Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Kashyap unite to present short film 'Bobby Beauty Parlour'
Mumbai, August 3
Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap have collaborated to present 'Bobby Beauty Parlour,' a coming-of-age short film premiering during Friendship Week, reported Variety.
Directed by Shashwat Dwivedi, 'Bobby Beauty Parlour' follows childhood best friends Eelu and Manu, who spend their last hours together drinking, napping and bickering in a neighbourhood beauty parlour, unwilling to let go of a chapter of life that is ending.
The film is produced by Janhavi Asthana, who also serves as co-writer and cinematographer, along with Ranjan Singh and Kashyap. Singh produces the film, and Kashyap curates it for the channel.
According to the outlet, Ali and Kashyap have known each other since their student days in Delhi, and the short marks an unusual pairing of the two directors on a single project.
"The most spectacular moments of life don't scream, but remain a part of our character forever. It is such moments that make 'Bobby Beauty Parlour' charming. The film got me remembering my own small hometown, my adolescent decisions and friends that I always carried with me," said Imtiaz Ali as quoted by Variety.
Kashyap previously curated 'Incognito' for the same YouTube channel last month, and described "Bobby Beauty Parlour" as a "simple story, simply told."
"About friendship, aspirations and growing up, and the best part is the producer Janhavi is also the co-writer and shot the film. The director Shashwat is someone who started with me whose growth has been so much and feels so personal," said Anurag Kashyap as quoted by Variety.
The short stars Adrija Sinha, Parul Rana, Saksham Raj and Preeti Kochar. It will debut at midnight on August 6, exclusively on the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This sounds like such a warm, slice-of-life film. Beauty parlours are such an integral part of small-town India—where gossip flows, friendships are made, and dreams are discussed. Imtiaz Ali's quote about his hometown really resonates. Friendships that shape us are the ones we never forget. ❤️
Interesting to see two distinct auteurs come together. Kashyap's raw realism and Ali's poetic nostalgia—that's a powerful combination. The fact that the producer also shot the film adds an authentic indie touch. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
The premise reminds me of those last days before moving to a new city for college—when you just hang out with your best friends, doing nothing significant but holding onto the moment. The beauty parlour setting is such a unique choice for a coming-of-age story, hats off to the team for thinking beyond the usual coffee shop or terrace scenes. This will be special!
As someone who grew up in a small town, the beauty parlour is indeed a sacred space for women—it's where we celebrated birthdays, prepped for weddings, and shared our deepest secrets. This film sounds beautifully intimate. Kudos to Janhavi for taking on triple duty as producer, writer, and cinematographer. That's serious dedication.
I appreciate the concept but I hope they don't romanticise small-town life too much. The real India has its share of struggles, and sometimes these films feel too sanitised. That said, Anurag Kashyap usually keeps it grounded, so I'll give this a shot. Also, releasing it during Friendship Week is smart timing.
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