Anurag Kashyap-Backed 'Aakhri Ride' Sets Halloween YouTube Release
The debut short film 'Aakhri Ride,' presented by Anurag Kashyap and Vasan Bala, will have its worldwide release on the YouTube channel Oh Short Flips on October 31.
Anurag Kashyap and Vasan Bala are presenting the worldwide Halloween release of the debut short film 'Aakhri Ride.' The thriller, written and directed by first-timers Vijesh Rajan and Yashoda Parthasarthy, will premiere on the YouTube channel Oh Short Flips on October 31.
Kashyap, who has worked with the duo since his 'Gangs of Wasseypur' days, said backing their directorial debut was an easy decision. He expressed excitement to see the audience's response to their first film. Vasan Bala called the short sharp, fun, quirky, and with a beating heart. He described Rajan as a VFX 'Wiz Kid' with a sensitive storytelling core. "Coming on board was a nano second decision, a no brainer," Bala said.
Film’s theme emerges from real Mumbai ride-share experiences
The directors traced the film's idea to their long taxi rides home after meetings across Mumbai. They began to notice an invisible social divide. They were enjoying the comfort of being driven home, while the driver was trying to make ends meet. The directors said they’d be sitting in the back seat, talking about work or sitting in silence, while the driver was often carrying a completely different world on his phone. They shared a small space but knew little about each other’s lives.
This observation inspired a narrative of a Mumbai ride-share driver pushed to his breaking point during one frightening Halloween night. The pair set out to examine that gap through a mix of horror and comedy. The film is built around a man so weighed down by daily problems that he fails to see what he has picked up.
Cast and production details confirm strong indie backing
The film features a cast headlined by Chandan Roy from 'Panchayat' and Aamir Dalvi from 'Kennedy.' Faisal Malik, also known for 'Panchayat,' appears in a special role. The project is produced by Ranjan Singh, Vishesh Agrawal, Rajan EPK, and Anurag Kashyap. It is backed by Navaras Pictures in association with Plexus Motion Pictures and Flip Films.
Festival success precedes global YouTube release on Halloween
'Aakhri Ride' has completed a global festival run ahead of its digital debut. Its circuit included major genre events and Oscar- and BAFTA-qualifying festivals.
The directors said they hope viewers laugh, get spooked, and maybe think a little about the person driving them home. The film will release worldwide on the YouTube channel Oh Short Flips, which is curated by Anurag Kashyap, on Halloween Day, October 31.
