[soft music playing]
[soft music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
-[man] Alcohol! -[crowd] Is haram!
-Alcohol! -Is haram!
-[cop] Stay back! -[sloganeering continues]
[Naved] Where were you?
[in Kashmiri] Go meet Rahat, he's very angry.
Greetings, brother.
If you can't be here on time, don't come at all!
Come on!
-[man] Alcohol! -[crowd] Is haram!
-Shirish sir… -[crowd protesting]
Let's take the back exit, I'll drop you. Please come.
[sloganeering continues]
[Shirish] Open the door.
Staying inside would be better…
We should keep the shop closed today, you--
-[Shirish] Open the door. -[Sameer] Sir…
-Alcohol! -Is haram!
Please listen to me!
-Just listen to me! -[sloganeering continues]
-[cop] Stay back! -[sloganeering continues]
KASHMIRI HINDU GET OUT!
[cop] Stay back!
What are you doing? What are you doing?
-What are you saying? -[cop] Move back!
[sloganeering stops]
Do you people really think you are saving Kashmir by doing this?
You are mistaken.
Kashmir has much bigger problems that we must solve through dialogue.
Not like this, by screaming our lungs hoarse!
-The enemies of Kashmir! -[crowd] Must leave Kashmir!
-The enemies of Kashmir! -Must leave Kashmir!
-Alcohol! -[crowd] Is haram!
-Alcohol! -Is haram!
[whispering]
-Are you really going to throw that? -Of course.
-Hey! -It'll catch them unawares.
Have you lost your mind?
-Amaan, stop messing about. -Wait…
[Shirish] I'm not your enemy!
Your real enemy is the person poisoning your minds against me!
He is your true enemy!
He’s trying to divide us!
-Alcohol! -Is haram!
[crowd chanting fades]
-[man] Grenade! Run! -[crowd shouting]
[silence]
Hey, this is fake!
OMG, this is crazy!
Bro, I was scared shitless…
[unintelligible chatter and giggling]
[theme music starts]
[theme music ends]
[news on TV] Hailing from the sleepy town of Baramulla,
Azlan Shah, who has made a name for himself in Indian football,
has returned to his home in Kashmir.
He's back!
Zohan? Listen.
The Shah of Srinagar is back.
[news on TV] The Kashmiri superstar…
…was recently released from the Kolkata football team.
Having signed his first professional contract when he was just 17 years old…
What a player!
Shah has already played for big clubs like Shillong, Goa, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
Papa!
Shah didn't become Shah by playing games on the mobile.
Go out and play football with your friends.
You just sit there and play games on your mobile.
Aren't you getting late for work?
There used to be a time when you were the first to reach the office.
-Remember? -Sure, I remember.
But then I could also see the effects of my writing on society.
[Ghazal] You've become negative.
What can I do?
-No one cares about the real issues. -But you do.
Your work is vital to society, Sohail.
Such good lies we tell ourselves, dear Ghazal…
[phone rings]
The scales are about to tip, because…
Yes, Roohi.
[Ghazal] I'm just leaving.
[Ghazal] Show the client some samples till then. Okay.
…the Indian Football League aka IFL.
Come on, Zohan. It's getting late.
-[news] The Football Federation Board -See you in the evening.
…has partnered with the country's biggest companies
-[Ghazal] Your lunch box is inside. -to create this brand new league.
This league will be played across the country
towards one singular objective:
Taking football to new heights, to new fans, and to every home.
[indistinct chatter]
[woman on radio] Good morning, my friends!
This is your buddy RJ Shamaa from Jhelum FM.
I am in a bad state today.
We don’t have potholes on our roads. Our roads are on potholes.
It's been two years since the floods,
but who knows when the situation will change.
The government is trying to give some relief to business owners,
but yesterday’s official report confirms
that unemployment is at its highest.
We live in hope that, God willing,
the situation will change for the better.
