‘Loot lo, loot lo,’ a man yells while recording scenes after a truck toppled in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore. His video is now going viral, sparking discussions online over ‘insensitivity’. But what exactly happened? The truck was loaded with bottles of cold drinks (primarily bottles of Thums
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Big price drop on 4K smart TVs: Up to 60% off on Samsung, Sony, LG and moreSmart TVs on Amazon are seeing noticeable price drops, making it easier to upgrade to sharper visuals
NRI installs Statue of Liberty replica atop Jalandhar home after 26 years in New YorkAn NRI installed a Statue of Liberty replica on his Jalandhar home, drawing visitors and going viral online. Published on: Mar 22, 2026 7:39 AM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link A unique
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “biggest infiltrator” and reiterated her criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government in connection with the special intensive revision of voter rolls, PTI reported
Meet Team USA's ‘giantkillers’ who handed Tom Brady, Joe Burrow brutal losses in Fanatics Flag Football Published on: Mar 22, 2026 4:11 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link U.S. National Flag team's Isaiah Calhoun reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Wildcats FFC (AP) Key
The US has lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil, as it scrambles to contain the impact of its war in Iran on energy markets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the issuing of a narrowly tailored, short-term authorisation permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea
Delhi engulfed in ‘not very common’ dense fog in March; records lowest temperature since February 26Experts attributed the occurrence of fog to a combination of recent rain, high moisture content in the atmosphere and relatively calm winds overnight. Updated on: Mar 22
Chandrasekhar, who is fighting against CPI(M) leader and state Education Minister V Sivankutty, and K S Sabarinadhan from the Congress in the April 9 polls, submitted his nomination papers before the returning officer during the day, accompanied by Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma.Chandrasekhar
Lyricist and writer Varun Grover talked about the place of censorship in cinema in India. His debut short film Kiss tackles this subject matter. Varun Grover's short film Kiss interrogates the idea of censorship in cinema with a delicate touch. Within 15 minutes, the film also interrogates the thought process, prejudices and subjectivities that are connected with the way one watches a film. In an exclusive interview with HT, Varun along with actor and noted lyricist Swanand Kirkire talked about the film's concerns, their collaboration and why censorship should not exist in the first place. (Also read: Varun Grover's short film Kiss turns cinema into a mirror for introspection)
Varun Grover's short film Kiss interrogates the idea of censorship in cinema with a delicate touch. Within 15 minutes, the film also interrogates the thought process, prejudices and subjectivities that are connected with the way one watches a film. In an exclusive interview with HT, Varun along with actor and noted lyricist Swanand Kirkire talked about the film's concerns, their collaboration and why censorship should not exist in the first place. (Also read: Varun Grover's short film Kiss turns cinema into a mirror for introspection)
Varun opened up about the initial spark that led to the making of the film several years ago. He recalled, “There was a news item which said that some film was censored at that time and it said that the censor board had asked the makers to reduce the kissing scene from 22 seconds to 11 seconds. That made me wonder what was the thought process behind this? Who are these people who are sitting there with a timer and cutting down kissing scenes by seconds? I would have understood if they had said completely remove the scene but saying we want this duration and not that… but there was something going on which we don't know. So I thought I want to do something about it and this was somewhere around 2018.”
He went on to add, “Then cut to 2021 during COVID, when I wanted to write something and make a short film, this idea popped up. I wanted to not do it in a comedy genre, which is a very easy to kind of make fun of this mentality, but to actually try to understand who are these people who end up in the censor board and then make these decisions. I wanted to understand the lives of these people who eventually take these kinds of calls. So it was a bit of an empathetic understanding look while also retaining the bizarreness of the situation.”
Varun shared the news item that inspired the film in his latest post on X. Take a look!
Swanand Kirkire knew he wanted to be a part of the film from day one. He shared, “Varun and I go a long way. We are friends and I admire his work a lot. Earlier we have collaborated in Masaan and have always remained in touch. He had sent me the script and I had liked it a lot. He had offered me a different part in the film, and I had agreed to that as well. But there was some issue with dates and it got delayed due to the pandemic. I called Varun to tell that I was available and he said that he had another role for me, to which I said yes immediately! I was very happy that I could become a part of this film.”
