Item songs are devotional: Devi Sri Prasad

Samantha’s item song Oo Antava, Oo Oo Antava’ from the film Pushpa has reportedly got a record number of hits, but it has also got brickbats, the latest being from Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh, over a comment by the composer Devi Sri Prasad (DSP), likening it to a devotional song.

Though Samantha’s moves to the tune, and the lyrics which portray men as lustful, have come in for some severe criticism, the makers of the Allu Arjun-starrer claim that the song is a hit, and held a press conference on Thursday night, during which DSP made the controversial remarks.

“All item songs are devotional,” DSP said at the meet. He hummed some lines from a couple of other special songs he had composed, and went on to hum the tune of the Pushpa item song with some devotional lyrics. “To me, the best devotional song is Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava, he said.

Furious at this equating of the item song with a religious one, MLA Raja Singh said “DSP’s statement has hurt the sentiments of the entire Hindu community. The comparison is uncalled for and he should apologise for it, or else, we will not allow him to move in Telangana.”

Interestingly, a couple of days ago, on the occasion of Geetha Jayanti, Shobha Raju, well-known singer and writer of devotional songs, had sung a paean to Lord Kirshna to the tune of Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava. Chandrabose penned the lyrics for the number. After the film’s release on Friday, a couple of cases were filed over it.

Sam’s special song really seems to be the talk of the town! She’s sure to remember it, not just for being her maiden item number, but because of the response it is creating!

And for films, any publicity is good publicity.