In the ever-evolving world of Bollywood, boundaries between lead roles, item numbers, and special appearances have become increasingly blurred.

Earlier, performers became typecast for mainstream lead roles and item song performers. But now, many actresses who once were known for their lead roles are also giving appearance as item numbers. Case in point, Tamannaah Bhatia.

Recently, one of the industry’s most outspoken personalities voiced her frustration over this changing landscape, hinting that the growing trend might be pushing traditional entertainers out of business.

Rakhi Sawant On Tamannah Bhatia ‘Leave Something For Us Too’

Rakhi Sawant did not minced her words when she expressed her worries due to Tamannaah Bhatia’s hurting her livelihood. According to Rakhi, the likes of Tamannaah Bhatia are eliminating opportunities for someone like Rakhi Sawant by doing item song numbers. Rakhi is referring to Tamannaah Bhatia’s famous song “Aaj ki Raat”. Rakhi opined that someone like Tamannaah Bhatia should stick to acting roles only. Rakhi said this during her interview with Hindi Rush where she was promoting her new song.

Rakhi: She has given such a good performance in Bahubali. Suddenly, why has she started doing songs which we used to do — i.e., item songs?

Interviewer: So if she is doing, and she is being given offers by producers?

Rakhi: Actresses who are known to star in big-budget roles in big productions — now it doesn’t make sense for them to do item song roles for ₹5 lakhs. What’s the point of doing such performances for ₹5–10 lakhs? These types of songs like Aaj Ki Raat are done by us. These are songs of a beer bar environment. These songs suit someone like us.

Rakhi also opined the reason why Tamannaah Bhatia did Aaj Ki Raat as she wasn’t getting more roles as a heroine.

Rakhi: Now she will act as heroine, then she will also do item songs. Then she will also play sister. She will do everything. Then what will we do? Will we go and dance at the beer bars? What will we do? She is heroine material. Please leave something for us, Tamannaah. You are beautiful. Actually, she didn’t get too much work as a heroine, so now she is earning her livelihood by doing item songs. It just means that she is destroying our livelihood. Where will we go?

Interviewer: These types of songs have reduced a lot.

Rakhi: They are doing item songs so now we are also kicking their livelihood by doing songs in heroine roles. My song is receiving more views than their songs. I will now take away all their work.

In a cut-throat competition, do you think Rakhi Sawant is justified to target Tamannaah Bhatia for stealing her work?