Speaking of sport,
the country's top football states: Bengal, Goa, and Kerala
are ready to have their teams participate in the IFL.
And now, new challengers such as Mumbai are all set to enter the fray.
New heroes, new rivalries, and a brand new era, my friends.
[children playing]
[hopeful music playing]
-[soft phone taps] -[indistinct chatter]
[line ringing]
[phone rings]
-Update me by the evening. -[man] It’ll be done.
-Hello. -[Sohail on call] Greetings!
[Mustafa] And to you.
What’s up, Mr. Breaking News? How’s it going?
[Sohail] It is not going at all, my friend.
What are you on about?
[Sohail] Never mind that.
I had an idea. Have you heard of the IFL?
[Mustafa] Yeah, of course…
What about it?
They want us to watch and not play.
[Sohail] There are no teams from Kashmir.
Listen, can we talk later?
If they truly want it to be an Indian football league,
there has to be at least one team from Kashmir.
[Sohail] But for that Kashmir needs a professional football club.
Listen,
we’ll discuss this in the evening.
Okay, later.
[hopeful music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
[printer whirs and papers rustle]
[typing and phones ringing in background]
-[sliding door creaks open] -[man clears throat]
"A Muslim family became caretakers of a Hindu temple…"
What kind of story is this? Do you want us to sell papers or not?
In today’s times, what could be more important than this story?
There is no spice! Where is the liquor story?
Kemmu Wines, protest, Nazir… Come on.
I don’t get why we are giving so much importance to Nazir.
Do you have a problem writing this story?
That’s fine. No problem. I… [clears throat]
Nighat!
Yes, sir?
[Ibrahim] Kemmu Wines. 500 words. Can you do it?
Really?!
I mean, yes sir. It’ll be done. Thank you.
[Ibrahim] Good. Get to it. And cover both sides.
Yes, sir.
Sir…
I can’t do all this anymore.
No need to be so dramatic.
Sir, I have some more 'spicy' news, have you heard about it?
[man] No. What is it?
"Sohail Mir quits."
Sohail.
I wouldn’t make this mistake if I were you.
You know there are no jobs out there.
When a door closes, a window opens.
I'll figure it out.
[hesitates]
[Ibrahim] Nine years of hard work will go down the drain, Sohail!
[indistinct chatter]
[Sameer] Sir.
Look. This is the boy who threw the grenade.
This one.
[Shirish] Some tea?
A grenade, Shirish?
I…
-This… -That's what it says… But it was fake.
It could have been real. Why didn't you tell me?
Because it would have scared you. That's why.
Seriously, Shirish?
This kind of thing is normal here… So what?
Not to us!
[clicks tongue and sighs]
So what?
Should we just drop everything and leave?
You know the wine shop provides employment to so many.
People here desperately need employment.
And your Khushi Trust?
Do you know how much you're helping people?
Yes, but it isn't that easy.
I know it isn't easy, Kaveri.
But I've already left Kashmir once.
[soft music plays]
I won't do it a second time.
[soft music fades]
[Sohail] What a terrible lineup.
Half of their players are barely functioning.
How will they play?
What? Seems like a decently strong team to me.
Hardly. Wait and watch, they'll all be keeling over soon.
-[Ghazal] Greetings. -[all] To you as well.
Are you well?
By God's grace.
Although…
I would be much better if you could get Sohail a job at IIC.
[Mustafa] A job?
Finding water in the desert is an easier ask.
[everyone chuckles]
-See? You shouldn't have quit. -[commentary on TV continues]
I don't understand what came over him.
A job at IIC?
I’d rather stay jobless than see that face every morning.
-[Ghazal] Sohail -No way I’m doing that.
Don't worry. I'm thinking of starting something. It'll be fine.
Soon, please…
All right, you all enjoy the match.
[Friend] Yes…
By the way, a star was spotted at Boulevard Road yesterday.
Who? Hina Khan?
Azlan Shah.
