Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap will present the short film “Bobby Beauty Parlour”, which is set to premiere on the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel on August 6.
Directed by Shashwat Dwivedi, the film stars Adrija Sinha, Parul Rana, Saksham Raj and Preeti Kochar, among others. It is produced by Janhavi Asthana, Ranjan Singh and Kashyap.
The film follows childhood friends Eelu and Manu as they spend their final afternoon together trapped inside a neighbourhood beauty parlour. The two drink, nap and bicker as they struggle to hold on to a friendship and a phase of life that is quickly coming to an end.
Ali said the film reminded him of his own childhood, hometown and friendships.
“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,” he said in a statement.
Kashyap, who began curating films for the YouTube channel with “Incognito”, described the project as a “simple story, simply told” about friendship, aspirations and growing up.
He also praised producer and co-writer Asthana and director Dwivedi, saying the latter had started his filmmaking journey with him and that watching his growth felt personal.
Dwivedi said he was pleased that the film would be released on YouTube, a platform through which he learnt much of his filmmaking.
“It is also tough to believe that two of my favourite filmmakers are presenting the film, both of whom have had a great impact on my life. I really hope it reaches a wide audience and people start missing their friends after watching it,” he said.