Musafiri Documentary Series - S1
The grandest experiment I have ever run (October 2024 till June 2026)
In October 2024, I came to a crossroads in my professional life.
My full-time job at that time was great, but something was lacking -
and we could both tell that something was lacking.
I think there's a time in every late-20something's life when they're faced with this kind of turning point, that makes you confront your comfort, your ambition, your purpose, and everything else.
This was mine.
Armed with my savings, my journalistic spidey-sense, and some excellent friends who were doing excellent things, I embarked upon the journey of a life - document these stories in the way I wanted to,
in order to cover women in travel&adventure&sports
in a way that I could build on, for the rest of my life.
The long stories short
Some of these stories fell into my lap. Some of them I barged my way into.
All of them are so, so full of heart.
I'm so proud to have featured/interviewed 36 women across these stories,
ranging from contemporary dance, rock climbing and cycling to folk music and rugby.
They've all been screened twice in Pune, with some in Bangalore and Mumbai -
if you were there, I hope you enjoyed the experience!
For those of you tuning in now - do grab a friend and a bucket of popcorn :)
These are best enjoyed as cinematic experiences for the human heart,
not "content" for the algorithm.
In V3 I will probably revisit that decision, and take on a style that's more friendly to digital distribution - after all, this is meant to be a business, not a side project.
But for this version, the (he)art won :)
Episode 1
"Raanti - The Film" is a story about contemporary dance, about wildness, about female friendships, about bad words, and so much more!
Following the movement installation "Raanti" choreographed by Maitreyee Joshi and performed by 678 CoLab, this film will remain one of the most special experiences of my personal and artistic life.
I didn't know much about dance before this, but I fell in love in the process. I hope you will too!
Episode 2
In Episode 2, we go behind the scenes at the annual event by the NGO Climb Like A Woman - 30 women,
5 days, a whole lot of sunshine and tan-lines and new friendships!
So many films about climbing and extreme sports are about competition, to see who is "better" - here, all that washes away, with strangers supporting strangers, everyone cheering on each other!
Episode 3
The only episode not to follow a girl gang, this one focuses on one woman's story - mine!
Since I started cycle touring in 2020, this route has been on the bucket list, and I'm so glad to have ticked it off this way! 8 days, 550 kilometres, full majja.
Came back with a renewed sense of confidence at my own perseverance - but also, MASSIVE props to cycle-youtubers who manage both the cycling and the filming! Way harder than it looks.
Hopefully I get more reps soon :)
Episode 4
Follow along as rapper Krantinaari and producer Charu Hariharan explore the folk music of Uttarakhand - in a schoolbus that's turned into a recording studio!
Sound of Women is a project that brings recording equipment and knowledge to talented women in the villages and lesser-explored areas of India, bridging the gap between immense talent, and the stages that these women should be on.
Plus, the early days of Musafiri were cooked up in Krantinaari's living room - a solid example of the softness and strength of women coming together!
Episode 5
When I told people I was working on a film about rugby, their first reaction was -- "we play rugby?" Women play rugby? In Maharashtra??"
Yes, and we're quite good at it!
Join us behind the scenes as the Maharashtra team prepares for Nationals, under the able guidance of former India captain Vahbiz Bharucha.
A slightly journalistic endeavour, this film unpacks the ecosystem of this grassroots sport, its rules and its stakes, and the lives of the women who play it.
Episode 6
The team spent weeks training for Nationals - but going for gold is a whole different matter! Join us for 45 minutes of PURE action.
Women's sports have never been covered this way before. I hope this is the beginning of something so much bigger!