| Kiss | |
| Director: | A. P. Arjun |
| Producer: | V. Ravi Kumar |
| Starring: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Cinematography: | Arjun Shetty |
| Runtime: | 148 minutes |
| Language: | Kannada |
| Country: | India |
Kiss is a 2019 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy drama film directed by A. P. Arjun and produced by V. Ravi Kumar under Rashtrakuta Pictures. It is the second Kannada-language film after A 2nd Hand Lover (2015) to be inspired by the 2004 South Korean film 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant. The film features debutantes Viraat and Sreeleela, alongside Chikkanna, Sadhu Kokila, and H. G. Dattatreya. Mayuri Kyatari was hired to dub for Sreeleela's dialogues.[1]
Kiss was released on 27 September 2019 to mixed reviews from critics and became a commercial success at the box office.[2]
Nandini is an architecture student who damages the car of Arjun, who is the son of a multi-millionaire. Unable to pay for the damage, she is asked to sign an agreement to work for Arjun for 72 days or give him two kisses. Nandini prefers the work option and accordingly, cleans his house, takes care of his dog, serves his friends at parties, and so on. An incident makes Nandini realize that Arjun is not the arrogant guy she thought he was, and she develops feelings for him. As their 72-day agreement draws to a close, Nandini keeps her feelings to herself and departs Arjun's house in sadness. After a few days, Arjun realizes his love for Nandini and follows her to Ooty, where he proposes to her in a park, but she rejects him. Determined to win her heart, Arjun pursues Nandini, who proceeds to give him the cold shoulder, even humiliating him in the hospital, where she is recuperating after a vicious attack by goons. Heartbroken, Arjun is about to depart Ooty, when Nandini catches up to him. She confesses that she was testing him to see if he truly loved her and finally proposes to him. The couple finally share their first kiss.
One song from the soundtrack, "Neene Modula Neene Kone", was sung by Shreya Ghoshal.[4]
The film got a mixed reception from critics. A review in The Times of India reads, "Go and watch Kiss if love stories are your cup of tea".[5] Bangalore Mirror called it "A typical young romance that goes on for an extended session in what can be described as an overmuch [sic] of vanilla chocolate".[6] A critic from the Deccan Chronicle wrote that the film "is a good one-time watch, especially for those who simply love the love stories of all kinds".[7] A review in The New Indian Express stated that "With KISS, Arjun's intention to cater to the younger generation is quite evident, and it makes for a decent one-time watch".[8] The Deccan Herald wrote that "'Kiss' is hardly even a one-time watch".[9]
Director A. P. Arjun stated in an interview that he is planning to make a sequel to Kiss.[10]