Richa Chadha Unveils Trailer of Musafiri, Her First Non-Fiction Series and YouTube Foray!
Hosted, produced and written by #RichaChadha, the eight-episode series offers an insightful exploration of Mumbai, uncovering the hidden stories, people, heritage, and forgotten histories that define the iconic city beyond its famous surface.
Richa Chadha is all set to embark on a new journey as she unveils the trailer of Musafiri, her first-ever non-fiction series and her first foray into the world of YouTube. Hosted, produced and written by Richa herself, the eight-episode series will premiere on Phull Stop, the new YouTube channel launched by Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, with the first episode set to drop on September 25, followed by a new episode every Friday.
Musafiri marks the second production under Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s Pushing Buttons Studios, following the acclaimed Girls Will Be Girls, which went on to win major honours at Sundance with Chadha also being awarded the John Cassevettes prize at Indie Spirit Awards, LA. The idea for the series was born out of her journey into motherhood and beyond, which sparked a renewed sense of curiosity about the world around her and, most significantly, about the city she has called home for years.
The trailer opens with Richa reflecting on motherhood and the way becoming a mother made her look at the familiar with an entirely new sense of wonder. A history honours student from St. Stephen’s College and someone who grew up in a family of academics, Richa has always carried a deep curiosity about art, history, culture and people. With Musafiri, she turns that gaze towards Mumbai, asking a deceptively simple question – How well does she really know the city that has given her so much?
The first season of Musafiri is dedicated entirely to Mumbai, a city that has shaped Richa’s life and career and, in many ways, given her the life she has today. Rather than exploring the city through its most familiar landmarks and stories, the series seeks to look beyond the obvious, venturing into its lesser-known histories, overlooked spaces, fascinating characters and untold stories.
Across eight episodes, Richa becomes a curious traveller in her own city, exploring Mumbai through conversations with local residents, cultural practitioners, historians and experts.
At its heart, Musafiri is about asking questions, about People Places and Pyaar.
Speaking about Musafiri, Richa Chadha says, “Motherhood changed the way I look at the world. It makes you curious all over again , you start questioning things you have taken for granted, looking at the familiar with a completely different sense of wonder. I found名 In standard conversational flow, I found myself asking so many questions about the city I have lived in for years. Do I really know Mumbai? How much of this city do I actually know? And a question that stayed with me was, a city that has given me so much, what do I owe it in return?
“I have always been curious about history, art, culture and people. I was a history honours student and grew up in a family where academics and curiosity were very much a part of our lives. Musafiri felt like a natural extension of that part of me. It is my attempt to travel through a city I thought I knew, but with fresh eyes.”
Produced by Pushing Buttons Studios, Musafiri marks a new creative chapter for Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal as they expand their production slate into non-fiction. The series will premiere on newly minted Phull Stop YouTube Channel on September 25, with eight episodes releasing every Friday.
By Keerti Kadam