[doorbell rings]
Mr. Real Kashmir at my doorstep?
We're mortified about what happened on the ground that day.
Who is “we”?
Mustafa and I.
But you're here alone.
[crows cawing in the distance]
[birds chirping]
-It's been ages, Coach. All well? -Yes. Are you well?
I am how I always was.
Coming in?
We have started a professional football club here.
Yes, I heard. He's been looking for the right opportunity as well. Right?
I've kept my options open.
Shah, all Kashmiris will be proud of this club.
It's a noble thought.
But one should always inspect one's wings before taking off on a long flight.
Anyway, what's the plan?
DFO Cup.
Delhi?
If we want to fly high, we must spread our wings wide.
Not bad. Big clubs will be there.
Our club can be big too, if you choose to be a part of it.
So if we need you on loan for one tournament, who do we talk to?
You don't need to talk to anyone else.
I'm not signed with anyone currently.
Wow, that's amazing then.
[Shah] Amazing or terrible?
That's for the Coach to decide.
[tense music playing]
If a player like you joins the team…
…the team will become strong.
That's it, then! What's to think about?
Sure. No harm in doing it.
-But for this tournament only. -[tense music fades]
Of course. As you wish.
Thank you for coming here.
Thanks for the tea.
Uh, Shah…
Can you record a video saying you will be playing for the team?
-It'll motivate the players… -Why not. Hand me your phone.
I'm delighted that our local club, RKFC, will participate in Delhi's DFO Cup.
And the favourite son of Kashmir, yours truly, will be playing for RKFC.
Wearing that same #7 jersey.
No #7, no Shah.
Then we will have both.
[Sohail] Sent the video to Delhi.
You owe me one. Remember that.
[Sohail] Well, we'll know who owes whom only after the tournament.
Now let's get our players ready ASAP.
[Sohail] It'll be fine. We have ten days.
-What do you mean, ten days? -Yeah, it’s next weekend.
-Didn't I tell you? -No, you didn't.
I didn't?
They can barely play during training now.
How are they going to be ready for the DFO Cup in ten days?
The two of us will figure out a way. Come on.
[message tone]
It’s official. We are in.
-God help us. It's going to be rough. -It'll be fine.
[theme music starts]
[theme music ends]
-[Amaan] Sir! -[Sohail] Hmm.
[Amaan] There is a strike from day after tomorrow. So no bus services.
Why don't we look at private operators?
Private? That will be expensive.
Well,
I'm sure our Operations Manager will find a cheaper alternative. Right?
-[indistinct chatter in the background] -Huh?
Y-yes, sir, that's exactly what I'm doing.
[Shirish] Sohail!
Yes, sir.
Have we signed Azlan Shah?
Did I not tell you?
Sorry. Yes, we signed him.
The Shah of Srinagar will play for his own city.
Just listening to that makes me feel good.
Sure it feels good, but we don't have the budget for this.
He's doing it for free, sir.
Azlan Shah is playing for free?
Yes. I told him that we'd talk about money once the club is up and running.
-You're serious? -[Sohail] Yes.
[joyful music plays]
Wow, that's amazing.
You mean…
Sohail.
[joyful music fades]
What are our chances in Delhi?
Our chances have improved with the arrival of Shah…
[Shirish] Hmm.
Whether we win or lose, we will show everyone
that Real Kashmir is for real.
-[joyful music plays] -[chuckles]
That's important. Real Kashmir is for real.
-[joyful music fades] -[faint chatter]
Look how happy the boys are with Azlan.
-[Shah] Straight line. -It increases their morale.
[Shah] Come on. Good job.
Azlan only thinks about himself.
He's selfish.
Tell me who's not selfish? Everyone is.
And why do you think so negatively?
You may know Shah,
but I know who he really is.
[chatter continues]
Boys!
I have some good news for us all.
We're taking part in the DFO Cup in Delhi next week.
[all cheer]
[Sohail] Congratulations.
I told you all we are…
[Sohail] …a professional club, right?
-[Amaan] Wait, I'll call you back. -[Sohail] We'll play our first pro match.
But we don't have too much time, so we need to double our efforts.
