Malaika had created a stir with her 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' number opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Maniratnam's 'Dil Se' in 1998 when Bollywood was just waking up to the concept of item girls.
She will now jive on the tantalising title 'Munni Badnaam' in the film, which is set against the backdrop of politics and crime in UP and Bihar, starring Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha.
"Yes, Malaika has appeared in this fun dance number which is going to be a highlight of 'Dabangg'. Salman too would be making an appearance in the song though it is not clear whether he would be dancing along with Malaika or not," a source said.
Incidentally, this is for the first time that Malaika would be appearing in an item song for a home production even as Arbaaz, Sohail and Salman have been making films for quite a few years now.
The song will have a raunchy touch to it. Sajid-Wajid, regulars with Salman Khan after giving music in films like 'Veer', 'Wanted', 'Partner', 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' and 'Tere Naam', have composed for 'Dabangg' while Jalees Sherwani has written the lyrics.
Other than Malaika Arora, the song also features Sonu Sood who is the main antagonist in the film. Since his character is required to have a funny touch, his dance moves too were devised on the same lines.
"I do feature in the song and the brief was to just being natural. I had to come up with those funny non-conventional moves and everyone fell off their chairs once they saw the results," said Sood.
The song has been choreographed by Farah Khan and as per the source, she had a blast during it's making.
"Farah has yet again done a brilliant job to ensure that this would be the biggest song of the year on its release. However, the song hasn't been forced into the narrative for the sake of it. There is a story running in parallel. While Malaika and Sonu are having all the fun, there is a police raid happening in the background."
While Malaika is a pro when it comes to dance numbers, as evidenced in many of her performances like 'Honth Rasile' (Welcome), 'Kaal Dhamaal' (Kaal) and 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' (Dil Se), for Sonu Sood it was a relatively new experience as he hadn't quite let his hair down in his films in the past.
"I have danced a little in my films like 'Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi' and 'Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge' but still I was itching to do something totally 'dhamaal' and commercial. I got to do that in 'Munni Badnaam Hui' and the incentive was to shake a leg with Malaika," Sood added.
Malaika had a miniscule role in 'Housefull' (which almost went unnoticed), her 'Prem Kaa Game' was a commercial disaster with absolutely no takers to it while her acting part in 'EMI' didn't find much appreciation either.
Directed by first timer Abhinav Kashyap, 'Dabangg' marks the debut of Sonakshi Sinha as the leading lady. The film releases all over on September 10.