For those who have watched Netflix's ‘Dabba Cartel’, the gripping crime drama on five women whose seemingly innocuous tiffin service conceals a thriving drug cartel, should have noticed the layered storytelling and nuanced character development. Unmistakably bearing the creative stamp of Excel Entertainment, the series deserves a particular recognition for its co-writer, Bhavna Kher, whose deft storytelling creates a compelling, almost pinball-like narrative, populated by richly drawn, complex characters. And who can forget Shabana Azmi, whose composed, almost understated demeanour conceals the formidable instincts of a woman who is beneath it all, a true queenpin? But beyond the demands of writing for the screen, Bhavna is exploring a more intimate relationship with words, something she calls her ‘ Writing Retreat’.
In an exclusive conversation with Travel Handmade, she shares a compelling shift in her creative philosophy, familiarising us with how writing can be a sustainable wellness tool. She begins to navigate a learning module in which she teaches writing both as a creative craft and a tool for healing and self-discovery. Imagine an exercise in which participants are presented with a collection of intriguing metaphors, choosing the one that resonates most deeply with the present moment in life. Bhavna guides them through a process of exploration, helping them unpack the metaphor, delve into the memories, emotions and experiences it evokes, and gradually transform the personal material into fiction.
She explains, “There are various kinds of healing rituals out there: ice dunk, the good old spa, group meditation, massages…but here is the gap: if you are struggling in the middle of a day or night personally or professionally, you are not going to book a spa. At that time you need something immediate, something sustainable, personal and accessible. Writing can be that healing practice.” Through the interplay of fiction and personal truths, the revisiting of memories and the possibility of finding closure through words, Bhavna explores writing as a powerful tool for reflection, self-discovery and healing.
Following two successful writing retreats at Woods at Sasan in Gir, she is now taking the third chapter of her ‘Writing Retreat’ to Bhutan, where the grandeur of the Himalayas promises a setting for pause and creative renewal. Perhaps immersing oneself in a new landscape and allowing the mind to wander is not enough; it is learning the hack to unlock stories that perhaps have been waiting within us all along.
Travel Handmade meets Bhavna Kher to explore the philosophy behind her ‘Writing Retreat’ .
Travel Handmade: What does a writing retreat mean to you? How did the idea take shape, and what inspired you to bring this concept to life?
Bhavna Kher: I have always taken my creative decisions intuitively. Once a desire comes from a deeper inner knowing, I immerse myself in the process of bringing it to life. I then draw from my experiences, tools, systems, creative strategies and writing processes — something I've acquired over a two-decade-long career spanning advertising, short-form and, more recently, long-form writing.
In that sense, the Writing Retreat was no different. It was 2023, and I had just wrapped up my writing for the web series Dabba Cartel (Netflix x Excel Entertainment). I was yearning to expand my creative practice. There were many options on the table, but there was a call from within. I wanted to put together my learnings and start conducting day-long writing workshops.
But perhaps this mission was meant to be much bigger. The right people came to be associated with my purpose, and what was meant to be a small workshop eventually became a five-day Writing Retreat at Woods at Sasan, Gir, where I conducted my sessions in a mango orchard, surrounded by the abundant Gir forest.
The first year was purely about writing tools and creative rituals. However, certain nuanced observations at the retreat made me reflect, and from there, the idea evolved.
In subsequent editions, I began exploring 'writing as a healing ritual'.
Travel Handmade: What was the overarching theme of the inaugural writing retreat you curated at Woods at Sasan?
Bhavna Kher: The inaugural edition was centred on exploring writing tools and creative rituals. I wanted participants to discover their individual creative processes and develop rituals that could help them sustain a writing practice beyond the retreat.
Travel Handmade: What activities were designed specifically for the writers? Did the resort simply serve as the venue, or did it play a more integral role in curating experiences that complemented the writing workshops?
Bhavna Kher: Yes, Woods at Sasan played an important role in curating activities that enhanced the overall experience. After the writing sessions each day, participants enjoyed meditation, yoga, forest walks, sound healing and much more. These experiences complemented the writing workshops, allowing the participants to engage with the natural surroundings while taking time to slow down.
Travel Handmade: How was the second writing retreat conceptualised at Woods at Sasan? In what ways did it differ from the inaugural edition, both in its theme and the experiences designed for participants?
Bhavna Kher: In its second year, the Writing Retreat evolved. This was when I began exploring writing as a healing ritual.
