Author Divya Prakash Dubey, whose novel Musafir Cafe has reached a wider audience through its screen adaptation, has spoken about the deep connection between his writing and his hometown, Lucknow. He says the city’s people, memories and everyday experiences continue to shape the emotions and ideas behind his stories.
Lucknow Continues to Inspire His Writing
During a recent visit to Lucknow, Dubey reflected on how growing up in the city influenced his creative journey. He recalled spending time on the roof of his family home, walking around and thinking during quieter periods of his life. Those experiences, he explained, became an important foundation for his storytelling.
Although his books may feature different settings, Dubey believes the emotional core of his work remains connected to Lucknow. He also values the reassurance and warmth people often find in neighbourhood relationships, where a few encouraging words can make difficult situations feel manageable.
The Success of Musafir Cafe Brings New Readers
The screen adaptation of Musafir Cafe has introduced Dubey’s work to people who may not previously have read his books. He described the response as remarkable, saying the series has encouraged new readers to explore both Musafir Cafe and his other titles, including Almost Pyaar.
According to the author, interest in the original book has grown significantly since the series premiered. The book is also now available in English, making the story accessible to a broader readership.
A Memorable Lesson From a Bookshop
Dubey also recalled a moment from his younger days that changed the way he viewed reading. While browsing books at a railway platform, he asked a bookseller for a discount on a title. The bookseller responded that every line in the book was worth its price, a remark that stayed with him and encouraged him to think more deeply about the value of books.
The author also reminisced about spending hours browsing at Universal Booksellers in Lucknow while preparing for engineering entrance examinations. Returning to the same place later to sign books for readers has become a meaningful milestone in his journey.
A Growing Audience for Hindi Stories
For Dubey, the success of Musafir Cafe is significant beyond his own career. He believes its reception has helped bring more attention to contemporary Hindi writing and encouraged people who were not regular readers to pick up books.
His experience highlights how a story that begins on the page can find a new audience through a screen adaptation, while still drawing its strength from personal memories, familiar places and relatable emotions.