-Yes, Coach. -[Mustafa] Let's go.
Yes, sir.
-Let's go! -[Amaan] Sir!
Bus.
[scrapyard owner] I told you already,
I don't want to sell the bus.
My brother left it in my care.
I understand, but look at the state it is in.
[scrapyard owner] I'm aware of its state.
Why are you so interested in buying this scrap then?
Never mind that. Just answer me this…
What if we were to fix it up, change the tyres,
and return it to you sparkling clean?
You're a mechanic as well?
No… But Amaan's uncle is a top-class mechanic.
Right, Amaan?
Yes… Uncle will transform this into a plane in an hour.
And think about it, imagine you return it to your brother fully restored…
He'd love that, wouldn't he?
Plus, we'll pay you for the miles we put on it.
-In cash? -[Sohail] In cash.
[background chatter]
Okay.
-[Mustafa] Reset! -[sharp whistle]
[Mustafa] Farooq, stay sharp!
Pass it to a player who's open!
If there isn't one, don't take a risk!
Farooq!
Center!
Shah!
What are you doing! Stop him!
Imran!
Pass!
Here, Imran. Return!
[Shah] Imran!
Rudra! Follow the ball till the end.
-Why didn't you pass? -Sir said not to take a risk.
There's nothing riskier than playing it safe.
-I'm only going to say this once. -[tense music builds]
Risk yields results.
Got it?
And you.
Your game mirrors your identity.
So when you play, just be yourself.
Hmm?
[players chattering]
[tense music fades]
Here.
Now you're taking advantage.
It's wedding season, I can't take on more work.
How will the boys play football without jerseys?
Please understand, my love.
Your boys will make certain that my girls remain unmarried.
I have orders to fulfil. Look…
Yes, but I'm paying you for it…
This will barely cover the fabric.
Damn…
Surely this is enough.
Sohail, my tailor is busy.
Listen, take more.
What are you doing? That's enough!
Hey, don't make me beg. Just do it for that much?
What do you mean “just do it”?
I'm not some shopkeeper, I'm your wife.
Then support me as my wife.
Support?
[mellow music plays]
Sohail, please keep me away from this football scheme of yours.
Why does everyone think I'm running a scheme? RKFC is a business.
A business generates money for the home. This is a business.
Workers, expenses, suppliers, filing taxes…
Paying back debts!
And a little bit of profit.
I'm running the house, somehow, through this business.
That's all the support I can offer.
[street vendors calling out]
-[whistle blows] -[mellow music ends]
[Shah] Come here.
Closer!
Ali, out!
Very good! Triangles!
Arbaaz, pass to Ali!
[Shah] Take the shot, Arbaaz! Shoot!
-Yes! -Superb, Arbaaz!
Stop!
Arbaaz, I told you to pass to Ali!
-But I scored a goal. -That doesn't matter.
He was in a better position!
And you think the teams in Delhi will give you that much space to take a shot?
[Shah] But he got that space today, right?
He took advantage of it and scored a goal.
This is a team sport, not some solo show!
Nobody needs to be a hero.
[sternly] Everyone, over here!
Hard work alone will not help us win against the teams in Delhi.
We have to focus harder on teamwork.
Improve yourself and your game,
but you should have the highest amount of faith in your teammates.
If you don't trust each other, we won't win our games. Got it?
-[all] Yes, Coach! -[louder] Got it?
[all] Yes, Coach.
Okay, boys. Everybody, cool down.
[Shah] Boys…
Come back here.
One, two, three…
-RKFC! -[all] RKFC!
Coach… I can't go to Delhi.
Why?
My parents won't allow it.
But you're our main goalkeeper.
They're not happy with me playing football.
They will refuse to let me go to Delhi.
This isn't a school event…
You signed a professional contract.
I didn't sign it, my Dad did.
I have to do whatever he says.
I’m sorry, Coach.
-[indistinct chatter] -[approaching footsteps]
-What took you so long? -Sorry, Dad.
I missed the bus, so I ran all the way.
Thing is, Dad, I need to improve my game.
So… Should I go to Delhi to watch a Ranji match?
-I'll learn a lot. -[playful music starts]
Many players are coming. Dhoni, too.
