Mallika’s item number ’Shalu’ is a complete carbon copy of Sheila ki jawaani and Munni badnaam hui!

Mallika Sherawat in song "Shalu"

Katrina Kaif in song "Sheila Ki Jawaani"

Malaika Arora Khan in song "Munni Badnaam Hui"

Choreographer Ganesh Acharya has ripped off Farah Khan’s patented dance steps from Sheila ki jawaani in Tees Maar Khan, and Munni badnaam hui in Dabangg for Mallika Sherawat’s new item number Shalu ke thumke. The song features in the upcoming Bin Bulaye Baraati.

His justification for ‘being inspired’ by the two songs that had everyone on the dance floor on New Year’s Eve in 2010 is a line from the new song: Munni bhi maani aur Sheila bhi maani, Shalu ke thumke ki duniya deewani.

Sources tell Acharya was compelled by the film’s team, who believed that incorporating Katrina Kaif’s and Malaika Arora’s dance steps would add to Sherawat’s oomph quotient.

“It was felt that since Munni and Sheila have been mentioned in the lyrics, the trademark dance steps from the two songs should reflect in Mallika’s moves. Ganesh’s objections were quickly shouted down,” told a source.

Of course, Kaif and Arora are far from pleased. “What was Mallika thinking when she launched into the Munni and Sheila steps? It’s not done. You can’t borrow steps just because the lyrics make a reference. Choreography is patented just like tunes are,” fumed another source.

Prakash Jaju, the film’s producer however, verified, “It was Anand Raj Anand’s idea, and we liked it,” he told.

Jaju said Sherawat had no objection. “We offered her a choice of two item songs and she chose this one. We offered the other one to Shweta Tiwari.”

Farah Khan who has lately been involved in an extended tu tu main main with choreographer Ganesh Hegde, steered clear of controversy surrounding Acharya’s song.

“I haven’t seen it. Maybe they are just spoofing the Sheila and Munni steps,” she told.

When informed that Sherawat was dead serious in her item song, Khan, told, “In that case, I’m flattered.” Kaif and Arora are not.