It’s quite like Waheeda Rehman trying to be like Mumtaz; it doesn’t quite cut it. It seems like Deepika Padukone’s brief for her item song in Raabta must’ve been two words — smouldering hot.
So what does the beauteous Padukone do? Puts on yesteryear vamp Bindu’s discarded slit dress from Kati Patang’s Mera Naam Hai Shabnam, minus the animal fur and body stockings, smears on some kaajal, and moves to a Pritam track that Bindu would’ve refused to dance to.
And this is not the first time Pritam seems to have let Deepika down in an item song. Remember his treatment of R.D. Burman’s iconic Dum Maro Dum for Rohan Sippy’s movie of the same name? The tune was less than up to the mark, and Deepika’s performance followed suit.
A lot of the blame for Raabta’s title track must go to Pritam’s vapid tune. I am told he dashes off legal notices to whoever criticises his songs. After hearing his title track in Raabta, on Deepika’s trembling lips I am tempted to send Pritam dada a legal notice.
Deepika too doesn’t seem to be anywhere close to, say, a Katrina Kaif in Chikni Chameli, or a Priyanka Chopra in Ram Chahe Leela.
Maybe it’s time to admit that Deepika isn’t designed for item numbers; it’s like fitting papier-mâché walls into the Taj Mahal. And for a three-time Sanjay Leela Bhansali heroine, you can’t be seen doing an underwhelming item song or play Vin Diesel’s sidekick in a Hollywood movie that’s best forgotten.
