Director Shashwat Dwivedi’s short film Bobby Beauty Parlour has two of India’s most respected filmmakers—Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap—attached as presenters. The 18-minute film, which premiered on August 6, 2026, on the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel, tells the story of two childhood best friends spending their final afternoon together inside a neighbourhood beauty parlour.
The film has already made its mark at independent film events, including the Dharamshala International Film Festival and the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Dwivedi spoke about how the project came together and what it means to have two directors he deeply admires presenting his work.
The Story Behind ‘Bobby Beauty Parlour’
Bobby Beauty Parlour follows Eelu and Manu, two childhood friends who find themselves trapped inside a neighbourhood beauty salon on the hottest day of the year. The salon owner suffers a heatstroke, leaving the two girls alone with their thoughts, their drinks, and the weight of an impending separation. Eelu is about to leave for college in Pune, and Manu works at the salon. One is leaving. One is staying. The film explores what that separation feels like from both sides.
Dwivedi based the story loosely on his own teenage years and the anxieties of entering adulthood. He co-wrote the script with Janhavi Asthana, who also served as producer and cinematographer. The film features Adrija Sinha, Parul Rana, Saksham Raj, and Preeti Kochar in key roles.
Talking about the film’s origin, Dwivedi shared, “The origin was a bunch of things coming together. My co-writer Janhavi Ashthana, who is the producer and the cinematographer of the film and me wanted to make something, since the time we were working together on Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy“. He added that Asthana approached him with the story and asked if he would be interested in writing and directing it.
One detail that stands out is how Dwivedi handled the male character in the story. Asthana had initially asked him to direct because the only male part was rather unpleasant, and she wanted to compensate for that. Dwivedi’s response was unexpected. “I came in and made him an even worse character! Because some experiences are very objectively through, and even if I am not a woman… and not experienced that, but I am on either side of it. I have seen my male friends behave with girls like that, and I knew that the story was coming from a very personal and true place,” he explained.
How Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap Came On Board
Having two celebrated directors present a short film is no small achievement. For Dwivedi, it happened almost by accident. He was not even thinking about getting a presenter when he started making the film. A casual meeting with Anurag Kashyap changed everything.
“When I ran into Anurag sir, I casually mentioned the film. He found it cool and came on board,” Dwivedi told mid-day. Kashyap, who had previously curated Incognito for the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel, described Bobby Beauty Parlour as a “simple story, simply told”.
Kashyap and co-producer Ranjan Singh then showed the film to Imtiaz Ali. Ali liked the friendship drama so much that he decided to attach his name to it.
In a statement, Ali shared his thoughts on the film: “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”.
A Dream Come True for the Director
For Dwivedi, having both filmmakers present his work is almost hard to believe. He recalled his time in film school, where he used to read Imtiaz Ali’s screenplays and his screenwriting teacher was a huge Ali fan. “His filmography really grew on me, the way he treats his characters… it is so real. It is a commercial film but it will always feel so philosophical, which is almost a sin in commercial cinema!” Dwivedi said.
He added that Ali does not know how much he looks up to him. When he first came to Mumbai, working under Ali was at the top of his list. But fate had other plans. Dwivedi went on to work under Anurag Kashyap, who has remained a close friend of Ali for years.
Working with Kashyap has been a deeply personal experience for Dwivedi. Kashyap, who started curating films for the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel, said of Dwivedi, “The director Shashwat, is someone that started out with me whose growth has been so much and feels so personal”.
Dwivedi views Kashyap as “a father almost”. He also shared an amusing memory of embarrassing himself in front of Imtiaz Ali a few years ago. “Three or four years ago when I was Anurag sir’s DA [director’s assistant], Imtiaz sir visited him. Anurag sir was making fun of me, introducing me as a crazy fan while I was just cringing and embarrassing myself. At that point, I didn’t think that both of them would present my film one day,” he recalled.
Keeping His Creative Vision Intact
Despite having two renowned filmmakers as presenters, Dwivedi maintained his creative control. Kashyap gave some edit suggestions, which Dwivedi did not incorporate. “He lets people bloom in their own way. He is not controlling,” Dwivedi said.
Dwivedi also spoke about his approach to filmmaking, drawing inspiration from both Ali and Kashyap. If Ali’s movies have taught him to tell personal stories, he views Kashyap’s mentorship as invaluable.
A Film About Friendship and Growing Up
The film’s release during Friendship Week feels appropriate. It is a story about the grief of growing up—realising that the life you shared with someone is changing, and that video calls or holiday visits can never make things feel exactly the same again.
Dwivedi described the film as a reflection of his confused teenage years. “Like my characters, I was also hopeful and excited, but also clueless. I made this film to capture the anxiety of growing up and the cost one pays for it,” he said in a statement. “The intention behind the film was to tell a story that otherwise may remain unsaid if not made today and the way we made it”.
He called Bobby Beauty Parlour “a letter to my younger self who, much like my present self, had no idea how his life would turn out to be”.
Where to Watch
Bobby Beauty Parlour is now streaming on the Oh Short Flips YouTube channel. The film runs for 18 minutes and is available for viewers worldwide. Check-
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