Real Kashmir Football Club Brings Heartwarming Drama to India’s Own ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ Story
Real Kashmir Football Club Debuts as SonyLIV’s Latest Original Series
SonyLIV has launched its newest scripted series, Real Kashmir Football Club, produced by Jaya Entertainment and Oshun Entertainment. The show, which debuted on December 9, 2025, chronicles the formation of Kashmir’s first professional soccer team, highlighting a story of ambition and community resilience.
A representative from SonyLIV emphasized its significance in the realm of original programming, stating, “Real Kashmir Football Club is a fitting addition to that slate.” The cast features Manav Kaul and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, who portray the founders of the team amidst a backdrop influenced by real events.
The series draws inspiration from the tragic Kashmir floods of 2014, which resulted in approximately 550 fatalities in India and Pakistan. In the aftermath, local newspaper editor Shamim Meraj and businessman Sandeep Chattoo established the soccer club as a means of community outreach. This initiative eventually evolved into the region’s first official professional soccer entity, echoing the remarkable rise of Wrexham AFC in the British leagues.
Kilian Kerwin, President of Jaya Entertainment, noted that the concept had been in development for nearly a decade. Initial pitches to networks faced delays due to a challenging economic climate, leading to producers seeking independent financing. Despite these challenges, SonyLIV emerged as the most engaged buyer, facilitated by Head of Content Saugata Mukherjee’s connection with director Mahesh Mathai. Kerwin recalled that SonyLIV’s then-chief Danish Khan was quick to commit to the project.
Director Mahesh Mathai reflected on the importance of portraying a nuanced narrative about Kashmir, a region often depicted through the lens of conflict. He asserted that prevalent images do not represent the essence of the area. “There was nothing coming out that was real,” he said, highlighting the series’ potential to counteract prevalent stereotypes and offer an inspiring underdog story.
Kerwin added, “I can’t tell you the number of Kashmiri stories that are one-sided. Here was a story about two guys from different backgrounds—one Hindu, one Muslim—navigating a divided region.”
The series has drawn comparisons to the popular docu-series Welcome to Wrexham, which follows the rise of a Welsh soccer club purchased by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Both Kerwin and Mathai acknowledged thematic similarities but emphasized their focus on the people behind the story rather than just the club’s ascent through the leagues.
Indian soccer, though struggling financially in a cricket-centric nation, stands at a pivotal point, with Real Kashmir FC on the brink of ascending to India’s top league, the Indian Super League. Mathai expressed optimism that the team’s success could pave the way for broader financial opportunities across the sport.
The story of Real Kashmir Football Club, according to Mathai, is still unfolding, and future developments hold promise. “This is an origin story. Climbing the way up the ladder would not be enough,” he stated.
While SonyLIV has not disclosed viewership figures, a representative noted that the show’s positive reception has been evident. The narrative was conceived as a self-contained arc, leaving upcoming seasons uncertain amid recent management changes at SonyLIV.
In commenting on the broader industry landscape, Kerwin remarked on the rarity of commissions in India and the importance of their completed project. He also underscored the caliber of Indian talent during production, asserting that local technicians and actors are on par with their international counterparts. Both producers highlighted a shift in attitudes toward script development post-pandemic, marking a positive evolution in the industry.
As Real Kashmir Football Club unfolds, it represents not only a compelling narrative but also the potential for significant change in the sports culture of India.
