There’s something about love stories set in the hills, be it the misty mornings, old-world charm and the belief that life and love might just take an unexpected turn. Musafir Café, the eight-episode romantic drama based on Divya Prakash Dubey’s bestselling novel of the same name, which recently dropped on OTT, is one such story that has struck a chord with audiences. Set in Mussoorie, the show stars Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto, and Mahima Makwana, and delves into love, ambition and life choices. With Season 2 already announced, we speak to director Ruchir Arun about the show's journey and what lies ahead.
When his writer and showrunner, Sharanya Rajgopal, first brought the project to him, what caught Arun’s attention were the names of the characters — Chander, Sudha and Preeti (Pammi in the novel). “Also, the fact that it was a beautiful love story got me excited, because the desire to love and be loved is the most universal human experience. And though we have infused Musafir Cafe with an old-world charm of a classic romance, the journeys of its characters felt very contemporary. Chander, Sudha, and Preeti face dilemmas that many of us have experienced or eventually will. And this includes questions about timing, growing apart, evolving as individuals, and discovering that we don't love the same way at 30 as we did at 20.”
The overwhelming response to the series has also led to the announcement of a second season. For Arun, the audience's desire to see these characters continue their journey is the biggest motivation. “The love and response that Musafir Cafe has received is a testament to the fact that people want to see the story of these characters continue. There really is no greater motivation for us as storytellers than knowing that the audience wants to take this journey with them a little further. We’re extremely excited. Musafir Cafe has always been about the journey of these characters, and not just about the finish line. While it’s exciting to see Chander, Sudha and Preeti continue their journey, I’m equally excited to discover the people they meet, the experiences they have and how those encounters shape them along the way. There’s so much more to explore, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Speaking about adapting the novel for the screen, Arun is quick to credit writer Sharanya, who had already written the first drafts of the screenplay before he came on board. “To be honest, by the time I came on board, the first drafts of the screenplay had already been written by her. So the actual work of adapting Divya Prakash Dubey’s book had largely been done by her. As a director, my focus then was on preserving the soul of these characters, and the authenticity of the world. More than recreating the novel, I wanted audiences to believe these people were real, and to see themselves in Chander, Sudha, and Preeti.”
That approach also meant making some changes to the source material. Arun recalls feeling nervous about shooting a crucial scene that differed from the novel, although he found reassurance in the author's faith in the adaptation. “Without giving spoilers, there is a crucial moment in the show towards the end that is different from the book. There is something that binds Chander and Sudha together, which we have not kept in the show. However, what was incredibly reassuring was the faith and generosity of Divya Prakash Dubey. He had read all the scripts and encouraged us to take creative swings with the material. That kind of trust from the author gave us immense confidence to take the story in a slightly different direction.”
The show's exploration of love and relationships also finds resonance in a time when dating apps and algorithms have changed the way people meet. But according to Arun, technology can only create an opportunity for connection; what happens afterwards remains deeply personal. “I think dating apps are simply a way for people to connect. Given the pace at which we live today, it's becoming harder to meet new people organically. These platforms create opportunities to meet someone you otherwise never would. As for algorithms, they can only introduce people, they can't make anyone fall in love. Love, commitment, and the decision to build a relationship remain deeply human choices. And if two people are only looking for a connection without a long-term commitment, that's their choice too. As long as it's mutual and honest, there shouldn't be any judgment.”
Working with the show's lead cast was another highlight for Arun. He describes Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto, and Mahima Makwana as 'incredibly warm and wonderful to work with'. He says, “Vikrant is a phenomenal actor with a wealth of experience, but what stood out to me even more was his generosity towards his co-actors. It's genuinely humbling to watch. Vedika and Mahima are both tremendously talented. The amount of hard work they put into understanding their characters and truly getting under their skin was remarkable. They picked up on the finest nuances, which made my job as a director so much easier every single day on set. I'm really happy they're receiving so much love for their performances. They’ve absolutely earned it.”
With OTT audiences now exposed to stories from across the world, Arun believes Indian storytellers are being pushed to constantly raise their standards. “It challenges us to constantly raise our craft. Today's audiences have access to the best stories from around the world, so we have to work harder to tell richer, more layered stories with stronger storytelling. That's a good thing. It pushes us to be better. We can no longer take audiences for granted. If a story doesn't resonate with them, they'll simply move on to one that does.”
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