Varun Grover's short film 'Kiss' heading to Beijing Queer Film Festival

Kiss is set in a preview theatre where a young filmmaker waits in the hope of getting his new sci-fi drama certified with ‘no cuts’ by the Censor Board

Noted lyricist and screenwriter Varun Grover has announced that Kiss, his first short film as a director, will be screened at the Beijing Queer Film Festival.

Produced by Arya Menon and Shubham Karna, the short film was earlier screened at the 2022 edition of the New York Indian Film Festival. It features Adarsh Gourav, Swanand Kirkire, Shubhrajyoti Barat, Chetan Sharma and Ashwath Bhatt.

Grover, also known for his work as a stand-up comic and poet, shared the news on Instagram on Saturday night.

"Thrilled to announce that our short film KISS has been selected for the prestigious Beijing Queer Film Festival, the longest running queer film festival in China," the writer posted.

Kiss is set in a preview theatre where a young filmmaker waits in the hope of getting his new sci-fi drama certified with ‘no cuts’ by the conservative men of the Censor Board.

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"The board finds a particular kissing scene in the film beyond the duration stipulated by official, orthodox rules. As the filmmaker and board members argue over the length of the kiss, the laws of physics disintegrate around them," the official plotline read.

As a lyricist, Grover has worked on films such as the Gangs of Wasseypur series, Ankhon Dekhi, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Masaan, Udta Punjab and Badhaai Do.

He won the National Award for best lyricist for penning the track Moh Moh Ke Dhaage from Dum Laga Ke Haisha.

Grover wrote Neeraj Ghaywan-directed Masaan, which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, as well as served as a writer on the hit Netflix series Sacred Games.

He will soon make his feature directorial debut with a project, titled All India Rank.