We knew it would be a success: Neha Panda

 

The advertisement, titled The Visit, for kurta brand Anouk, went viral last week, and features Neha Panda and model Anupriya Goenka as a lesbian couple preparing to meet their parents to talk about their relationship.

 

BOLD: A screenshot from the ad that was released on YouTube

 

While Anupriya is all decked up, Neha is the tomboyish partner with cropped hair. “I acted all stiff and weird during the kissing-on-the cheek and holding-hands scenes. But after a few rehearsals we were comfortable.”

 

It’s about two lovers meeting each of their parents for the first time. She says, “There was nothing weird about the ad and it was subtle, even a boy and a girl would have been in a similar situation.”

 

Neha, though not being a lesbian herself, had to face some difficult questions after the ad became viral. “Some people assumed that this was my way of coming out in the open. But my friends and those who matter, know that I’m not gay and so I’m cool with it,” says Neha, with a giggle. Recently, she also got a chance to act as a transgender in a Bollywood film.

 

The reactions to the ad have been overwhelming for Neha and her phone hasn’t stopped ringing. “My parents did not know about it when I auditioned but when they saw it, they just criticised me for my acting, otherwise they were extremely supportive,” she says.

 

“The ad team was also sure that it would be a success as India is quite ready to accept people despite their personal choices. “An ad is made keeping the audience in mind. The research showed how accepting people are of the LGBT community. Things have changed for the better in the last two years,” adds Neha who has many friends from the LGBT community, and they are happy that something like this is happening in India, finally.