Mahima Makwana on 'Musafir Cafe': How Mussoorie shaped her role as Preeti
Synopsis
Before a single scene was shot, Mahima Makwana wandered the lanes of Mussoorie with a backpack and earphones — and came back with her character. Her account of how a hill town unlocked Preeti is the most compelling behind-the-scenes detail from 'Musafir Cafe', Netflix's adaptation of Divya Prakash Dubey's novel, arriving 24 July.
Key Takeaways
Mahima Makwana plays Preeti in 'Musafir Cafe' , premiering on Netflix on 24 July .
She arrived in Mussoorie days before filming and explored the town independently to connect with her character.
The series is adapted from the novel by Divya Prakash Dubey , written by Sharanya Rajgopal , and directed by Ruchir Arun .
The cast includes Vikrant Massey , Vedika Pinto , Adil Hussain , and Rajeev Siddhartha , among others.
The production is backed by Terribly Tiny Tales (TTT) and Homemade Stories .
Actress Mahima Makwana has revealed that a pre-shoot visit to Mussoorie proved instrumental in helping her inhabit the character of Preeti in the upcoming drama 'Musafir Cafe', set to premiere on Netflix on 24 July. The actress arrived in the hill town a few days ahead of filming and found the experience transformative — not just personally, but creatively.
Finding Preeti in the Mountains
Makwana described arriving in Mussoorie with nothing more than a backpack and a pair of earphones, wandering through the town's most popular spots before the cameras rolled. 'I took my backpack, put on my earphones, and strolled around. I went to the most touristy spots, walked around, got lost in the beauty of the place, and actually found Preeti,' she said.
The actress, who has long considered herself a self-proclaimed mountain person, said the town welcomed her immediately. 'Mussoorie is nothing less than magic. It made me feel like I belonged the moment I stepped in. I've always felt that I'm a mountain girl! From having momos, to chai, to tiramisu and parathas, Mussoorie was a beauty,' Makwana added.
What Makes 'Musafir Cafe' Stand Out
'Musafir Cafe' is a cinematic adaptation of the celebrated novel by Divya Prakash Dubey, created and written for the screen by Sharanya Rajgopal, and directed by Ruchir Arun. Makwana credited the writing as the soul of the project, singling out the craft behind all three central characters. 'The writing, the soul of the show, makes it so, so special. All three characters are written exceptionally beautifully. I had a wonderful time working with TTT, Vikrant, and my director, Ruchir Arun,' she said.
The production is backed by Terribly Tiny Tales (TTT) in association with Homemade Stories — a pairing that brings TTT's signature intimate storytelling to a longer format for the streaming platform.
Cast and Creative Team
Alongside Makwana, 'Musafir Cafe' features an ensemble that includes Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto, Adil Hussain, Rajeev Siddhartha, Anubha Fatehpuria, Loveleen Mishra, and Sadia Siddiqui in key roles. The combination of an acclaimed literary source, a strong ensemble, and a Mussoorie backdrop positions the series as one of the more anticipated drama releases of the month on Netflix India.
Personal Impact
Makwana said the project left a mark beyond the professional. 'Musafir Cafe made me fall in love with myself,' she noted, suggesting the role of Preeti offered her a degree of introspection rarely found on set. The series is slated to drop on Netflix on 24 July.
Point of View
A platform built on micro-storytelling, is now backing a full-length Netflix adaptation of a beloved novel. Whether the intimacy that defined the source material survives the format expansion is the real question 'Musafir Cafe' must answer when it drops on 24 July.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does 'Musafir Cafe' release on Netflix?
'Musafir Cafe' is set to premiere on Netflix on 24 July. The series is backed by Terribly Tiny Tales and Homemade Stories.
Who is Mahima Makwana playing in 'Musafir Cafe'?
Mahima Makwana plays the character Preeti in 'Musafir Cafe'. She has described the role as one that made her 'fall in love with herself'.
What is 'Musafir Cafe' based on?
'Musafir Cafe' is a cinematic adaptation of the novel by Divya Prakash Dubey. It has been written for the screen by Sharanya Rajgopal and directed by Ruchir Arun.
Who else is in the cast of 'Musafir Cafe'?
The series features Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto, Adil Hussain, Rajeev Siddhartha, Anubha Fatehpuria, Loveleen Mishra, and Sadia Siddiqui in key roles alongside Mahima Makwana.
How did Mussoorie help Mahima Makwana prepare for her role?
Makwana arrived in Mussoorie a few days before filming began and explored the town on her own — visiting tourist spots, eating local food, and wandering without a fixed plan. She says this unstructured time helped her organically discover the character of Preeti.
