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In today’s world kissing scenes in films have become a norm with both big-screen productions and OTT platforms showcasing intimate moments without hesitation. The digital space in particular has allowed for more creativity with bold and sizzling scenes being explored freely. However if we look back there was a time when such scenes were highly censored with the censor board strictly regulating how much intimacy could be shown. The impact of a scene on viewers or society was always a consideration. It was a time when even a simple gesture like a kiss or a close embrace between the hero and heroine was unheard of. The idea of on-screen intimacy was so conservative that actors did not even venture close to one another. Bollywoods first lip-lock scene later got banned But amidst this restrictive period one actress dared to break the rules setting a landmark in the history of Hindi cinema. She was none other than Devika Rani who became the first actress to feature in a full-on kissing scene on-screen. This scene filmed nearly 92 years ago was a turning point in Indian cinema. Devika Rani a legend from the black-and-white era delivered this bold act in the 1933 film Karma which remains iconic in the history of Indian cinema. Karma was a groundbreaking film in more ways than one. Not only was it one of the earliest films to feature a kissing scene but it was also a commercial success. Devika Rani starred opposite Himanshu Rai who was also the producer of the film. According to popular anecdotes Himanshu Rai had fallen in love with Devika Rani and offered her the role in Karma. The chemistry between the two was undeniable and this chemistry led to the first-ever on-screen kiss in Hindi cinema. The kiss in Karma lasted for nearly four minutes and considering the era in which it was filmed it was both daring and revolutionary. Take a look here: Devika Rani’s on-screen kiss broke all conventions and while it was controversial at the time it paved the way for a new era in Indian filmmaking where intimacy on-screen became more accepted albeit slowly. It is hard to imagine the boldness required for such a scene in 1933 yet Devika Rani’s fearless portrayal left a lasting impact on Indian cinema.