The Indian digital scene is getting bolder by the day. Actors don’t even seem to mind same sex kissing on screen. Nia Sharma’s female to female lip lock in Vikram Bhatt directed web seriesTwisted received much attention. The justreleased Sony Liv short film The Gift has Mandira Bedi & Gul Panag indulge in a brief smooch. This  20 min  short is co directed by TV actor and choreographer Kushal Punjabi. Kushal, being a talented actor also has played an important role in the edge of the seat thriller .”
 

 Talking about the scene Kushal who had previously  acted in another Sony Liv show said, “ After narrating the script , I told Mandira about the kiss in the end. Luckily she understood that it  was essential to the storyboard .”

Mandira also had no qualms about it , "I had no issue as it was needed. I was not uncomfortable, but  Gul sure  was.” Kushal defended the scene saying, "I  could have added a lot of nudity and swear words but they were not necessary . This kiss, which is not really a kiss was needed, so it is there. We don’t believing in  adding stuff just for titillation.”

Anil Merani