Real Kashmir Football Club Scores International Emmy Nomination

On September 23, nominations for the 54th International Emmy Awards were announced, featuring a nomination for the SonyLIV series Real Kashmir Football Club in the Best Drama Series category. Simaab Hashmi, the lead writer and executive producer of the show, shared insights into the making of the series, its portrayal of Kashmir, and the unexpected Emmy recognition.

Hashmi explained how he discovered the story through a newspaper article about a football club started together by a Kashmiri Pandit and a Kashmiri Muslim. After partnering with producer Vishakha Singh, Hashmi traveled to Srinagar to secure the rights from the club owners, meeting the late Sandeep Chattoo and the individual whose character was played by Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub.

The production eventually brought on seasoned producer Kilian Kerwin and director Mahesh Mathai. The series stars Manav Kaul and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, who were the original and only choices for their respective roles. Filming for the project was completed in 55 days. Regarding a potential second season, Hashmi noted that many untold stories remain about the club, and the Emmy honour may pave the way for a continuation.