It's official. Kareena Kapoor has replaced Malaika Arora Khan aka Munni in Dabangg 2. The Chhammak Challo girl will be seen doing an item number in the sequel, being directed by Arbaaz Khan. Malaika, very much a part of the Khan clan will not feature in the film.

The item number in Dabangg 2 will either be penned by Sajid Wajid or Lalit Pandit. It will retain the rustic desi touch, like its predecessor, albeit with a different face. The Munni Badnaam Hui number had started a new trend in the item number genre. Bebo is not known for her desi appeal in the industry. She is identified as the westernised hot Indian babe more often than not. She hasn't done a proper item number to date either, appearing only in a couple of songs for close friend Shah Rukh Khan's films.

The closest she has come to an item number could possibly be her mujra act in the much anticipated Agent Vinod. But, it seems she will definitely give Chikni Chameli Katrina Kaif a stiff competition in future. Dabangg 2 is scheduled to go on floors on March 9. The film will oscillate between Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and Satara and Mumbai in Maharashtra. Besides Salman Khan the film also has Arbaaz Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Deepak Dobriyal, Nikiten Dheer and Mohan Agashe in significant roles. The shoot is expected to wrap up by October end this year.