Pillows, Poets, and Punk: 'Dreamboat' to Premiere at DIFF 2026
Aastha Tiku makes her directorial debut with 'Dreamboat', a surreal comedy drama premiering at the Dharamshala International Film Festival 2026.
The cinematic landscape is about to get a dose of the wonderfully weird. Aastha Tiku, the creative mind behind the ecological thriller Sherni (2021), is stepping into the director's chair for the first time with her comedy drama Dreamboat movie premiere set for the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) 2026.
Produced by National Award winner Amit Masurkar—the visionary behind Newton and Sulemani Keeda—this 24-minute short film promises to be a surreal journey that defies conventional storytelling logic.
A Surreal Odyssey Through Mumbai
At first glance, the premise of Dreamboat sounds like a fever dream. The story centers on an underground musician whose world is turned upside down when her unconventional romance with her beloved pillow is violently ended by her mother.
This loss triggers a delirious odyssey across the sprawling city of Mumbai. As the protagonist spirals, her friendships, desires, and very grip on reality are put to the test, guided by the presence of an enigmatic homeless poet. Adding a layer of the supernatural to the absurdity, the abandoned pillow begins to develop a will of its own as the musician searches for connection in an increasingly alienating urban environment.
Blending Camp, Punk, and Fantasy
Dreamboat isn't just a story; it's an aesthetic experiment. Drawing heavily from pop culture, fantasy, and the absurd, the film utilizes a "camp" aesthetic to make the bizarre feel strangely relatable. It positions itself in the lineage of Indian cult classics like Mani Kaul's Duvidha and Kamal Swaroop's Om-Dar-Ba-Dar, using the fantastical to uncover deeply human truths.
The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Sofia Ashraf, Supriya Joshi, Tenzin Dalha, and Prayrak Mehta in prominent roles.
Inside the Creative Vision
Writer-director Aastha Tiku revealed that the concept for the film was born from a literal dream. She spent several months deciphering the imagery to mold it into a screenplay.
"I wanted the world of the film to feel relatable, at the same time coded in dream logic," Tiku stated. "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."
Producer Amit Masurkar was equally captivated by Tiku's vision, specifically the treatment boards she developed. He praised her ability to blend music, fashion, color, and language to create a "surreal fever dream."
Mark Your Calendars
The world premiere at the Dharamshala International Film Festival marks the official start of the film's festival circuit. Audiences can experience this blend of punk sensibilities and dreamlike storytelling during the festival, which runs from October 29 to November 1.