Exploring the Enchanting Setting of Netflix's Musafir Cafe

The Allure of Musafir Cafe's Location

Upon its debut, Netflix's romantic drama Musafir Cafe, featuring Vikrant Massey, captivated audiences not only with its storyline but also with its picturesque and lush filming location.

A month post-release, social media has been buzzing with insights about the filming site, as locals have begun to share their personal anecdotes and experiences related to the cafe.

Among these voices are alumni from the prestigious Oak Grove School in Mussoorie, which is situated adjacent to the cafe's filming location.

Major General S C Meston, a distinguished alumnus and veteran of the Indian Army, shared with a local media outlet, "The Oak Grove was right next to this historic British-era castle where Musafir Cafe was filmed."

Indeed, Oak Grove School serves as a significant landmark in the region, with its history intertwined with that of the castle.

Founded in 1870 by the Sindh, Punjab and Delhi Railway, Oak Grove School is recognized as the first railway hill school in India. It initially operated from a bungalow named Fairlawn, which was part of the estate of the Rajah of Nepal, located near the current school site.

In 1894, Fairlawn School merged with Oak Grove due to an increase in student enrollment and a shortage of staff.

Since June 1, 1888, the Indian Railways has owned and managed the school, which is nestled in the lush hills of Mussoorie, on the Oak Grove estate named for the towering oak trees in the vicinity, positioned along the bridle path from Rajpur to Mussoorie.

The school's expansive estate spans 317.043 acres, according to its records.

Meston elaborated, "Oak Grove was established during the British era for the children of railway workers. British railway officials who couldn't send their children to England for education would enroll them here. Today, the school continues to cater to the children of Indian Railway officers, with a competitive all-India entrance exam for admissions."

He fondly reminisced about the castle, which now serves as the main filming site for Musafir Cafe.

Meston noted, "The cafe in the series is actually a castle that the British used as a guest house for their soldiers and officials. After Independence, it became known as Patiala House, as the Maharaja of Patiala used it as his summer retreat. Eventually, it fell into disrepair, and during my time at Oak Grove, locals claimed it was haunted."

He expressed his delight at seeing the castle transformed into a prominent filming location for a successful OTT series, recalling how he often ran marathons past what is now recognized as Musafir Cafe during his school days.