Shabana Azmi, Parineeti Chopra feel item numbers are ok if situational

Mumbai -- While many senior actors complain about the growing trend of item songs in Hindi films, legendary actress Shabana Azmi has no problem with it if it is situational. "I have far less problem with women doing item numbers than they falling on the feet of men. Item numbers will continue to happen. Whether it is required in the situation or not is what matters," Shabana said at the launch of Bhavna Somaya's book --Mother Maiden Mistress -- here. "For instance the Beedi song from Omkara (pictured on Bipasha Basu) was fantastic. It had robust energy. It should not be like they (women) are surrendering to males," she said. Talented actress Parineeti Chopra, who was also there, felt the same about the item songs. "Even the song Jhalla walla from my film Ishqazaade was an item number, which had two girls dancing in front of men, was not to titillate them. I am not saying item numbers should be stopped... I hope there won't be useless stuff five years down the line," Parineeti said. However, both the actresses were happy about the transitional change happened in the portrayal of females in the Hindi cinema. "The heroine in Hindi films has traveled much, but needs to travel further. Cinema reflects society, hence we get to see working women roles in films today, which is a good thing," Shabana said. "There has been a transition. There are writer, directors and producers, who are ready to write roles for women," Parineeti said. Besides the actresses, director Habib Faisal and playback singer Alka Yagnik were also present at the event.