“We were like, really?”: Manav Kaul on Real Kashmir Football Club Emmy nomination
Actor Manav Kaul shares his disbelief after Real Kashmir Football Club receives an International Emmy nomination for Best Drama Series.
Actor Manav Kaul was caught in a whirlwind of disbelief when he discovered that his acclaimed series, Real Kashmir Football Club, has secured a prestigious International Emmy nomination. The sports drama, which stars Kaul alongside Zeeshan Ayyub, has been nominated in the Best Drama Series category, marking a significant milestone for the production.
A "Prank" That Turned Into Reality
When the news first reached the cast and crew, the initial reaction was not one of celebration, but of intense skepticism. Kaul revealed that the team genuinely believed they were being teased.
“Disbelief, basically. The whole idea was that I, and everyone else, thought it was a prank,” Kaul told ANI. “Someone just told us, ‘Yes, this has happened,’ and we were like, ‘Really?’”
The actor explained that it took significant research and verification before the reality of the achievement truly sank in. “Until we did a lot of research and saw it for ourselves, we didn’t know that it had actually happened to us. Once we found out, we started messaging everyone, sharing the news and congratulating each other,” he added.
The timing of the news added an extra layer of drama for the actor. While traveling from Paris back to India, Kaul had to switch off his phone during his flight. Upon landing, he was met with a flood of congratulatory messages, realizing just how much of an impact the announcement had made.
The Global Stage
The series is set to compete against high-profile international productions, including:
- A Thousand Blows
- Carême (France)
- Menem (Argentina)
About the Series
Real Kashmir Football Club is a gripping sports drama inspired by the true story of Jammu and Kashmir’s very first professional football club. The narrative delves into the journey of the club and the lives of the individuals intertwined with its history.
The series features a strong ensemble cast, including Manav Kaul, Zeeshan Ayyub, and Abhishant Rana in a pivotal role. It was brought to life under the direction of Mahesh Mathai and Rajesh Mapuskar, with a writing team consisting of Simaab Hashmi, Umang Vyas, Dhruv Narang, and Danish Renzu.
Produced by a collaboration of Jaya Entertainment, Oshun Entertainment, Kapital Entertainment, and SK Global Entertainment, the series premiered on SonyLIV on December 9, 2025.