-What do you say? -That's a great idea.
You won't find better inspiration before your selections elsewhere.
I'll arrange for your tickets.
-Go on. -Thank you.
[playful music ends]
Were you looking for me over there?
I have been waiting for so long.
I wasn't looking for you.
-What are you doing here? -We're going to Delhi tomorrow.
-To play our first match. -[Roohi] Congratulations.
Are you upset?
You're so innocent. How could I ever explain it to you?
[Farooq] Can you just be straight up?
You were so rude to me that day on the ground, in front of everyone.
I was humiliated.
You know how those boys are.
Let it go, just forgive me.
[Roohi] I really hate fake apologies.
If you can’t respect me, at least--
Look, I made a mistake. I swear to God. Forgive me.
I'm giving you one last chance.
If there's really a future for the two of us,
then I have to know that you and I are on the same page.
I apologised. [snaps fingers] I don't need another chance.
Ice cream?
[indistinct chatter]
[Nazir] The people are coming together…
And this is all a result of your hard work and sheer force of will.
The posters put up everywhere have forced the public to think.
-We-- -[phone rings]
We need to convince the people that
together, we can once again make Kashmir
the kind of paradise that was described in books.
Every big movement starts at a location of significance.
We will begin ours at Hazratbal.
-Are you ready? -[all] We're ready!
[phone rings]
[Nazir] What’s going on? Is there a problem?
[voice wavering] No, sir. Everything is fine.
What are we fighting for?
-For Kashmir. -And what is more important than that?
Nothing, sir.
Don't let that vanish from your mind and your sight.
Hmm?
Yes.
Go over there and find a ground from where I can address the people.
-Carry on working. -[all] Yes.
[phone rings]
[Nazir] Rahat…
Now we can start prepping for our campaign in earnest.
Yes.
Perhaps our wine shop friend might become magnanimous
and bestow us with some funding.
Who, Kemmu? Not a chance.
Maybe we need to try a different method to make him understand.
[Shirish’s lawyer] Nazir went to court.
He's filed an injunction order on the wine shop.
Lawbreakers are now taking the help of the law.
Great.
Did you read this?
-[Sameer] It's utter rubbish-- -Not rubbish, it's false.
He wants money.
If we fund his campaign, he'll back off.
Just give him the money.
He said he would call off the protest if you did that.
And the protestors leaving would mean an uptick in business again.
[Shirish’s lawyer] You never know with people like Nazir.
His youth campaign is rapidly gaining momentum.
And what is his campaign premise?
To bring Kashmir its lost reputation back.
What does that even mean?
Sir, he's right. Let's just settle the issue and be done with it.
If this escalates into something really bad for no reason…
How many years have you both known me for?
[somber music playing]
-[somber music fades] -[keyboard clicking]
Well… [sighs] at least we have Ajaz.
Don't let your misery guide you to madness.
There's a chasm of difference between his and Rudra's skill set.
Did you talk to Rudra's parents?
[Mustafa] It's pointless.
I heard his dad is a prominent officer.
[Amaan] Sir…
I spoke to the jersey supplier. The yellow is on discount.
Great.
I like yellow and discounts, both.
Have RKFC printed across the front.
-All right-- -[Sohail] Okay. Hey, listen!
-[Amaan] Yes, sir? -Any luck with the bus?
I found an RTC driver. He's charging low rates, too.
-Is the bus in working order? -It's in zooming order, sir.
Shall I have RKFC painted on the bus? I can ask Naved.
-[Sohail] Yes, sure. -Okay.
I didn't realise just talking could solve the problem…
Recovering from trauma is a long journey.
You did great by getting your husband to open up.
Hmm?
And you, Fatima? Any progress?
Mustafa has started coaching football again.
I try to bring up his Dad under the pretext of coaching…
[quivering voice] But it is still very hard for him.
[inhales shakily]
For me, too.
[Kaveri] I understand.
But you will feel better, slowly. Hmm?
God willing, Kaveri ma'am.
Thank heavens for this club that came into our lives.
Club?
[Fatima] Real Kashmir.
[Kashmiri song playing on the radio]
[Mustafa humming softly]
-[Mustafa] Hello, Mom. -[Fatima] Hello, Son.
