Bhubaneswar, Jan 25: It is nobody’s secret that controversial Odia Jatra(opera) item girl Rani Panda sets fire when she climbs on stage.

But the issue is now that the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has imposed restrictions on obscene dance performance during Khandagiri Jatra Mahotsav that begins on February 1.

Apart from religious and spiritual aspects, Jatra is the main focus of this Mela. Around a dozen Jatra troups perform on six stages during the Mela.

But this year the BMC has imposed restrictions on performance of nudity in item songs that restricts controversy queen of Odia Jatra industry Rani Panda from performing her heart out, who is famous and infamous for her sexy item dance on open stage.

But, she is very optimistic that she will perform on Jatra stage this time too.

I am not performing nude, but what I wear is only meant to give justice to the dance I am performing, said Rani to News7.

There is nothing obscene in it. As an Item girl, I perform only what audience demand. And nothing wrong in wearing costume suitable to the song, she added.

Rubbishing all allegations against her, she told some big names of the industry have hatched a conspiracy against her as her opera house is climbing the ladder of success leaving them behind.

Her dances have a certain audience, but no one can beat her hotness on stage, who rules the heart of Jatra audience for her boldness and sexiness.

The sizzling dance moves of Rani brought her overnight popularity and since then she has been in limelight.

Setting a new trend in Jatra item songs through her seductive dance moves she has dominated the Jatra industry in just few years.

A complaint was lodged against her at Khandagiri police station last year as she bit the ear of a young viewer during an item song performance.

You may love her or hate her, but can’t miss her.

However, her journey was not so easy. The road was quite rocky for her to reach here from a small village in Dhenkanal district fighting against her conservative family.

Notably, the nine-day Khandagiri Kumbha Mela will begin on February 1 on the occasion of ‘Magha Saptami’.

Thousands of saints and monks from various parts of the country congregate here for the Mela.