On-screen kissing seems to be gradually becoming the norm in the Kannada industry, and actors are open to accepting such scenes if they play an integral part in the film. A teaser of the upcoming movie, Prarambha, starring Manoranjan and Keerthi Kalkeri, was released last Friday, and it created a buzz not only due to actor Darshan lending his voice, but also for a kissing scene between the lead actors.

All eyes were on newcomer Keerthi, who reveals she agreed to do the scene because it was justified. “I was told about the kissing scene when the director narrated the script. I discussed this with my parents, took their permission, and then went ahead,” says Keerthi, adding that the particular scene was necessary to express the depth of the relationship, and that it was aesthetically shot by director Manu Kalyadi.

Keerthi is confident that she will not be labelled for the kissing shot, and is happy that filmmakers approaching her are not stressing upon it. “I have been listening to various subjects, and no filmmaker is making the kiss a must. As directors, they want to go by what the role demands,” she says.

Prarambha is a romantic drama that features Manoranjan as an artist.