Why do you seem stressed?
How did you know?
Because you're listening to this music.
-[button clicks] -[song stops]
Azlan Shah is back in Srinagar.
He's joined our club.
But he hasn't changed a bit.
He has no respect for the coach's position.
But you're the coach. Fire him.
[Mustafa] I can't.
They won't let us play in the tournament without him.
That's not fair. You won’t leave the club, but--
No, Mom.
I won't.
After so many years I feel like I'm living.
But…
I'm scared of Azlan Shah's ego shattering the team.
Do you know what your Dad would have said if he was here?
Don't let Shah's ego become your weakness.
Use his rage against him, and turn it into your strength.
Up.
Down.
Up.
Okay, that's good boys.
Set pieces will be important in this match.
Let's do the corner setup at this end.
[player] Yes, Coach.
We should practice defending from free kicks.
I want to practice corners.
[Shah] But our first match is against NCR and…
they scored most of their goals through free kicks last season.
Just one goal from the corner.
-Do you want to be the coach? -[tense music builds]
No. You're the coach.
No, I'm serious.
I'm sure the boys will learn a lot from your experience.
-You're right, we should practice corners. -[tense music fades]
Go on, everybody.
[sharp whistle]
[Rudra grunts]
-Why did you push me, you jerk? -[in English] What the fuck!
-What was that? -Save your English for home!
You cry about something every two minutes!
-[Rudra] I could have gotten a concussion! -[Farooq] You're such a princess!
If you're that fragile, wear a dress from tomorrow!
Fucking street trash, I'll show you. Let's play!
-Who are you calling street trash? -You! Now play! I'll show you!
-I told you-- -Hey, enough! Enough!
You, calm down.
And you!
Do you want to play the match or sit on the bench with a red card?
You'll take the whole team down with you.
That’s enough. Come on.
Let's end with the attacking drill.
-Rudra, wait with me for a bit. -[Rudra] Sir.
Ajaz, go in goal.
Okay, ready, let's go!
[sharp whistle]
[indistinct chatter]
Next!
All right, it's fine, Ajaz. Let's try once more.
[Shah] Really, Ajaz?
Come out!
[Ajaz] I…I'll save it next time.
Weekends are for Rudra's studies and tutor classes.
He can bring his books along.
I guarantee he will work on his studies.
I can't leave my son’s academics up to you.
Sir…
He's our team's main goalkeeper--
Rudra is our only son.
We can't destroy his future to fulfil your needs.
His future won't be destroyed. In fact, it will be secured
if he makes a name in football as well as academics.
Sending him to another city with strangers…
… we are not comfortable.
Ma'am, they're very good boys.
In fact, they all love Rudra.
-Are they older boys? -No, they're all around the same age…
Um…
[hesitant tone] Are there any from downtown?
[unsettling silence]
[soft music plays]
There are boys from Raj Bagh and Jawahar Nagar…
But yes, some boys are from downtown as well.
Mr. Sohail, we hope you can understand.
[in English] Thanks for coming.
Thank you.
-[soft music fades] -[keyboard clicking]
[Ibrahim] Nighat.
You covered the liquor story well.
Good job.
But what's this other story…
Rashid covers sports, right?
And you cover community affairs.
Sir, that's not about sports.
My general knowledge isn't that bad.
I know football is a sport.
But this is about the club.
When I was young, my uncle used to tell me about
how he used to play football for the Transport Department.
Folks from all over the state would come to watch the match.
This new football club could start a similar new trend.
Save the stories for the paper instead of telling them to me.
It'll help your career.
Did you hear about Nazir’s injunction on Kemmu Wines?
Yes, the hearing's tomorrow.
Cover the injunction.
You can work on this after that.
Okay?
[Manager] Mustafa,
-…verify this by Monday, okay? -Okay.
Sir, umm…
Actually, I wanted Friday and Monday off…
-Your Mom? -[Mustafa] Yes, uh…
She needs to get some tests done…
And you already know there's no one else to take care of her but me.
Mustafa, I sympathise with your situation…
but you've been taking many days off recently.