I hear he has no prospective offers from any club.
[Friend 2] The Shah of Srinagar has no offers? How is that possible?
[Friend 3] He doesn’t.
Never mind that. Look at what I found.
The Gold Spot Cup. Remember?
Mustafa.
[Sohail] Your Dad was an amazing coach.
Those were amazing times.
Football in Kashmir was electric.
Thousands of people came to watch matches.
Even the branches of trees would be heaving with people.
[man 2] But we watch matches every week.
For how long will we keep watching other states play?
I mean, it's the IFL… and there's no team representing Kashmir.
[Friend 2] Well, what would you rather have?
[commentary on TV continues]
I want to set up a professional football club, here in Srinagar.
You can forget about that happening here.
That's the IFL. Not us mucking about at Mughal Garden.
[everyone chuckles]
[Friend 3] Brothers, please.
-Can we watch the match? -[Friend 2] Sounds good.
Are we just going to sit around or do we have any plans for the day?
[Amaan] Let's see.
Talking of plans… Dad wants me to join English classes.
And what will you accomplish by doing that?
You idiot…
-It'll help me get a job! -A job?
Nothing’s going to change, buddy.
Instead of calling yourself unemployed in Urdu, you'll do it in English.
[Amaan] Very funny.
[Sameer] You!
Aren't you the one who lobbed that grenade the other day?
Who are you?
[soft phone taps]
[Sameer] That's you, right?
-Come with me. -I'm not going anywhere.
Stop hassling me and leave.
[Sameer] Listen…
You better show some respect.
[intense music plays]
You're seriously coming into my neighbourhood
and teaching me about respect?
Will you come with me, or should I call the police?
[intense music fades]
-[Amaan] Hey, what are you doing? -Move.
[Sameer] Sir, he's the one.
[Shirish] How old are you?
-Answer him. -Better keep your hands in your pockets!
What do you want?
Why do you want to kill me?
If I wanted to kill you, it would have exploded.
I knew it was fake.
Will you do it again?
-Will you stop selling alcohol? -Hey!
[Shirish] Amaan…
Do you know selling alcohol is legal?
And what you're doing is not legal.
Sir, let's just call the police…
You think the police have solutions to all your problems?
You should know better.
[somber music playing]
Out.
Are you deaf? Don't come in my line of vision again.
Sir, we could've called the police…
The boy was right.
The police won’t solve anything.
[Sohail] This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Football's going through a golden period right now.
The IFL will do for football what the IPL did for cricket.
Top marketing, investment, fans…
Everything is possible--
IPL is big because it's cricket.
Who cares about football?
[Sohail] Listen to me, Mr. Siddiqui…
Once we build good facilities and a nice ecosystem--
Your plan will take years to turn a profit.
I'm looking for something short-term. Good luck.
Thank you, sir.
[Sohail] I want to start small. We won't need a lot of capital to begin.
Your plan sounds more like a charity than a business.
I don't see much scope in it.
I'm sorry.
Okay.
Thank you.
[Moderator] Weren't you scared, Mr. Kemmu?
Look, it is the troublemakers' objective to scare the common Kashmiri.
And the speciality of fear is that
it prevents you from realising your own strengths.
[Moderator] So you are saying that Kashmir doesn't know its own strength?
I don't know about that, but…
It has certainly been led astray.
For example,
I heard a lot of pitches from people here.
Everyone's selling a scheme.
While I'm trying to find solutions.
[Moderator] A round of applause for Mr. Shirish.
-[everyone applauds] -Thank you.
[Sohail] Sir, you spoke a half-truth on stage.
Even if someone believes in Kashmir's strength,
there's nobody to support them.
Have you identified this strength?
No, sir…
But I know how to begin creating a new identity for Kashmir.
-Sohail. -[Shirish] Shirish.
Sir, we need a professional football club.
Football?
And what will that accomplish?
It will give Kashmir's youth, its people, a new hope and a new goal to work towards.
