Shilpa Shetty, Malaika best item girls: Salman

NEW DELHI - Bollywood star Salman Khan, who has gyrated to sizzling number “Munni Badnaam” with his sister-in-law Malaika Arora Khan in “Dabangg”, says apart from her only actress Shilpa Shetty can be counted among the best item girls in the industry.

“Shilpa Shetty is very good in item numbers,” Salman told reporters on being asked which actress according to him gives competition to Malaika as far as item numbers are concerned.

Shilpa is popular for her sensuous moves in the song “U.P., Bihar lootne”, and “Chhaiya chhaiya” girl Malaika has featured in many item songs like “Hoth raseele”, “Kaal kaal”, and “Mahi ve”.

While it took a little while for Salman to answer, his younger brother Arbaaz, who is married to Malaika, flattered his wife by saying: “Malaika gives competition to herself.”

The actors, along with the cast and crew of “Dabangg”, were in the capital for the music launch of the film late Friday.

Salman maintained his habit of coming late and appeared with his team two and a half hours later than the scheduled time. However, he infused energy into the event as soon as he took to the stage.

The 44-year-old actor has always been known for his unique dance steps in all his films. In “Dabangg” too, he has done some very catchy steps which are fast becoming a rage among youngsters.

But Salman gives little credit to his choreographer Farah Khan for his dance. “I have taken my steps from a doctor I once met in London. He had a different style of dancing, so I picked my belt step from him,” he said.

“There is another step which I have picked from Arbaaz. It’s his all-time favourite step and again there’s one which is from my make-up man Raju,” he added.

“My steps are a mix from all these people, and yes, there is one step by Farah Khan also. Out of four steps that she gave me, I picked one,” Salman quipped.

“Dabangg”, which is Arbaaz’s first movie as a producer, has been directed by debutant Abhinav Kashyap, the younger brother of acclaimed director Anurag Kashyap.

The film is set in a small Uttar Pradesh town and has Salman in the role of a policeman. It is the launch vehicle for Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter Sonakshi, and is slated for a September release.