Varun made Kiss before his feature film All India Rank. What was more challenging- a feature film or a short film? Varun says, “Every film has its difficulties. This being my first film I had more of a fascinating experience being on the set on the first day. It was as if I had walked into a dream! Luckily I had a fantastic crew to support me, who were more experienced than I am. Everyone had many films before them, and they were doing their best and taking care of me as well. Like I had no idea of colour palette, which was being discussed by the design team. I simply stood there and I left it on them to take care of that aspect of the film. I said yes because I trusted them.”
A post shared by Newton Cinema (@newton_cinema)
Kiss talks about censorship in cinema. As a filmmaker, he wants more artists to speak about the issue. What can change?
He says, “I don't think giving a list of things that should change will change things. We are that much aware of the world… a lot of things can change, should change. Censor board is also doing what the society… they think it is ready for. They have this superiority complex that we will tell the world what to do and what not to watch. I think at least more artists can speak about it. Censorship in itself is a wrong idea for a country like ours. For a democracy, there should not be censorship. The name of the body is Central Board of Film Certification, not film censorship. They are supposed to certify a film but they are also censoring and that should not be the case. It should not be allowed, it should not be the norm.”
Swanand agrees. He adds, “Not just the censor board, but so many other things should change. It should become more human than they are. I think the only censorship that should happen is in the head of the creator. When they decide why they are telling a certain story, because it is a very fragile line. It is ultimately the artist's responsibility. From there it should start. And, censorship should not become a political tool to only tell a certain kind of story and stop people from telling a certain kind of story. That is what this film addresses. People who are censoring, who are they? Are they equipped? Are they open-minded enough to judge a film? Everyone has their own values, their own traumas, their own childhood conditioning… The film is compassionate in that sense. I think that is the beginning. Compassion is the way to lead. It is a short way and a short step, but yeah, let's start with compassion.”
Kiss is available to watch on Mubi India.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar to be presented Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Sahitya Samman Step towards censorship Talked About Ideological Successor Varun Grover's short film Kiss turns cinema into a mirror for introspection Rise & Fall Grand Finale Week Kicks Off With Ashneer Grover’s Taunts Ashneer Grover Offered To Enter Bigg Boss 19 As Wildcard Contestant Inside Ashneer Grover’s ₹30 cr Delhi house Ashneer Grover Mocks Salman Khan Ashneer Grover's New OTT Show 'Rise & Fall' Sunil Grover's antics on KBC leave Amitabh Bachchan wheezing
In 2018, a young tigress stopped appearing on camera traps in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. There was no official report of conflict as well as no records of carcass recovery or poaching incidents. This indicated that she had not died within the reserve.In 2018
1 days ago
The Union government on Saturday allowed an additional 20% allocation of commercial liquefied petroleum gas to states and Union Territories, taking the overall allocation to 50%. Of the total amount, an allocation of 10% will be given on the condition that states undertake measures to ease the
1 days ago
DICGC risk-based premium: How much will banks pay for deposit insurance?RBP framework provides a bank with a discount of up to 33.33% on the deposit insurance premium based on its rating category and an up to 25% vintage incentive. Updated on: Mar 22
1 days ago
Maharashtra politics heats up after a state women's commission chief resigns due to her association with a spiritual leader accused of rape. The Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Sena now targets Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Leaders demand action against political followers of such spiritual
1 days ago
TikTok star Taylor Frankie Paul sat uneasily in her chair during a live interview on ABC's Good Morning America this week, caught between trying to promote her turn in the network's new series of The Bachelorette and addressing fresh domestic violence allegations lodged against her by her
1 days ago
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured the minority community of her support during her Eid-ul-Fitr address, criticizing the BJP's alleged deletion of minority names from electoral rolls. She vowed to challenge these actions in the Supreme Court
1 days ago
In the age of convenience, using frozen, deep-fried or processed meats that are brimming with preservatives is the norm. It makes life easier on days when work and life collide. However, a new study has found that eating too much ultra-processed food may significantly increase the risk of serious
1 days ago
Mohit Suri on eight-hour shift in film industry debate: ‘Emraan Hashmi shot 24 hours with me’Director Mohit Suri feels improved working hours shouldn’t be reserved only for actors, but must also consider the well-being of the entire crew. Mar 22, 2026