And that is enough to bring about change.
Sir, Mohun Bagan?
It was started by a student union out of Kolkata's Shyambazar area.
Today football is in Kolkata's DNA.
Football is in our blood, too.
Did you know, during the 70s and the 80s,
Kashmir contributed 19 players to the national team.
Nineteen.
My grandfather was selected in the 1950 World Cup squad.
-Really? -[Sohail] Yes.
So what was the result then?
-He couldn't go, sir. -[Shirish] Why?
Politics. What else?
[resigned sigh]
Nothing's changed since then.
Today's leaders are teaching the youth to pick up stones instead of pens.
How can one compete with this mentality?
We don't have to compete, sir. We just have to give them the option.
Otherwise, we're all part of the problem.
If we can bring back the passion for football,
it won't just give people something to do, it will also command respect.
The respect for which Kashmiris have been pining after for ages.
[hopeful music plays]
Let’s bring football back to Kashmir.
Sir… This isn't a scheme. It's a real solution.
If it's a real solution,
why hasn't anyone ever acted on it?
They don't have a vision. I do.
But who would listen to me?
If you were to come on board, they would take this seriously.
Do you have a business plan, budget, etc?
Yes, sir. It's all ready.
Send it to me. I'll have a look at it.
-Sohail… -[Sohail] Yes.
[Sohail] Just think. B-League, here in Srinagar.
[hopeful music fades]
You're out of your mind.
Don't you know you can't get a direct entry into B-League?
[Sohail] I know…
So we'll start from the second division.
-"We"? -You'll be the coach, obviously.
Look, it's in your blood.
I'm already the coach for the insurance team.
[scoffs] "Insurance team."
All the players in that team only care about their jobs.
What was the last match you played?
Sohail…
I can't quit my job, dude.
I'm responsible for Mom.
Just think…
We're getting a chance to bring football back to Kashmir.
You gave Shirish Kemmu a five-minute lecture in the bathroom,
and now you're pipe dreaming.
I will not quit my job.
I don’t understand…
You met with the boy who threw a grenade at you…
-Hmm. -And you didn't even report him?
Kaveri, he's a kid, barely 18 years old.
He's gone a little astray, why would I report him?
Hmm.
He could join our therapy group at the Trust.
I don't think he'd come.
[Kaveri] These kids don’t need punishment, they need help.
[in English] But you can’t make someone do what they don’t want to do.
Hmm?
[in English] Very funny.
Look… How long has it been since we got here?
You still haven't visited Pampore.
-[mellow music plays] -I will go.
Give me some time.
-[Ghazal] Sohail. -[Sohail] Hmm.
[Ghazal] Are you going to stay up all night?
Maybe.
Why did you commit if the budget and plans weren't ready?
[chuckles]
-[Ghazal] I'm going to bed. -[Sohail] Hmm.
[mellow music turns hopeful and upbeat]
[music fades]
[sighs]
1.5 crores?
You think I have some kind of treasure buried outside?
These match-day revenues, TV rights projections…
… why are they so inflated?
No, sir… I have a top-level coach, knowledge… the players will come.
And I'm talking to someone regarding Bakshi Stadium.
Your salary?
Look, I can give you the shares.
But I will not be paying you a manager's salary till everything is fast-tracked.
Agreed.
Once we qualify for the B-League, they'll be lining up for tickets.
Lining up for tickets for a football match?
Right.
I'm starting to feel like I'm caught in a pyramid scheme.
Sir, just think about the rewards we would reap if we accomplished this.
Okay, so the players, coach, ground… it's all done?
[voice wavering] Selection of players is due.
-[Shirish] When is that? -Sunday.
-This Sunday? -[Sohail] Yes.
-Where? -The ground will be confirmed tomorrow.
Okay. Let me know the time and place.
[Sohail] Sure.
Let's see what you've got.
Then we'll talk.