I created a module that allowed people to write a short work of fiction based on personal material, using metaphors. This helped participants process their internal landscapes with a little distance, thanks to fiction. In addition, they had a tangible short story to take home by the end of the retreat. They also got to understand the cognitive, emotional and other benefits of expressive writing.
We had a fantastic turnout, and people left feeling deeply transformed.
While this is a Writing Retreat, you don't have to be a professional writer to attend. The powerful, sustainable tool of writing to process your feelings should be accessible to people, regardless of profession. We've had participants from all walks of life: lawyers, psychologists, corporate professionals, an IAS officer and a designer, to mention a few.
Travel Handmade: This December, you are taking the writing retreat to Bhutan, to Terma Linca Resort & Spa, nestled between the mountains and a river. What can writers look forward to in this edition? Are there any larger cultural or experiential discoveries you have planned beyond the writing workshops?
Bhavna Kher: Yes, absolutely. Bhutan continues to be part of my mission of demystifying writing and making it accessible to more people as a healing practice.
The location was thoughtfully suggested by my travel and logistics partner, Offbeat Tracks. Bhutan, with its monasteries, culture and association with happiness and well-being, offers a beautiful setting for a retreat. We have curated the Writing Retreat so that participants can also engage with Bhutanese culture in ways that enhance their retreat experience.
We have archery for focus, butter lamp lighting for grounding, a visit to Dochula Pass, a gentle hike and more. The geography and environment play a huge role in a retreat of this nature, and I truly feel Bhutan will help unlock a lot for the participants.
A lot lies in the planning, and then, of course, there is the magic of what can happen in the moment.
Travel Handmade : Travel Handmade believes that writing can be a healing ritual. How do you see writing as a way of slowing down, reconnecting with oneself and finding emotional clarity?
Bhavna Kher: Having been a professional writer for decades and a writer by nature all my life, I can safely say that I have personally used writing as a healing practice, consciously or unconsciously, for as long as I can remember. Sometimes, it has helped me navigate the challenges of my professional writing life itself; at other times, it has been a way of processing things in my personal life. It was only when I began conducting my retreats that I delved deeper into understanding the scientific and emotional benefits of writing, from an academic and informational standpoint.
I also want to underline that the module at the retreat explores writing as a healing practice through various interesting tools, such as using metaphors to write short fiction. I don't expect you to come all the way to Bhutan and simply journal. That is not at all what this is about. It is a structured exploration of the self through the craft of writing, where you get to work with personal material, transform it through fiction and walk away with something tangible that you have created.
Travel Handmade: For someone who has never written before, what would you say to encourage them to experience a writing retreat? What are the three things they might take away from it? And for someone who has been writing for years, what can this retreat offer them that perhaps they haven't experienced before? Is there something special you have created with a fellow writer in mind, almost like a gift from one writer to another?
Bhavna Kher: I absolutely and wholeheartedly encourage people who don't come from a writing background but have an obvious or even subtle inclination towards self-reflection to experience this retreat. If you don't come from a writing background, you will still know many things.
(a) Learn a powerful healing tool that doesn't require a third party, a particular time or a particular place. You can practise it by yourself, whenever you like. Its benefits are not restricted to the retreat; you can take this tool back with you and continue using it.
(b) Meet a community of people from all walks of life, with the possibility of forming meaningful bonds.
(c) Potentially leave with a changed or altered internal narrative from the one you arrived with.
If you come from a writing background, you too have a lot to gain:
(a) Your writing background naturally gives you the ability to frame your thoughts more clearly. This can allow for deeper healing when you use writing as a healing practice, rather than only as a professional tool.
(b) This module teaches you how to write a short story. And should you wish, you can use the tools I teach to write multiple short stories drawing on personal material, with the possibility of publishing them someday.
(c) For someone who has been writing professionally for years, this is also an opportunity to step outside familiar writing habits and explore a different relationship with the craft. We often write to meet a brief, tell a story or serve a particular purpose. Here, you get to experiment, work with personal material in unexpected ways and rediscover the joy of writing without the usual demands of professional output.
There will also be feedback sessions and interactive sessions with me, where professional writers can engage more deeply with the craft, exchange perspectives and benefit from the collective experience of the group.
Sign Up For The WRITING RETREAT With Bhavna Kher
1-6 Dec, 2026, Terma Linca Resort and Spa, Bhutan
How To Book The Writing Retreat In Bhutan?
To book your spot at the Writing Retreat and explore writing as a healing ritual, you can DM Bhavna Kher with your contact details (email ID), and the retreat information will be shared with you.
If you don't have an Instagram account, you can express your interest by sending an email to bhavna.kher@gmail.com.