Santosh Gents Saloon

Santosh Gents Saloon is on the ground floor of Annapurna Tower. It’s on the main Rajarhat road in Baguihati, right across from where Arati Cinema used to be. The area has changed a lot with all the new buildings, but we stay the same. It’s a narrow shop with a few high chairs. I’ve been cutting hair here since the time when tickets at the cinema were cheap. Now there’s more traffic outside. We do shaves, head massages, and haircuts. Most of the men who come here are regulars from the nearby flats. They like that we don't rush things. A head massage takes time, and we do it properly with the oil. The towels are clean but sometimes they look a bit worn out. We have a big mirror that covers the whole wall. It’s a bit dusty in the corners because of the road construction nearby. My assistant helps with the cleaning when he’s not busy. We don't have air conditioning, just a ceiling fan that works hard in the Kolkata heat. People come in, complain about the weather, get their hair cut, and leave. It’s a routine. We open early in the morning before the sun gets too hot. It’s just a regular gents' shop. Nothing more, nothing less. We just keep our scissors moving and try to make sure everyone leaves looking a bit neater. There's a water dispenser in the corner for the customers.