Sir, the work will be done on time. Don't worry about that at all.
Fine, do one thing. Take the work home with you and complete it there.
But there should be no delays in submission.
-There won't be any delays. -[Manager] Okay.
Thank you, sir.
-Dilshad… -Coach…
This needs to be done by Monday. Will you do it?
Yes, of course. Is your Mom's health better now?
[in a hushed voice] I'm going to Delhi.
[Dilshad] Delhi?
RKFC's playing in a tournament.
-Oh, I see. [chuckles sadly] -[somber music builds]
-DFO cup? -[Mustafa] Yes.
All the best, Coach…
It will be done.
[somber music fades]
[Sohail] I went to Shah’s house
and spoke to him.
Now he’s in our team.
We don’t have a goalkeeper though…
You're not getting it.
I have to prepare for two weddings this week.
And now you're palming off responsibility for Zohan onto me.
I know we spoke about it…
The tournament popped up suddenly… What can I tell you?
You have a life outside of football.
Do you realise that at all?
No, I…
Let's do one thing, I'll take Zohan with me.
-Delhi? -[Sohail] Yes.
Are you insane?
You said I don't spend any time with him. I can do it over there.
No need to do us any favours.
You'll forget you even have a son amongst those football players.
Fine, then.
He can stay with me at the shop. I will look after him there.
At least I'll know that my kid is safe.
You go to Delhi.
Do you want Shah’s signed sneakers?
[line ringing]
-[Sameer on call] Hello. -[Shirish] Hello, Sameer.
I will come in to office a little late today.
-[Sameer on call] Everything okay, sir? -[Shirish] Yes, fine. It’s just that…
I promised Kaveri I’d take care of something.
Take a right from here.
[indistinct chatter]
[melancholic music builds]
[flashback playful shouts echo]
Right here, you can stop…
-[flashback voices fade away] -[melancholic music ends]
[Kaveri] Shirish?
What's wrong?
Kaveri…
[Kaveri] Wha--
I tried today.
-[melancholic music builds] -To go to Pampore.
Right here, you can stop…
[flashback playful shouts echo]
[Shirish] I saw the yard where Lalit and I used to play cricket.
[flashback playful shouts echo]
Salim…
Let's go back, I have some work to do at the office.
[Driver] Yes, sir.
[melancholic music fades into a soft, gentle tune]
It’s okay. You tried.
He would always stretch the match till the very last ball.
He would always want to hit a sixer on the last ball.
Abdul, Mohan, Sandeep…Everyone would fight to be a part of his team.
The whole neighbourhood would gather to see his team play…
I would be scared…
-[flashback playful shouts echo] -What if we lost the match?
But him?
He wasn't scared of anything.
Like you.
I'm a coward.
[soft, gentle tune fades]
[IVR] The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.
-It will be here any minute, sir… -[Sohail] It's getting late…
[melodic bus horn approaches]
[player 1] Our flying chariot is here…
[people clapping and hooting]
-Lovely. -[Naved] I designed it.
-[player 2] Nice, Brother Naved! -[Naved] I designed it!
-[player 3] Naved, you did that? -[Naved] Yes, I did.
[players hooting and cheering]
Come on, boys. Let's go!
Let's go, boys!
Well done, Naved!
[Sohail] I know you all are very excited,
but listen to the schedule first.
Our group will have two matches.
The first match is on Saturday morning, and the second one on Sunday morning.
If we win in our group,
-we play the finals on Sunday afternoon. -[excited hooting]
And today we are not individuals named Farooq, Haafiz, Naved, Ajaypal…
Today we all are Kashmir.
-[players clapping and hooting] -Okay, let’s go!
[engine roars to life]
One minute… Where's Rudra?
His folks refused permission.
Without him we'll be destroyed.
We have another goalkeeper. Our #2.
Brother, you can drive.
If your #1 can't go, your #7 won't go either.
Stop the bus!
[shouts] Hey! I told you to stop the bus!
[screeching brakes followed by a hiss]
[distressed music swells and fades]
[pensive music plays]
[pensive music fades]
[bouncy, upbeat music plays]
[bouncy, upbeat music ends]
[melancholic music plays]
[melancholic music ends]