Dawn Images

Shabana Azmi has a problem with item numbers, and their influence on children.

Speaking at a panel at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry FICCI-Frames, the veteran actor made a reference to Kareena Kapoor Khan's song 'Fevicol Se' in Dabangg 2, and argued that even mouthing lines to such item songs is problematic.

"Please be informed, when you say 'main tandoori murgi hu, gatka lo mujhe alcohol kay saath and a four-year-old girl is dancing to it, you are leading to the sexualisation of children and the parents who are enjoying it, people who are encouraging her are just as responsible," said the Neerja star.

Explaining her point further, Azmi said that doing item numbers allows oneself to be objectified and surrenders to the male gaze.

"I have strong views on item numbers because they are not part of the narrative and they've been put in a film for the only purpose of titillation and nothing else," said Azmi.

"When a girl or a leading lady says 'it's alright, I want to celebrate my sensuality,' I have no problem with that. I think that's wonderful. But under the pretense of 'celebrating your sensuality' what you are actually doing is surrendering to the male gaze and objectifying yourselves because the business of cinema is of images."

She even pointed out that showing a woman's "fragmented bits of her body, heaving bosom, swinging navel, shaking hip," rob her of her whole anatomy.