[papers rustling]
-[Sohail] Sir… -Hmm?
-[Sohail] Thank you, sir. -[playful music playing]
[children playing]
Brother, listen… This is such a big ground.
Just give me a small corner for my boys to play in.
If you must make them play, why not cricket?
At least there's some future there.
It's just for one day.
I told you already. Playing football is not allowed here.
[man] Come on…
[indistinct chatter]
It's fine, the field is just slightly uneven…
-Can boys play football here? -Yes, cricket too.
But there's a mall coming up here.
The deal will be finalised tomorrow.
[Sohail] Damn…
You really think the world needs another shopping mall?
[man] Who cares. Let it be built.
[man chuckles]
Hey! That's my car! Brother!
[indistinct chatter]
[music fades]
[Shirish] … he came in for an interview and seemed to be hard-working,
so I thought, why not?
-Thank you. -Oh.
Greetings.
[Amaan’s Father] Why didn’t you answer Mr. Shirish’s calls?
Sorry, sir.
The boy is a little lazy, but has a good heart.
These days boys his age are protesting or rioting.
But not this one.
[nervously] I… I didn’t get any calls.
You never told us that you had gone for an interview.
You’ve got the job.
-[playful music plays] -[Shirish] You must be busy…
… with your other work.
So I thought it best to come myself.
[hesitates] Th-thank you.
Tomorrow, 9:30 sharp. Office. Okay?
[Amaan’s Father] Sir, tea…
-[Shirish] It’s very nice. -[Amaan’s Father] Thank you.
[playful music fades]
[Sohail] Over there.
[man] Look, your car blends in with the scrap.
[Sohail] Greetings.
Whose land is this?
It's mine.
-Why, do you want to buy it? -No…
It's such a big space… why don't you keep it clean?
[scrapyard owner] What's it to you?
Do you answer every question with a question?
-What's your issue? -No, I'm just saying that
this place can earn you a lot of money.
The Traffic Police pays me plenty in rent.
What else am I going to do with this scrapyard?
I can tell you that.
You just need to have these cars and all the big items moved.
I will double what you earn from the Traffic Police.
[indistinct chatter]
Ibrahim was telling me that you are Srinagar Journal's rising star.
I don't know about that, all I know is that I'm grateful for this opportunity.
Please sit.
Mr. Nazir, this city has barely begun to get back on its feet…
In light of that, all this for a wine shop… do you think it's justified?
Look. Today it's just a wine shop.
Tomorrow there might be a brothel, the day after, they may start selling opium.
You tell me, should I just stand by and watch Kashmiri boys being corrupted?
-But selling alcohol is legal. -It's haram.
That’s enough.
So does that mean it was justified to lob a grenade at the protest?
If you do someone wrong, don't expect them to shower you with flowers.
The Kashmir Youth Group is against using weapons.
But we will definitely use our voice.
Does that mean your protests will continue?
You call it a protest, we call it a fight.
This fight will continue until we bring Kashmiri-ness back over here.
What does Kashmiri-ness mean to you?
Can you explain it clearly?
Look.
Kashmiri-ness is not some buzzword.
It is that which differentiates us
from those who want to put an end to our refined ways.
Who want to strip away our dignity.
But I won't let that happen.
[worker] Sir…
[Shirish] I told you to come at 9.30, right?
Did the clock at home stop working or something?
I can't just drop things and come.
Plus you're blackmailing me to be here.
Blackmail?
I'm giving you a job. For which you will get a salary.
I don't want to work here.
Really?
Okay.
I'm calling your Dad. Why don't you tell him yourself?
-[playful music playing] -Shall I?
What's wrong?
Come on in. That's saffron, that's turmeric, and that's red chilli powder.
They need to be unpacked and shelved.
Any issues, ask him. I'm off.
[Sameer] Sir…
-Sohail, come on in. -Hope I haven't disturbed you.
[Shirish] Not at all. What's up?
Sir, tryouts on Sunday.
