Actor and television personality Rubina Dilaik has shared her views on the changing presentation of item songs, saying the format has evolved significantly over the years and that some contemporary portrayals have become “obscene.”
Rubina Dilaik has sparked a wider conversation about the changing nature of popular music and performance in Indian entertainment.
In a recent YouTube discussion featuring Rubina, Hina Khan, Abhinav Shukla and Rocky Jaiswal, the group exchanged views on how music trends have changed over time. Their conversation touched on the evolution of item songs, the messages found in some rap music and the broader influence popular culture can have on audiences.
During the discussion, Rubina reflected on how item songs were once presented and compared earlier performances with some contemporary trends.
Speaking about the current landscape, she said, “It has become obscene now.”
Her remarks were part of a larger discussion about changing standards of presentation, lyrics and visual storytelling in popular music.
Rubina Dilaik Looks Back at the Evolution of Item Songs
While discussing the subject, Rubina referred to an earlier era of Indian cinema and recalled veteran performer Helen, whose performances became an important part of Bollywood’s musical history.
Helen is widely remembered for bringing a distinctive screen presence, dance style and charisma to songs that often existed outside a film’s central romantic storyline.
Rubina’s point was not simply about the existence of item numbers. Instead, she appeared to question how the presentation and perception of such songs have changed over the decades.
The format has remained a recognisable part of commercial Indian cinema, but the way it is written, filmed, choreographed and marketed has continued to evolve.
For Rubina, some of those changes have raised concerns about where the line lies between glamour, entertainment and content that audiences may consider excessive.
‘It Has Become Obscene Now’: Rubina Shares Her View
During the conversation, Rubina expressed her concern directly.
“It has become obscene now,” she said while discussing the way some contemporary item songs are presented.
She also referred to a recent item song that had generated controversy and was subsequently removed, suggesting that such incidents reflect the changing public conversation around music videos and their content.
The remarks highlight a long-running debate within Indian popular culture.
What makes a performance glamorous?
Where should artistic freedom and commercial entertainment be placed in relation to public concerns?
And how do changing audiences influence the way songs are created and presented?
There may not be a single answer to these questions. Music and cinema have always changed alongside society, and audience reactions often vary depending on cultural context and individual preferences.
Rubina’s comments, however, add another perspective to the ongoing debate about how women’s representation and performance have evolved within mainstream entertainment.
The Conversation Turns to Modern Rap Culture
The discussion later shifted from item songs to rap music.
Abhinav Shukla shared his personal view about the themes he believes are commonly present in contemporary rap.
“I think ten percent of rap songs actually can inspire you to become a good human,” he said.
He went on to contrast those songs with others that, in his view, promote themes involving rebellion, weapons and disregard for social systems.
His comments reflected his personal assessment of a section of contemporary rap music rather than a universal description of the genre as a whole.
Rap is an enormously diverse global art form, encompassing storytelling, political commentary, social criticism, personal experience, humour, celebration and numerous other themes.
Abhinav’s point appeared to focus specifically on the messages he believes are prominent in some commercially popular songs.
Rocky Jaiswal on the Roots of Rap
Rocky Jaiswal added another perspective by discussing what he described as the storytelling roots of old-school rap.
He said that early rap music in the United States often focused on the experiences of people confronting difficult circumstances and attempting to overcome social or economic challenges.
His observation reflects one of the historically significant elements of hip-hop culture.
From its early development in the Bronx, rap became a platform through which artists could document personal experiences and comment on their communities, social realities and aspirations.
Over time, the genre expanded globally and developed into countless subgenres.
Today, rap includes everything from socially conscious storytelling and introspective lyrics to mainstream party music, experimental production and commercial pop-rap.
That diversity makes it difficult to describe the entire genre through one set of themes.
Nevertheless, the conversation between Rubina, Abhinav and Rocky raised questions about how commercial success can influence the type of content audiences encounter most frequently.
How Popular Music Reflects Changing Society
The discussion involving Rubina Dilaik, Hina Khan, Abhinav Shukla and Rocky Jaiswal ultimately centred on a broader issue: popular culture is constantly changing.
The music industry of one generation rarely looks exactly like the music industry of the next.
Earlier forms of entertainment may be viewed as more restrained by some audiences, while younger generations may see new styles as an expression of creative freedom.
At the same time, social media has made public reaction more immediate.
A controversial song, music video or performance can now generate widespread discussion within hours. Audience criticism can influence artists, producers, streaming platforms and even regulatory decisions.
This has created a much more interactive relationship between entertainment creators and audiences.
Viewers are no longer simply consumers of music. Through social platforms, they can publicly question, praise or criticise the content they encounter.
The Changing Conversation Around Item Songs
The evolution of item songs is particularly interesting because the format has been part of Indian popular cinema for decades.
Over the years, different performers have brought their own personalities and styles to these songs.
Some became iconic because of choreography, screen presence, costumes or memorable music.
However, contemporary debates often focus on additional questions, including representation, objectification, consent, lyrics and the intended audience.
This does not mean that every modern item song follows the same approach.
Nor were all songs from earlier decades presented in exactly the same way.
But the conversation around them has undoubtedly become more detailed and more public.
Rubina’s comments reflect one side of that ongoing discussion.
Her central concern appeared to be the extent to which the format has changed from an earlier form of entertainment into something she believes can sometimes cross into obscenity.
Art, Entertainment and Audience Responsibility
Debates about popular music are rarely straightforward.
Creative freedom remains an important part of artistic expression. At the same time, artists and entertainment companies operate in a broader cultural environment in which audiences may question the messages, visuals and values being presented.
The discussion also raises another important point: audiences are not passive.
Streaming choices, views, social-media engagement and public criticism can all influence which types of content receive greater attention.
Songs that become popular often reflect a combination of artistic decisions, marketing strategies and audience demand.
This means that conversations about entertainment trends cannot focus exclusively on performers or creators.
They also involve producers, platforms, advertisers and audiences.
Rubina Dilaik’s Remarks Add to a Larger Cultural Debate
Rubina’s comments have added to a continuing conversation about the direction of mainstream music.
Her comparison between earlier item-song performances and some modern presentations reflects a broader question being discussed across entertainment: how should popular culture evolve while maintaining space for artistic expression and responsible representation?
Meanwhile, Abhinav Shukla and Rocky Jaiswal’s comments about rap brought a second dimension to the conversation.
Their discussion explored whether commercial popularity has changed the types of messages that become most visible within certain music genres.
Together, the exchange demonstrated how entertainment discussions increasingly extend beyond celebrity news.
They can become conversations about representation, social influence, creative freedom and the changing expectations of audiences.
The Bigger Question Behind the Debate
Music will continue to change.
New genres will emerge, older formats will be reinvented and audiences will continue to debate what they consider meaningful, entertaining or problematic.
Rubina Dilaik’s statement that some modern item-song presentations have become “obscene” represents her perspective within that larger cultural conversation.
Similarly, Abhinav and Rocky’s comments on rap reflect their individual views about how the genre’s themes have evolved.
The broader discussion does not have a simple conclusion.
What one generation considers bold may be considered ordinary by the next. What some viewers see as artistic expression may be viewed by others as excessive.
But these conversations remain important because popular entertainment does more than provide temporary distraction.
It also reflects changing attitudes, influences cultural conversations and shapes how audiences discuss art, identity and representation.
For Rubina, the transformation of item songs appears to be a sign that the entertainment landscape has changed dramatically.
Whether audiences agree with her assessment or not, her remarks have once again opened up a familiar question: as popular culture evolves, where should the line between creative expression, commercial entertainment and responsible representation be drawn?
