Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap Team Up to Present Coming-of-Age Short Film 'Bobby Beauty Parlour'

Longtime friends and creative confidants Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap have officially joined hands to present Bobby Beauty Parlour, a short film celebrating the tender, funny, and quiet nostalgia of growing up.

Directed by Shashwat Dwivedi, the coming-of-age drama follows childhood best friends Eelu and Manu. On their final afternoon together, the pair finds themselves trapped inside a neighborhood beauty parlour—drinking, napping, bickering, and desperately holding on to a time that is slipping away.

The film is set to premiere on August 6 midnight on the 'Oh Short Flips' YouTube channel, backed by producer Ranjan Singh and curated by Kashyap.

While Ali and Kashyap’s friendship stretches back to their university days together in Delhi, the project marks a rare instance of the two acclaimed filmmakers joining forces.

“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,” shared Ali.

Produced by Janhavi Asthana (who also serves as the film's co-writer and cinematographer), Singh, and Kashyap, the short stars Adrija Sinha, Parul Rana, Saksham Raj, and Preeti Kochar.

Kashyap also voiced his thoughts on the project, calling it a “simple story, simply told.”

To him, the film is about aspirations, friendship and growing up, "and the best part is the producer Janhavi is also the co-writer and shot the film. Shashwat, is someone that started out with me whose growth has been so much and feels so personal,” he added.

Singh, whose creative partnership with Kashyap spans over three decades, says that the short has travelled to various festivals across the world. "It essentially is a heart-warming story about friends, life and its realities and fits perfectly for a friendship week release.”

Dwivedi also opened up about the film's focus on childhood as something that often gets overlooked. He added, "It's also tough to believe that two of my favourite film makers 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."