5 o'clock, at this location.
[Shirish] Free football? For everyone?
I thought it would help the boys' morale…
How does it make sense if you have to bribe them to increase their morale?
No, sir…
We need to remind them that we're not doing this for the money.
That we're doing it for the Kashmiris.
Sir.
-I took care of it. I'll be leaving. -Hey, wait…
You need someone to distribute the flyers?
-Yes. -He will help you.
[scoffs]
You're tossing me around like a football!
And he's setting up a football club. Perfect.
Do you like football?
-Nope. -Fine then. Distribute the flyers.
It's work.
Hand it over.
-[Sohail] Okay, sir. -[Shirish] See you.
[Naved] Can we do it tomorrow? I wanted to go to Sonmarg today.
Salmaan? Don't you want to play football and earn money?
[Salmaan] I want to…
-[Naved] Me, too. What do we have to do? -[Amaan] Come with me.
-[whimsical music plays] -[in Kashmiri] Uncle, take this.
-Football tryouts… Send your kids. -[indistinct chatter]
[Salmaan] How's it going, brother?
Time to close the shop.
Who closes their shop this early?
And you will tell me when I should open and shut my shop?
I just need to put this up.
[Farooq] I'll charge you 100 rupees for that.
100 rupees?
Why don't you just take it instead? Do you like football?
Yes.
[Salmaan] Football trials tomorrow. Show up.
[Dilshad] Coach…
A pro football club in Kashmir.
-I can’t believe it! -Real Kashmir?
[Dilshad] Yes.
So…
I was thinking of going to the tryouts tomorrow.
You know we haven’t played a match for the longest time.
Will that be a problem for you?
No, no. You should go.
You should definitely go.
Okay, Coach.
Why don’t you come as well?
They will surely need a coach.
They probably already hired someone.
But thanks, Dilshad.
-[Roohi] Madam? -Hmm?
I wanted to leave a little early today.
So if there's nothing else…
Nothing pressing. You can leave. See you tomorrow.
-Hello. -[Sohail] Hello.
-Hello, Mr. Adil. -[Adil] Hello…
Will you have these made? In two colours. Eleven units each.
What are these?
Football bibs. For the club tryouts.
So… when will they be ready?
I can understand that you don't want to work at the Journal but…
[sighs]
Why can't you look for another job?
Do you know Zohan’s fees have been increased?
With such inflation, how will we manage on my income alone?
Why this football club?
It's necessary. Have some faith.
I do have faith in you.
-But you-- -[Sohail] "You are a falcon,
flight is your vocation."
“The skies stretch out endlessly before you.”
Mom had warned me that a love marriage would cost me dearly.
You should've listened to her then.
Please have these made.
No. I have to study later.
This will help with memory retention.
No? Okay.
I don't know what I'm doing in life.
Who's forcing you to get stoned?
I'm not talking about that.
I can't spend my life chopping meat.
Then quit. Attend college, like me.
From the frying pan into the fire.
I think being a butcher is in my destiny.
Like my Dad, and his Dad before him.
But who you are depends on how you think, right?
Which is why you need to think carefully, Farooq.
This isn't my job.
Shirish sir said you were to do any job you were given.
I have complete faith that
you will have this ground ready by the time the players are here.
Why are we serving this Pandit?
He shouldn't even be in Kashmir.
The boys will be here by 5 o'clock.
And they need an empty ground to play in. Right?
You can do it.
[playful music starts]
[Salmaan] I helped you distribute some flyers,
and now you're taking advantage of our friendship.
Stop talking nonsense. This is the first step to get into the team.
After this, all you have to do is play football and earn money.
Happening now? That's it…
[indistinct chatter]
Is it supposed to be this big?
Looks fine, right? Just see how it looks from the front. Huh?
-It's fine. -Looks fine to me.
Looks fine to me.
[Sohail] Arif, you can leave. I'll pay you tomorrow.
