Timed for Friendship Week, the short film is scheduled to premiere at midnight on Thursday, August 6, 2026, exclusively on the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel.
Premise & Key Cast
Featuring a cast led by Adrija Sinha, Parul Rana, Saksham Raj, and Preeti Kochar, Bobby Beauty Parlour centers on two childhood best friends, Eelu and Manu:
The Logline: On their final afternoon together before parting ways, the pair finds themselves trapped inside a neighborhood beauty parlor—drinking, napping, bickering, and desperately holding on to a time that is fast slipping away.
Production Crew: The project is produced by Janhavi Asthana (who also served as the co-writer and cinematographer), Ranjan Singh, and Anurag Kashyap.
Presenters' Statements: Nostalgia & Real-World Bonds
The collaboration marks a rare creative alignment between Ali and Kashyap, whose friendship dates back to their formative college days in Delhi.
Reflecting on the film, Imtiaz Ali shared: "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."
Anurag Kashyap, who curates content for the Oh Short Flips channel alongside producer Ranjan Singh, described it as a "simple story, simply told":
"It's about friendship, aspirations, and growing up. The best part is the producer Janhavi is also the co-writer and shot the film. Director Shashwat started out with me, and seeing his growth feels so personal."
Festival Background & Digital Strategy
Having traveled across various international film festivals, Bobby Beauty Parlour is making its public debut directly on digital media to reach a global audience during Friendship Week.
Director Shashwat Dwivedi noted that releasing the short on YouTube holds personal significance, having learned much of his craft through the platform before gaining the backing of two of his primary directorial influences.
Trade Verdict:
As digital platforms become vital avenues for independent shorts, the joint endorsement by Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap gives Bobby Beauty Parlour high visibility among cinephiles seeking grounded, character-driven storytelling.