1 days ago
Cuba’s national power grid suffered a nationwide collapse on Saturday, plunging the island into darkness for the second time in a week as the communist government struggles to maintain electricity supplies for its 10 million residents amid a U.S.-imposed oil blockade and ageing infrastructure
1 days ago
The National Farmers' Union has warned that food prices in the UK are likely to go up as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. NFU President Tom Bradshaw told the BBC that the price of cucumbers and tomatoes could rise over the next six weeks
1 days ago
Global intelligence agencies, including the CIA and Mossad, were closely watching during Nowruz on Friday to see whether Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, would uphold his father’s tradition of a New Year’s address. However, the holiday went by without Mojtaba’s address
1 days ago
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday claimed it had struck an Israeli F-16 fighter jet over central Iran, even as Israel announced fresh overnight strikes on ballistic missile production facilities in Tehran. In a statement carried by Sepah News
1 days ago
These have been directed by PNGRB to shorten the timeline between the submission of applications and the commencement of gas supply to consumer households and pursue mass awareness initiatives. Also Read :India set to become rich by 2047? How growth
1 days ago
The combined wealth of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma has increased to Rs 35.16 crore in 2026 from 17.27 crore in 2021, showed the affidavit filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party leader on Friday. Himanta Biswa Sarma had filed the affidavit along with his
1 days ago
When Liverpool came to Brighton last May, the away end was in party mode at the full-time whistle despite the defeat as they sang and celebrated with inflatables and balloons. By then, Arne Slot's side had won the Premier League title and a trip to the south coast was another excuse to enjoy
1 days ago
The National Highways Authority of India will use advanced AI dashcams on 40,000 km of highways. This initiative aims to improve road maintenance and safety through data-driven operations. High-resolution imagery will help identify over 30 types of defects
1 days ago
For most office workers in India, the concept of working out like Bollywood’s “New Age Action Hero" Vidyut Jammwal, who is known for his incredible Kalaripayattu-powered feats, seems absurdly unattainable. The actor is believed to exercise for up to nine hours every day
1 days ago
In the high-stakes arena of the 2026 Assam assembly elections, observers say Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has deployed a political strategy that is as audacious as it is effective: dismantling the Congress party by absorbing its most influential DNA. On March 19
1 days ago
Indian man escorted off flight after demanding seat change from US-based techieA United States-based software developer has sparked a discussion on in-flight etiquette after refusing to switch seats with an Indian man on a plane Published on: Mar 22
1 days ago
India faces an LPG crisis as the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies 85-90% of the country’s imports. Tanker delays and safety concerns have caused cylinder shortages, rising prices, and rationing, hitting households and eateries hard
1 days ago
Comprehensive financial planning: Reflect on FY25 and plan for FY26 and beyondThe annual review of the financial year. Updated on: Mar 22, 2026 4:10 AM IST By Gopal Gidwani Share via Copy link The financial year-end is a good time to reflect on what worked well this year and what did not go as
1 days ago
With the inauguration of the Noida International Airport in Jewar drawing closer, a key concern for travellers across Delhi-NCR is accessibility. While the airport promises to ease pressure on Delhi’s existing aviation infrastructure, its location in western Uttar Pradesh means commute time will
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.7 Running watches that actually help you run better in 2026Running watches have changed how people track every mile. Here are seven options that stand out when it comes to performance
1 days ago
This Tiramisu Day, indulge in one of the world’s most beloved desserts. With its irresistible layers of espresso-soaked sponge, velvety mascarpone, and a dusting of cocoa, tiramisu continues to inspire chefs and cafés to reinterpret it in both classic and contemporary ways
1 days ago
Is playing music good for the brain?Studies show music boosts memory, brain function and may slow ageing, offering benefits far beyond performance or talent Updated on: Mar 21, 2026 3:31 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link THE MEN who raided Joseph Haydn’s grave hoped that his genius would
1 days ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, conveying Eid and Nowruz greetings and expressing hope for peace and stability in West Asia. He also condemned attacks on critical infrastructure, warning that such actions threaten regional stability and disrupt global
1 days ago
The latest hike comes amid rising energy costs, including LPG and crude oil, which have increased operating expenses for restaurants and delivery partners, prompting platforms to adjust pricing. New Delhi: Food delivery platform Zomato has increased platform fee by 19.2 per cent or Rs 2
1 days ago