[playful music ends]
-Hello. -[Sohail] Hello.
Ghazal ma'am sent this.
[Sohail] I figured.
Damn…
If they wear this, they'll look like flower bouquets come alive.
This was the only available material.
-If it's not right I can take it back. -No! It's absolutely right.
-[low rumble of approaching engine] -Amaan!
Collect these bibs.
Hi…
Thank you.
-[Sohail] Thank you for taking time out. -All set?
Yes.
-Training will happen here? -Yes sir.
No disturbances here, it's perfect.
And the bamboo goalposts?
Just temporary.
You're running the training?
Sir, uh, just for the trials today.
You said you already had a coach.
What is that?
-Are you Mr. Sohail? -[Sohail] Yes.
Got delayed thanks to traffic on the highway.
[Sohail] No worries.
Careful.
Why did you have your stuff loaded onto my truck?
Sir…
-The truck was coming anyway-- -Did you ask for my permission?
No… Sir, I--
Don't make excuses, Sohail.
I'm not making excuses…
I was prepping for the trial and I forgot--
[Shirish] What prep?
You plan to create Kashmir's Real Madrid in this scrapyard?
Have you seen the time? It's 5 o'clock.
-Do you see a single player? -Sir, they will come.
This place is a bit far, finding it may take time.
They'll be here soon--
[Amaan] Sir.
-They won't come. -Why?
It says 7 o' clock.
Wow.
Super.
It was supposed to say 1700 hours…
But that's good news! This means the players will come.
Then you should find an investor who thinks that is good news. Okay?
They will be here by 7 o'clock.
And then what will they do?
It'll be dark in an hour.
An hour is enough, it's just a trial.
And after that, if you still feel
that you are not satisfied, you can take a call.
-Soh… -Sir…
Thank you, sir.
-[distant call to prayer] -[papers rustling]
[quiet, birds chirping]
[hopeful music plays]
Real Kashmir Football Club?
Trial's happening here, right?
-[approaching motorcycle’s hum] -[hopeful music builds]
And the prodigal son returns.
A real team should have a real coach.
Coach?
You're here?
Why? Thought you'd have all the fun alone? [chuckles]
[honking and motorcycle engines roaring]
[music fades]
[Sohail] Please stand in line and get yourself registered.
Dilshad Baig. Forward.
Get your photo taken.
[Arbaaz] Arbaaz Noor.
Primary position centre back, but I can play as a midfielder, too.
Haafiz Zahoor. Central Defense.
But you're wearing cricket gear?
I'll change before the trials.
Ajaypal Sant. Central Defense.
Remove your kitbag.
Rudra Raina. Goalie.
Where are your gloves?
I have gloves. Plenty of them.
Farooq Koloo.
I can play any position. How much is the salary?
-[whimsical music plays] -What?
We're getting paid to play for the club, right?
You will only be paid if you get selected to the team.
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
What'll you do now? It's dark.
[indistinct chatter continues]
[Amaan] Come!
-[short, sharp whistle] -[bike engine kick-starts]
[Amaan] That's it!
Lovely, well done!
This way!
Headlights on full beam!
A little closer!
[player] What a genius idea, Amaan! Crazy!
[Amaan] Come on! All around the ground!
Here.
Behind the line!
Perfect!
[indistinct chatter]
So boys, let's start the trials! Seven-a-side!
Goalkeepers, go to your posts.
[bike engines idling]
[Mustafa] Amaan, hand me the bibs.
We have to wear this?
-[in Kashmiri] Put it on quick. -Take it.
Here.
-[Rudra] Girls' clothes? -[Farooq] Ever tried wearing them?
[Mustafa] Blue team on this side, and yellow team on the other.
Each half will last 15 minutes. After that, we switch sides.
-[all] Yes, sir. -[Sohail] What are you doing here?
Heard about this club, thought I must do a story on it.
If you write a meaningful story, it might get you reprimanded at the office.
