‘Requested makers to change lyrics in Chikni Chameli’

She sang the popular item number Chikni Chameli — picturised on actor Katrina Kaif — in the film Agneepath (2012), but singer Shreya Ghoshal (right) is not comfortable when it comes to singing provocative dance songs.

The 32-year-old singer feels that India is a country with regressive mindset when it comes to women, and adds that item numbers only add fuel to the fire.

“One aspect of those who say that item numbers are distasteful, is right. I mean in a country like India, where women are not treated with respect, they are right in pointing out that item numbers only strengthen the stereotype,” she says.

Shreya, reveals she wasn’t comfortable when she was singing Chikini Chameli. “When that song came to me, there were a few antras (verses) that I had a problem with and wasn’t comfortable singing. I had requested the makers to change a few words, and only then I was able to sing it,” she explains.

“Post Chikni Chameli, I got many requests from filmmakers to sing item numbers. But I just couldn’t agree to sing them, because I was not comfortable,” she adds.

However, Shreya says that as long as the songs are written ‘sensually’, she has no problems.

“If a woman is sexy and one is calling her that sensually, then there is no problem. One has to draw a line. I don’t have a problem in singing sensual songs. See, I need to be comfortable while I am singing. If I am getting embarrassed by singing the words, or I can’t feel the song, then I can’t sing it,” she says.