Srinagar: After carving out a distinct identity in Indian football, Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) has now become the subject of an eight-episode web series streaming on SonyLIV, offering a deeply human story set against the turbulent backdrop of the Kashmir Valley in 2016.
Released in December 2025 and directed by Mahesh Mathai and Rajesh Mapuskar, the series goes beyond sport, portraying football as hope, resistance, and unity in a region long defined by conflict.
Rather than relying on spectacle or dramatic exaggeration, the series adopts a restrained, heartfelt narrative style.
The focus remains firmly on people—players, coaches, and the wider Kashmiri society—whose lives intersect on the football field amid uncertainty and fear.
The series has received widespread appreciation from prominent personalities, including Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, Shark Tank judges Aman Gupta and Vineeta Singh, entrepreneur Ritesh Agarwal, and film actor Anmol Thakeria Dhillon. Many of them praised Real Kashmir Football Club for uplifting football in Kashmir and showcasing how sport can thrive even in a conflict-affected region.
RKFC holds a unique position in Indian football as the only club from Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the I-League, one of the country’s top football competitions.
Real Kashmir Football Club is currently owned by Arshad Shawl, who took over the club in 2021. Since then, RKFC has scaled new heights, emerging as a major platform for nurturing young footballing talent.
Shawl said, “Real Kashmir FC stands for more than football—it stands for hope rising out of adversity. Rooted in belief, the club channels the aspirations of Kashmiri youth into purpose, offering a structured pathway from grassroots to the professional stage. nurturing discipline, life skills, and ambition, RKFC fosters resilience and belonging, turning passion into possibility and challenge into opportunity.”
The SonyLIV series captures this historic journey, highlighting the challenges of travel restrictions, security concerns, and emotional strain faced by players and staff, while also celebrating their resilience and determination.
Since its release, it has received an overwhelming response from audiences across the country, many of whom see it as an honest and empathetic portrayal of life in the Valley beyond headlines and stereotypes.
Above all, Real Kashmir Football Club powerfully underscores why football holds deep meaning in Kashmir. In a region where identity is frequently contested and everyday life is shaped by mistrust and uncertainty, football emerges as a rare and shared language.
