Due to the Thanksgiving weekend, we are posting our "Friday Five" a few days early. Enjoy!
Twitter was all a-buzz a few weeks ago when Farah Khan announced that Malaika Arora Khan would make a special appearance in the film Happy New Year (#HNY).
15 yrs after chaiyyan chaiyyan..smthngs never change..malaika,still as stunning,hard working n punctual!! pic.twitter.com/CeDlScHGw2
— Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) October 29, 2013
Having performed in three highly successful item numbers with Shah Rukh Khan - "Chaiyya Chaiyya", "Kaal Dhamaal", and ensemble "Deewangi Deewangi" - all choreographed by Farah Khan, fans look forward to seeing what this trio will present in #HNY.
The #HNY ensemble cast - Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Vivaan Shah, and Sonu Sood - have already filmed several important item numbers for the film. "Farah has said dancing in this film will be difficult. We are working on this film and its great fun," explained Shah Rukh Khan (The Indian Express). He also offered this humorous tweet:
I have come to the conclusion there is no better dancer in the world than me, except Abhishek,Boman,Sonu, Vivaan when it comes to Bolshoi.
— SHAH RUKH KHAN (@iamsrk) November 15, 2013
Farah Khan has choreographed dance routines for more than a hundred songs in over 80 films. Her style is entertaining because she offers the audience something new and delightful with each performance. She also displays a charming sense of humor through her choreography.
Here are 5 entertaining item numbers choreographed by Farah Khan that make us smile, sing, and dance along.
"Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane"
Film: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Release Date: 20 October 1995
Music by: Jatin Lalit; Lyrics by: Anand Bakshi
Sung By: Udit Narayan
Picturized on: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol
Why I Love This Item Number: Raj Malhotra proves to be a formidable opponent in the joust that Simran Singh has begun by showing his wild side and winning accolades from the audience. The complex choreography of this item number makes it boisterous and fun with a momentum that gets your heart pumping and wishing for more.
Trivia: Kajol was not told that Shah Rukh Khan would drop her at the end of this number - so her reaction is genuine. Also, this was the only song choreographed by Farah Khan who was brought in near the end of the shoot to replace Sonaj Khan.
"Chaiyya Chaiyya"
Film: Dil Se...
Release Date: 21 August 1998
Music by: A. R. Rahman; Lyrics by: Gulzar
Sung by: Sapna Awasthi and Sukhwinder Singh
Picturized on: Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora Khan
Why I Love This Item Number: This is probably one of the most famous item numbers filmed in the past 20 years because it takes place on a moving train. The music seems to give power to the engine and the performers act as if dancing on a train is a typical activity undertaken to while away the travel time. The dancers are filmed from a number of different vantage points using natural light - or lack thereof - which adds to the fascination of this item number.
Trivia: Shah Rukh Khan did not use a safety harness while the filming this item number.
"Ishq Kamina"
Film: Shakti: The Power
Release Date: 20 September 2002
Music By: Anu Malik; Lyrics by: Sameer
Sung by: Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik
Picturized on: Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai
Why I Love This Item Number: The film is a very dark and emotionally draining film. This song, while not a happy-go-lucky number, lifts you up a bit through it's sizzling choreography, colorful costumes, and interesting set design. It also gives a further introduction to the character Jaisingh, who has a small but important part to play in the film.
Trivia: It took eight days to film this item number. By comparison, the choreography for "Chaiyya Chaiyya" was completed in 4 and a half days.
"Tumse Milke Dilka Jo Haal"
Film: Main Hoon Na
Release Date: 30 April 2004
Music by: Anu Malik; Lyrics by: Javed Akhtar
Sung by: Sonu Nigam, Aftab Sabri and Hasim Sabri
Picturized on: Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan and Amrita Rao
Why I Love This Item Number: This entertaining item number reflects the "go big or go home" idea with the vibrantly colorful costumes and beautiful set design complete with swans and doves. The music mixes eastern and western influences into a beautiful and delightful tale of two sets of lovers.
"Dard-E-Disco"
Film: Om Shanti Om
Release Date: 9 November 2007
Music by: Vishal-Shekhar; Lyrics by: Javed Akhtar
Sung by: Sukhwinder Singh
Picturized on: Shah Rukh Khan
Why I Love This Item Number: This is the first item song featuring the character of Om Kapoor who is bold, defiant, and very self-confident. The item number features the four elements - earth (sand), water, air (wind), and fire - as characters themselves within the item number. The song lyrics don't have any deep meaning - they seem to exist only for the pleasure of their singing. The choreography of this song makes it particularly fun because it is so very over-the-top as it presents Shah Rukh Khan's Om Kapoor as item boy eye candy for millions of adoring fans.
Trivia: According to a 2007 interview with Farah Khan in The Telegraph, "The Dard-e-disco song was to have originally been done by Shakira. 'It’s the last song I am doing. So I told Shah Rukh, sorry darling, now you are Shakira. Off with your clothes.' "
Enjoy the following youtube playlist featuring these five songs (if the videos are blocked for viewing here, click on this link).
What are your favorite Farah Khan-choreographed item numbers?
If you like this, check out our other Friday Five posts.