Sushmita Sen will appear in an item number in Sajid Khan’s film, Housefull, dancing to the remixed version of the famous song ‘Apni Toh Jaise Taisi’.

Confirmation of Sushmita’s appearance in the song – first made famous by Amitabh Bachchan in the 1981 blockbuster Lawaaris – puts persistent rumours of Aishwarya Rai’s appearance in the Housefull item number to rest.

While Aishwarya Rai was indeed approached to appear in the song, sources say she has turned the offer down, allegedly due to the link the song has with her father-in-law. She is also currently busy with a filming schedule including Guzaarish, Action Replay and Endhiran. Had Aish agreed, it would have been only her third item number appearance, following ‘Ishq Kamina’ (with Shahrukh Khan in the film Shakti – The Power) and ‘Kajra Re’ (with Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in the film Bunty Aur Babli).

Aishwarya’s loss is Sushmita’s gain. Sush will appear alongside Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Arjun Rampal in a dance number choreographed by Farah Khan. The music will be remixed by Shankar Ehsaan and Loy, to add today’s flavour while retaining a classic feel.