I will never compose an item number again, says Shantanu Moitra

Mumbai: After his first item song Ishq Barse in Rajneeti failed to find favour with the audience,music director Shantanu Moitra says he has decided to stick to his genre of music.

Famous for his soulful compositions, the 44-year-old said he does not have the skills to compose an item song like hiscontemporaries in the industry.

"I did Ishq Barse because Prakash Jha asked me to do it and it was not received well by the audience. Now, I reallyrun away when any director ask me to compose one. There are many people in the industry who composebrilliant item numbers. Pritam and Vishal-Shekhar are the kings of delivering some of the best item numbers in the industry," Shantanu said.

But he feels that these peppy numbers have now become an essential part of films and help the story move further.

"Item songs are not as rampant as they were couple of years ago. They have become situational songs now. They helpthe storyline develop further rather than just entertaining the audience. They have become an essential part of the script," he said.

Shantanu, who started his career with classical based music in Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and wenton to compose for films like Lage Raho Munna Bhai and 3 Idiots, said he will not compose any item number in the near future.