Movies
FNP Media releases short film ‘Softer Kiss’ to commemorate Pride Month
Mumbai: FNP Media, a rising name in video content creation, announces the release of its short film titled ‘Softer Kiss.’ Scheduled to release on 23 June in celebration of Pride Month, the film aims to foster inclusivity, acceptance, and love for the LGBTQ+ community.
‘Softer Kiss’ delves into the life of two same -sex lovers and displays the emotions of love, discovery and acceptance. The film encourages viewers to embrace diversity and challenges prevailing stereotypes, aiming to create a more inclusive and empathetic society.
With a runtime of 8 minutes and 22 seconds, ‘Softer Kiss’ is directed by filmmaker Akriti Singh. The film stars a talented ensemble cast including Khusbu Atre acclaimed for her portrayal in Criminal Justice and notable films such as Akira and Raazi. She will be seen delivering a captivating performance as she embodies the lead couple in the emotionally charged narrative. The film is produced by Ferns N Petals and FNP Media managing director and founder Vikaas Gutgutia.
Gutgutia quotes on the launch, “We believe that love knows no boundaries and with ‘Softer Kiss’ we strive to celebrate diversity and promote acceptance. We aim to curate content which paves the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society. With this heartfelt narrative, we aim to spread awareness about LGBTQ+ community and promote greater understanding of love in all forms.”
FNP Media is a venture of the well-known brand Ferns N Petals, which specializes in the production of short films, web series and TV commercials. Short films produced by FNP Media received love from the audience, like Blind Love, Mazaak, 2100 FT, Gudgudi, Time Time Ki Baat, Almariyaan, Dahej Ka Scooter, etc. All the short films have got the love of crores of viewers. FNP Media’s YouTube channel has more than 1.2 million subscribers, which is a big deal in itself. With Softer Kiss, FNP Media projects its commitment to promoting equality and celebrating love in all its forms. The film will be streaming on the official YouTube channel of FNP Media.
Movies
Green Gold Animation creates CG character for Telugu film Rākāsā
Chhota Bheem studio expands into mainstream VFX with dialogue-free digital lead.
MUMBAI: Green Gold Animation, the house that gave India Chhota Bheem, is now stepping out of the kids’ zone and into the big screen with a rather silent but powerful performer. The Hyderabad-based studio’s VFX division has delivered a fully computer-generated character for the upcoming Telugu-language comedy-fantasy thriller Rākāsā, set for theatrical release on 3 April 2026. Directed by Manasa Sharma and produced by Niharika Konidela under Pink Elephant Pictures in collaboration with Zee Studios, the film marks a notable move for Green Gold into complex, character-driven work for mainstream cinema.
What makes the project stand out is its ambitious central character, a completely digital creation that does not speak a single line. Instead, the character relies entirely on animation, movement, facial expressions and body language to convey emotion and connect with audiences. This is a relatively unexplored approach in Telugu cinema at this scale.
Green Gold’s VFX team was involved from early pre-production through to final delivery, completing over 750 CG shots with a team of more than 100 artists. The work included detailed character animation, performance design and fluid simulations, all executed within tight timelines and practical budgets through strong planning and close collaboration.
Green Gold Animation founder & CEO Rajiv Chilaka said the project pushed the team to approach character creation differently. “Building a fully digital character where every emotion had to come through performance and detailing was very meaningful,” he noted.
Green Gold VFX supervisor and VFX creative director Murali Manohar Reddy added that the emotional depth had to be communicated entirely through visual performance. “This wasn’t about reinventing technology, but about using our tools and processes with precision to serve the story,” he said.
Producer Niharika Konidela praised the collaboration, saying the Green Gold VFX team understood the vision and brought strong detail and emotion to the character while working within practical constraints.
The film blends humour, action and mythological elements, following an NRI protagonist on a chaotic and magical adventure. It stars Sangeet Shobhan, Nayan Sarika, Vennela Kishore, Brahmaji and Ashish Vidyarthi, with music by Anudeep Dev.
For a studio best known for colourful kids’ animation, delivering a silent, emotionally expressive CG lead for a mainstream theatrical release is quite the plot twist. With Rākāsā, Green Gold Animation is quietly proving it can speak volumes even without dialogue.