We'll know that for sure only after the story is written.
By the way, what are you doing here?
This is my club.
[in English] Really?
Is that Shirish Kemmu?
Yes. He's our investor.
[in English] Enjoy.
[Mustafa] Listen up!
Take your time and play with integrity.
No hard shoulder pushes, no rough tackles. Understood?
[all] Yes, sir!
Subs will roll. Let's go!
[lively music plays]
[indistinct chatter]
Close the angle!
Look! It's open!
-[Sohail] What’s his name? -[Mustafa] Rudra.
[Sohail] Looks promising.
What a save.
It's simple math.
The striker just needs to be stopped from getting into the shooting angle vortex.
[Mustafa] Keep going, boys!
-[player 1] Come on, guys! -[player 2] Pass!
[indistinct shouts from players]
-[player 3] Block him! -[Mustafa] Close in!
[indistinct shouts from players continue]
[Mustafa] He is no good.
[indistinct chatter]
-[Salmaan] Hey! Foul! -[Mustafa] What's his name?
Cricket Boy.
Hey! Pass, pass, pass!
[indistinct chatter]
[Mustafa] Yes!
[Dilshad] Siu!
Nicely done, Dilshad!
That boy is sharp.
[Salmaan] Foul!
-[player 4] Come on, come on! -[player 5] Pass, pass!
-Nice save, buddy! -[player 6] Well played!
[Mustafa] Good one!
Come on, boys, keep the ball moving!
[player 7] Take it away!
[player 8] Pass!
[indistinct shouts from players continue]
[player 9] I'm open! Pass it to me!
[player 10] Penalty, coach, penalty!
-It’s not a penalty, Coach! -[indistinct chatter]
-[Sohail] Isn't this great, sir? -Are you fine?
RKFC players, on the RKFC practice ground, playing under the RKFC coach.
Next step,
B-League, second division.
[Security Force guard] What's going on here? Huh?
-[tense music plays] -[indistinct chatter]
[Rudra] Where did these Security Force guys come from…
[Farooq] What are the Security Force doing here?
Sir, is everything okay? What's wrong?
There's a curfew 8 o'clock onwards. Shut this down.
[Shirish] Sorry. We were training and lost track of time.
[Security Force guard] So many people cannot gather in one place.
-Come on, leave. -[Shirish] Yes, two minutes, Sohail…
Sir…
We'll stop after the penalty. That's it.
Please, sir…
[indistinct chatter continues]
-Fine, go ahead. But hurry. -Okay.
Mustafa! Come on, hurry…
[indistinct chatter]
[Farooq] You scored a goal already, didn't you?
Now move. This is my goal.
-[Shirish] Do you play football as well? -Yes.
We're the defending champions for the Competition Cup.
-Valour Vanguards. -I see.
I must congratulate the Commandant for that when I meet him.
He's a friend of mine.
[anticipatory music builds]
[player] Nice save, man!
-Yes! -[cheering and celebration erupt]
All right, enough. Time to leave.
All right, boys! Take your bags and leave.
-[player 2] Yes, sir. -[Sohail] Come on!
-[Shirish] Thank you. -[Mustafa] Come on!
[Security Force guard] Let's go, boys.
Well played.
-[engine fades as vehicle drives away] -Sorry, sir.
-We had to finish early. -Nah.
How long will it take to get to the B-League?
We'll first need to play second division. Six months at least.
But that always depends on how much you're investing--
Forty lakhs.
Can you make it eighty, forty is low--
Sohail.
I have forty lakhs, that's it.
[crickets chirping]
-[hopeful music plays] -Forty lakhs.
Deal.
I won't disappoint you.
You have six months.
Bring football back to Kashmir.
-Yes, sir. -Hmm?
[theme music starts]
[theme music ends]
[bouncy, upbeat music plays]
[bouncy, upbeat music ends]
[melancholic music plays]
[melancholic music ends]