New Delhi: Barber of the Gods, a 20-minute short film set in the backdrop of a non-descript town, oozes with carefully crafted imagery of both magical realism and metaphysical world.
The film primarily revolves around the father–son duo who are barbers by profession and blessed with an extraordinary gift from God—-the ability to regrow hair on the head of a bald man in exchange for a portion of his lifespan.
As customers aged in the range of 30-35 years willingly forgo the years of their lives in exchange for being “good looking” and social acceptance, the family’s profession gets overwhelmed with elements of the metaphysical world.
What is more, the storyline featuring a divine barber serving the Gods exhibits the Hindu mythology which is beyond supernatural horror
Produced and directed by Sushant Nagpal who has an International Emmy award to his credit, the supernatural drama attempts to explore themes of faith, mortality, generational inheritance and the not-so-revealed costs of human desires to look good through the varied forms of facial expressions writ large on the face of its characters.
The veteran actor Kumud Mishra as Hari Babu has brought in depth, wisdom and emotion of menace in his role of both master barber and father of a son.
A scene in which Kumud Mishra as Hari Babu—-puffing out a cigarette—-looks at his son, Siddharth with piercing eyes and asks him to inherit the family’s profession, bears testimony to Mishra’s versatility as an actor. Nagpal skillfully extracted a nuanced and mature performance from Jaivardhan Lakhera as Siddharth who, through understated and subdued expressions—-of course only to be expected before father, a master barber—-brilliantly conveys the fear of destiny, burden of inheritance and the simmering unrest precipitated by inner psychological turmoil. A scene in which Siddharth cries hoarse and weeps bitterly for getting tonsured for good, speaks volumes about Lakhera’s acting prowess.willingly surrender fragments of their future in pursuit of vanity and social acceptance, the family business becomes entangled with forces far beyond the mortal realm.
Running parallel to this earthly narrative is a celestial timeline rooted in Hindu cosmology, where a divine master barber, Savita Maharishi, and his apprentice operate a barbershop serving the Gods themselves. When Siddharth, the barber’s reluctant son, is compelled to inherit the family profession, the boundaries between the mundane and the divine begin to dissolve, drawing him toward an unsettling darkness that threatens both worlds.
The film emerged from Nagpal’s fascination with the cultural rituals and taboos surrounding hair in India. Reflecting on questions such as why traditional barbershops rarely remain open after sunset and why haircuts are avoided on certain days, the filmmaker developed the concept of “Ashubh” — the notion of inauspiciousness that governs many everyday practices without clear explanation.
“Barber of the Gods examines the invisible systems of belief that shape our lives,” says Nagpal. “The film uses folklore and supernatural imagery to explore occupational trauma, generational inheritance, and the consequences of accepting rituals without questioning their origins.”
Described as a gothic, mytho-urban supernatural fable, the film combines atmospheric visual storytelling with elements of psychological horror, creating a uniquely Indian cinematic language that draws equally from mythology, folklore, and contemporary social realities.
The film’ s USP factor lies in its earthly and divine realms which cinematographer Manas Krishna has successfully created and blended. The narrative of the film as rooted in Hindu cosmology unveils its uniqueness.
The folklore and symbolism which Nagpal has used to test the unquestioned traditions and inherited responsibilities shape individual’ s destinies, beautifully capture the innermost feelings and emotions of father and son.
Eventually it could be said that it is a must-see film with its imaginative storytelling, cynosure visuals and above all wonderful performances by its characters.
Title: Barber of the Gods
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 20 Minutes
Genre: Supernatural Drama / Mythological Horror
Writer & Director: Sushant Nagpal
Cast: Kumud Mishra, Jaivardhan Lakhera
Cinematography: Manas Krishna
Festival Screenings
- Dharamshala International Film Festival (Official Selection)
- Habitat Film Festival, India Habitat Centre
Media Contact
For interviews, festival inquiries, screenings, and press materials, please contact the production team.
