Zindagi. While none of his movies have been Pakistani before this, he has made relations across the border. Shaad Ali, who directed Zafar’s Kill Dil also came from India for the launch.
The song they launched this past week is titled ‘Item Number’ which is a play on what they have become to movies from this part of the world. Naqash Haider who’s done the music said, “When Ali called me and discussed the idea of an item number, the first thing that came to my mind: ‘Sheila ki Jawani’? But he had a completely different take on it when he made me hear the lyrics he had written and I was in fits; that’s what was really exciting for me. It’s an item number with a twist!” said Naqash Haider. ‘Item Number’ has been (written and) sung by Ali Zafar who is joined on the song by singing sensation Aima Baig.
Munib Nawaz, host for the night, launched proceedings by saying – “is it an item number or is it not?” which elicited a giggle or two from Maya Ali. Being dubbed “the biggest non item number ever”, the lyrics say “mein item number nahee karoon gi, tu ne jo karna hai kar waalay” and in reply “tu dance nahee khul ke karay gee tou cinema mein picture kaisay chalay gi”.
The song plays on how crucial some people consider the infamous item number for a movie’s success. Slowly however, many actors have started taking a stand against being referred to as an ‘item’, and being used to attract largely-male audiences to theatres. These songs often do nothing to advance the plot and possibly alienate a significant number of viewers. There was a long time where item numbers were considered almost ‘mandatory’ which is why the lyrics of the song hit home. It’s an upbeat, dance-y song with a slick production and Nabila’s given Ali and Maya an edgy look unlike what either of them have looked like recently. The song’s video has been choreographed by Feroz Khan, who choreographed ‘Maa Da Laadla’ from Dostana and ‘Move Your Body’ from Johnny Gaddaar. The dance moves are memorable, the lyrics are catchy – we predict the song will be doing rounds during the wedding season circuit.
