Kangana Ranaut, the Indian actress and filmmaker, launched her new café, The Mountain Story, nestled in the town of Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The café is a realization of Ranaut's longstanding dream and a heartfelt tribute to her roots in the Himalayas. "A childhood dream comes alive—my little café in the lap of the Himalayas. The Mountain Story—it's a love story. #TheMountainStory Opening 14th February," wrote Ranaut in an Instagram post, according to Jansatta.
Inspired by her childhood memories and the aroma of home-cooked meals made by her mother, The Mountain Story represents a return to traditional Himachali cuisine. The café offers dishes including traditional Himachali thali and other local delicacies served with a contemporary twist, designed for slow afternoons rather than hurried city life, reported NewsBytes. The aim is to provide food that "stays with you like an old song from the 1960s" and offers experimental dishes and international delights in addition to ethnic meals, according to ETV Bharat.
The café's design reflects the rustic charm of the mountains, featuring wooden and cane outdoor seating that provides views of the snow-capped peaks. The interiors include rustic woodwork, seating areas, and a fireplace, creating an atmosphere that blends rustic charm with contemporary elegance. Staff members wear traditional Himachali caps and attire, greeting guests as a mark of local heritage.
In a promotional video shared on her social media, Ranaut is seen arriving at The Mountain Story café, surrounded by snow-covered peaks. She provides a voice-over in the video, saying, "This is the story of the drop of dew that stayed on the cedar leaves as snow. This is the story of the aroma of food coming from my mother's kitchen in childhood, which dissolved in my mind. This is the story of my and your relationship, which became love from liking and now has become family. This is the story of you and me."
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Ranaut described the opening of The Mountain Story as "undoubtedly among the most special projects of my life" and called it "an extension of myself, something that is not only close to my heart but also my roots," expressing pride in offering an experience through the café. "The mountains are calling, and I must answer," she added, reported The Indian Express.
Ranaut's venture into the restaurant business places her among Bollywood celebrities who have entered the food and hospitality industry, including Malaika Arora, Karan Johar, and Shilpa Shetty.
Apart from her new café, Ranaut is currently in the news for her film *Emergency*, which she directed and stars in as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
"I'd like to open a restaurant where I'd like to have the world menu. I've eaten all over the world, and I'm carrying amazing recipes. I'd like to have a very, very beautiful, little cafeteria somewhere. I'm very good with food," said Ranaut, according to Hindustan Times.
With The Mountain Story, Ranaut brings together her passions for food, culture, and the mountains, offering visitors an intimate and peaceful alternative to the hustle of city life. "I welcome you to The Mountain Story," she stated, as reported by The Indian Express.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq