For Manav Kaul, the International Emmy nomination for Real Kashmir Football Club is more than recognition. It validates what he saw in the story from the moment he read the script — a tale of two communities coming together through football.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Kaul said he was surprised that a story with such potential had not been told earlier. He described the series as a story about peace, two religions coming together and creating something meaningful despite difficult circumstances.
“When I read the script, I thought it had huge potential, and I was wondering why no one has made it yet. Because it’s such a fantastic story about peace, about two religions coming together and making something so good. And that’s what India is all about,” he said.
Real Kashmir Football Club, which also stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, draws inspiration from the real-life story of businessman Sandeep Chattoo and journalist Shamim Meraj, the founders of Real Kashmir Football Club.
Set against the backdrop of Kashmir, the series combines the region’s passion for football with the personal and social struggles of its people. The show earned an International Emmy nomination in the Drama Series category.
The nomination has given the team another reason to celebrate, although Kaul said they are still trying to believe it is real. Asked about preparations for the Emmys, he joked that the team remains in disbelief.
“We are still in disbelief; we just can’t believe it. Our director was saying, ‘Is this fake? Has someone made this up?’ Then I explained to them, ‘Yaar, it’s on their official website.’ We just couldn’t believe that something like this had happened to us. We are such simple people that when something big like this happens to us, it takes us some time to actually believe it,” Kaul said.
Kaul was delighted by the positive response after the series premiered but felt it did not reach as many viewers as he had hoped. He now believes the Emmy nomination could help the show find a wider audience.
“When it got released, and people saw it, and they loved it, I was delighted, but it didn’t spread the way I thought it should. But then I think because of this nomination now a lot of people will watch it and I am very happy,” he told NDTV.
The actor also recalled his experience of shooting in Kashmir. He said the collaborative atmosphere on set made the process particularly memorable. He singled out director Mahesh Mathai for encouraging everyone to contribute ideas, regardless of their role.
“Mahesh Mathai is one of the most collaborative directors I have ever met. Everyone was pitching in while shooting their ideas. They used to hold the shoot and discuss, ‘We should do it this way, we should do it that way,’ and he used to listen to every person, not just me, every person,” Kaul said.
Working with local Kashmiri actors was another highlight for him.
“It was such a kick to see them working, see them performing, see them performing their own story. It was wonderful. So I thought that whole combination was so stunning. I thought it was something unique that we were doing,” he said.
Having shot extensively in the Valley, Kaul also praised Kashmir as a filming destination. He described it as not only beautiful but welcoming, highlighting its infrastructure, people and food.
“Kashmir is one of the phenomenal places to shoot. Their infrastructure is very good. People are very good; they welcome you so beautifully, and the food is phenomenal,” he said.
Real Kashmir Football Club is currently streaming on SonyLIV.
