Real Kashmir Football Club bags International Emmy nod; Zeeshan Ayyub dedicates it to Kashmir
Synopsis
'Real Kashmir Football Club', a true-story-inspired drama about building a professional football team in Kashmir, has earned an International Emmy nomination in the Drama Series category. Star Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub dedicated the recognition to the people of Kashmir, calling it a tribute to their resilience — a rare moment of global acclaim for an Indian regional narrative.
Key Takeaways
Real Kashmir Football Club has been nominated for an International Emmy Award in the Drama Series category.
Actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub dedicated the nomination to 'the people of Kashmir, their resilience and the struggles they have endured.' The series stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Manav Kaul and is inspired by a true story of building a professional football team in Kashmir .
The show is directed by Mahesh Mathai and Rajesh Mapuskar , and produced by Jaya Entertainment and Oshun Entertainment .
The series is currently streaming on Sony LIV .
Actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub has dedicated the International Emmy Award nomination for the drama series 'Real Kashmir Football Club' to 'the people of Kashmir', calling it recognition of their resilience and struggles. The show, streaming on Sony LIV, has earned a nomination in the Drama Series category at the prestigious awards.
What Zeeshan Ayyub Said
Ayyub, who plays the character Sohail Meer in the series, said in a statement: 'It is always special to see our labour of love reach people and receive recognition. This was an important and relevant story for us to tell, a story of resilience, courage and hard work.'
He added: 'We dedicate this recognition to the people of Kashmir, their resilience and the struggles they have endured. I hope this nomination helps the story travel further and reach a wider audience.'
What the Show Is About
Starring Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Manav Kaul, 'Real Kashmir Football Club' is inspired by a true story. It follows two dreamers and twenty underdog players as they chase the possibility of creating a professional football team in Kashmir. What begins as a distant ambition — tested by setbacks, small triumphs, and personal sacrifice — slowly becomes a source of hope for the community around them.
The series is directed by showrunner Mahesh Mathai and Rajesh Mapuskar, and written by Simaab Hashmi, Dhruv Narang, Mahesh Mathai, Danish Renzu, and Umang Vyas. It is produced by Jaya Entertainment and Oshun Entertainment.
The Showrunner's Reaction
Showrunner and co-director Mahesh Mathai reflected on the journey of bringing the story to screen: 'When you come across a great story, don't let it pass you by. Grab a hold of, nurture it, love it, and push it through that long tunnel. It will find the light.'
Mathai also said: 'We are honoured that this special series has found global recognition through an Emmy nomination.'
Ensemble Cast and Creative Team
Beyond its two leads, the series features a strong ensemble including Abhishant Rana, Muazzam Bhat, Priya Chauhan, Anmol Thakeriadhillon, Afnan Fazli, and Shaheem Bhat. The nomination marks a significant milestone for Indian streaming content on the global stage, with the show now in contention alongside international productions in the Drama Series category.
The International Emmy nomination positions 'Real Kashmir Football Club' among globally recognised productions and is expected to expand its viewership well beyond Indian shores.
Point of View
Aspiration, and resilience offers a different, arguably more durable frame. The question now is whether this nomination translates into broader viewership and greenlit investment in similar stories from the margins of Indian geography. Global recognition is meaningful, but it is sustained commissioning — not award nominations — that determines whether underrepresented voices become a structural part of Indian streaming.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Real Kashmir Football Club?
'Real Kashmir Football Club' is an Indian drama series streaming on Sony LIV, inspired by a true story of two men who set out to build a professional football team in Kashmir. The show stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Manav Kaul, and is produced by Jaya Entertainment and Oshun Entertainment.
Which award has Real Kashmir Football Club been nominated for?
The series has been nominated for an International Emmy Award in the Drama Series category. The nomination places it among internationally recognised productions competing on a global stage.
What did Zeeshan Ayyub say about the Emmy nomination?
Zeeshan Ayyub said the nomination is dedicated to 'the people of Kashmir, their resilience and the struggles they have endured.' He expressed hope that the nomination would help the story reach a wider global audience.
Who directed and wrote Real Kashmir Football Club?
The series was directed by showrunner Mahesh Mathai and Rajesh Mapuskar. It was written by Simaab Hashmi, Dhruv Narang, Mahesh Mathai, Danish Renzu, and Umang Vyas.
Where can viewers watch Real Kashmir Football Club?
Real Kashmir Football Club is currently streaming on Sony LIV. The International Emmy nomination is expected to draw renewed attention and expand its audience beyond India.
