Real Kashmir Football Club Review: A simple yet inspiring sports drama of unity and hope where football serves as the goal that unifies
Real Kashmir Football Club Web Series Rating: 3 Stars
Watched Real Kashmir Football Club Web Series on Sony LIV. Now, let’s analyze the cast, release date, story, positive/negatives and at last my personal view on this web series.
Cast: Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Manav Kaul, Mu’azzam Bhat, Anmol Dhillon Thakeria, Afnan Fazli, Shaheem Bhat, Abhishant Rana and Khusshal Maggo
Director: Mahesh Mathai and Rajesh Mapuskar
Release Date: 09th December 2025 on Sony LIV
Duration: 8 Episodes/ 35 Minutes
Story: Series is inspired by Sandip Chattoo and Shamim Meraj, who founded Real Kashmir FC club. They became champions of the I-League 2nd Division in 2018. Kaul and Ayyub’s characters are inspired by Chattoo and Meraj, respectively. Sohail Mir (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub) who is a journalist who quits his job after being assigned what he feels is a frivolous story. His wife, Ghazal Mir (Priya Chauhan) is a boutique shop owner and is upset, fearing the strain this decision will place on their household.
Deeply passionate about football, Sohail dreams of building Kashmir’s first professional football club that can compete with the big leagues of the country. His childhood friend Mustafa Durrani (Mu’azzam Bhat) is a former footballer now working part-time as a coach while holding a job in the insurance sector, stands firmly by his side.
Their plans gain momentum when Sohail meets Shirish Kemmu (Manav Kaul), an entrepreneur who has recently returned to Kashmir after many years. Shirish not only connects with the idea but also sees it as a chance to give back to his people and the state.
With limited funds and almost no infrastructure, Sohail holds player tryouts in a junkyard that later becomes the team’s home ground.
The team that he forms is quite unconventional. There’s a butcher, a school kid, a young insurance employee, and some Kashmiri young men looking for new opportunities. Soon, they also manage to rope in a celebrated Kashmiri footballer. Despite setbacks, bureaucratic delays, and social resistance, the club slowly finds its footing. Their biggest test arrives when they must decide whether to play a crucial qualifying match against a security forces team, a choice that weighs heavily on both conscience and ambition. The story follows these steady, human steps as the club fights to become real.
Positives
1. Performances
2. Story
3. Climax
4. Cinematography
5. Direction
Negatives
1. Length
2. Uneven Screenplay
3. Unnecessary subplots
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: When I watched the trailer of this web-series planned to watch on its premiere day as loved the trailer and it’s inspired from true events. A journalist quits his job to chase his dream of building Kashmir’s first professional football club, facing social, political, and personal hurdles along the way. With the support of an entrepreneur, the team rises from local grounds to the national stage.
Real Kashmir Football Club has a story that is bound to touch the heart. It unfolds without unnecessary frills or exaggerated drama and places real people at the center underdogs who rise against all odds to restore hope and pride in Kashmir. The series is powered by performances that feel natural and relatable. It traces the journey of two determined individuals who dared to dream big and turned that vision into Kashmir’s first professional football club, one that went on to compete at the highest level and win a national trophy. What stands out is how the show presents a Kashmir that feels lived-in and real, not the postcard version we are used to seeing. There is an honesty in the storytelling that makes every moment feel earned. The drama works because it stays loyal to the spirit of the true story and never tries to dress it up with artificial twists. What unfolds on screen feels less like staged fiction and more like real life being quietly observed. The series captures small but powerful nuances that manage to leave an impact. It moves at a steady, confident pace and never feels rushed, even as the narrative remains engaging. The inclusion of local actors from the region adds a strong layer of authenticity. The screenplay weaves events seamlessly from the selection of players across different walks of life and the resistance they face from families to social pressures and, finally, the sweet taste of victory.
Beyond the strength of the plot, the series is firmly driven by its performances. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub once again delivers a restrained yet powerful act as a man consumed by a single dream is to place Kashmir firmly on the national football map. Manav Kaul, as Shirish Kemmu, matches Ayub step for step as the co-founder and owner of the club. He brings a quiet charm and warmth to the role, steering clear of the usual stereotypes associated with successful entrepreneurs. Supporting actors Mu’azzam Bhat as Mustafa, Abhishant Rana as Amaan, and Afnan as Dishad contribute with sincerity, fully inhabiting their roles and strengthening the emotional core of the series. There are several moments that silently showcase the sensitive direction of Mahesh Mathai and Rajesh Mapuskar, allowing the story to breathe and speak for itself. The show doesn’t just deal with football but also shows the issues that Kashmiris deal with, like unemployment, political unrest, military presence and directionless youth. Every player has their own backstory that adds depth and makes the stories believable.
The major issue of this series is unnecessary subplots. Many subplots dilute the emotional punch, and some conflicts feel underdeveloped. Editing and pacing is where the show falters. The pace is uneven, especially in the first half. Episodes can feel repetitive, and certain scenes drag on too long. However, the final two episodes are engaging. While the payoffs are there, you will need patience to get there. Conflicts that should take time to resolve wrap up quickly, especially in the cases of Sohail and Shirish. The women in the story, though independent, often fall into the role of supportive figures rather than individuals driving change. The Scottish coach’s track also feels predictable, leaning on familiar outsider tropes.
In an understated yet effective manner, the series also comments on how vested political interests have often hindered Kashmir’s development. What is notable is that it avoids any unnecessary references to Pakistan or extremism, choosing instead to remain focused on sport and human struggle. This restrained approach makes its message even more powerful. The real beauty of the series lies in its simplicity, and that simplicity is precisely what makes it work so well. Overall, series is a spirited, insightful and a crowd-pleasing sports drama powered by excellent performances. It’s an underdog tale that scores high on humanity, reminding us that even in the toughest pitch, resilience always finds a way to victory. My view on this series Recommended If you have patience for a slow-burn story with heart, sincerity, and socio-political texture, this series is worth your time.
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