The first look of Amit Masurkar’s next production Dreamboat, a 24-minute fantasy short film, was unveiled on Thursday. The film is set to have its world premiere at Dharamshala International Film Festival.
Featuring Sofia Ashraf, Supriya Joshi, Tenzin Dalha and Prayrak Mehta in lead cast, Dreamboat follows the story of an underground musician whose unconventional romance with her beloved pillow is violently cut short by her mother. As she she spirals into a delirious odyssey through Mumbai, searching for love and connection in an increasingly alienating city, her friendships, desires, and grip on reality are tested by an enigmatic homeless poet.
The film marks acting debut for Sofia, the rapper, artist and activist known for her viral protest single ‘Kodaikanal Won’t.’ The supporting cast includes Moses Koul and Gurpal Singh.
Aastha Tiku who makes her directorial debut with the short, is known for writing Sherni (2021). Aastha said on the occasion, “Dreamboat literally came to me in a dream and I spent a few months trying to decipher it and mould it into a screenplay. I wanted the world of the film to feel relatable, at the same time coded in dream logic. Through the fantasy genre with a female protagonist the intent was to capture the relationship of an artist and her muse - a pillow. The film allowed me to follow my instincts and make something honest, punk and experiential.”
Amit Masurkar, who is known for Newton (2017), Sherni (2021) and the cult indie comedy Sulemani Keeda (2014), added, “What drew me to Dreamboat was its unconventional premise and the treatment boards Aastha had prepared for the film. I love how she used pop culture, music, colour, language, fashion to create this campy and surreal fever dream. We are excited to begin our festival journey with DIFF.”
DIFF is scheduled between October 29 to November 1, 2026.