[Sohail] I have some really good news for you.
We've arranged the next match.
And it's happening right here, in Srinagar.
-Wow! -Here?
-We're playing on this ground? -No, at…
the cantonment.
-What? -What?
[Sohail] We're playing at the cantonment?
[player 1] Why there?
Sir, you must be joking…
Look, this match is crucial for the B-League qualifiers.
You couldn't find us any other team?
-Yes, sir, the Jammu team-- -I don't want to hear it.
This match is confirmed for this Tuesday.
Okay. Douglas.
-I'm out, bro. -[indistinct chatter]
Okay, so, back to the Gegenpress.
Coach…
What do you think? Should we really play this match?
We absolutely should.
Otherwise what's the point of all this?
…we don't wait, we defend. Here.
And win the ball back.
Press… and win.
[Douglas] Blue!
Press harder! Back!
Go, go!
Press!
[Rudra] I mean, it’s just a match.
Exactly. What's the big deal?
I don’t know.
Let me ask Shah sir.
-[Rudra] Shah sir. -Hmm?
What do you think? Should we play in the cantt?
If we want to qualify, we have to play this match.
Football first, emotions later.
Back! Next!
[indistinct chatter]
Let them do what they want to do.
I'm not going.
Anyone with basic common sense would not go.
Alright, lads! That's enough. Let's switch it up.
Now we’ll see if they can really press.
[whistle blows]
[Douglas] Go, go! Press harder!
Press, press!
Stop!
Let’s switch ends.
-[whistle blows] -[Douglas] Press harder!
Stop! Run it again!
[whistle blows]
Bah! It's not working. Stop!
Let’s try the 5-4-1.
The opposition, the Vanguards… they have a very strong attack.
They have scored twelve goals in the last four matches.
So I think we should just sit deep, and then hit them on the counter.
Gather around, donkeys!
[Farooq] Listen…
Let's skip training tomorrow.
-[Dilshad] Good idea. -Only then will they understand.
Alright, we’re going to try the idiot-proof 5-4-1.
-I'll message everyone on the group. -[Douglas] This aggressive press
is not working.
So park the bus… And hit them on the counter.
Now, back to your positions.
[theme music starts]
[theme music ends]
So, we get the match report,
we get the referee's signature, too. What next?
I got it.
We have to submit one copy to you and keep one for ourselves.
So does this mean that we're in?
Thank you.
We still need to win the match at the cantonment.
I thought we simply had to play?
Simply playing
might get us on the qualifier list…
But if we win, qualification is guaranteed.
Can we win?
We'll only know that by playing.
I…
[Amaan] What if there's some trouble at the cantonment ground?
Not like our players are saints…
Why bring about such a situation?
It's a match, not a battle, Amaan.
They're all professional footballers who have signed contracts.
Playing the match is their responsibility.
[Mustafa] It’s super exciting.
If we can manage to win against the opposition…
…then that means we will qualify.
True, but there was a lot of grumbling today.
It's just a bloody football game, not end-of-the-year ball.
I mean, so what if they don't get on with each other?
Oh, it’s more complicated than that.
Their lives have been affected, some of them directly. Like myself.
Well, how?
My father was killed.
In a crossfire.
[Mustafa] Who fired the bullet…?
I’ll never know.
Maybe it doesn’t matter,
because in the end what happened was bad.
[sad music playing]
That’s…
That’s gutting, mate. I’m sorry.
[indistinct chatter]
[bustling crowds]
[Jennifer] Douglas.
Douglas?
Are you all right?
Yeah, sorry…
Mustafa was telling me about the troubles some of the lads have been through.
Sounds like they've had a rough go.
I can see why they wouldn’t want to go to the cantonment.
It’s probably a good time for us to pack it in.
It is what it is. It’s up to them.
[indistinct chatter]
[Amaan] Papa, I wanted to ask you something.
[Ahmed] Sure, go on.
Should we…
If we have a match in the cantt, should we play?
Of course, why not?
The players are a bit fearful…
Look, son… All those players are around your age.
Young boys… away from their homes, alone, and just doing their jobs.
So RKFC should play the match inside the cantonment?
If they have been invited to play, they definitely should.
[Ahmed] If you don't go, nothing will change.
But if you go…
it could change everything.
I feel like I might have spread myself too thin, thanks to the club.
[Shirish] I really should've listened to you.
I should've stuck quietly to my businesses…
Why did I mire myself in this club stuff…
You know…
Initially I didn’t believe in the club and its potential…
But what you've done for these boys, this place…
…that's so inspiring.
It’s very difficult.
And do you know how much money is going into it?
-I don't even have a clear-- -[Kaveri] Shirish.
Those boys need this club.
Kashmir needs this club.
[Kaveri] India needs this club.
And…
You need this club.
Wow.
You're singing a completely new tune now.
You've set out to change Kashmir's climate,
am I not allowed to change my tune?
But… trust me.
People will not remember you for your businesses.
But this club will be your legacy.
[Kaveri] You’ve changed the lives of the people here.
I don't know…
[Kaveri] Don’t worry. You’ll figure it out.
-I’m off, getting late. Bye. -Have a nice day.
Why have you called us here so early?
Do you all remember why you joined this team?
-You woke us up to ask us that? -[Farooq giggling]
Sounds like he's been smoking what I usually smoke.
[everyone laughing]
You’re supposed to play the match at the cantt.
[Amaan] Who even knew us before this club was formed?
Sohail sir and Shirish sir have fought tooth and nail to set up this club.
So that we all have a collective goal to work towards.
A chance for some recognition.
Goals, recognition I get.
But it doesn’t mean we play at the cantt ground.
What difference does it make, man? We're playing against a football team.
Because of RKFC,
we are getting an opportunity to play them on their ground, as equals.
The opportunity to show them who we are.
[Amaan] If we run scared like always, it'll achieve nothing.
But if we play them on their ground, as equals…
…we would earn respect.
[hopeful music playing]
And respect is everything.
[Amaan] I said what I wanted to say.
Now it's up to you guys.
Maybe they'll not come, sir.
I suppose, let’s see.
[Douglas sighs]
Sorry, sir… I tried.
Maybe you talk, they understand--
That’s not my job, Amaan.
They’ve got to make their own choices.
RKFC’s never going to be a pro team without committed players.
What are you talking about?
Looks like they’ve staged a mutiny.
Obviously they’re not going to train today,
let alone play at the cantonment.
[Mustafa] Of course, they’re going to play.
[Douglas] Then why aren’t they here?
Because they’re not coming.
And I get it.
But nothing we can do will move the needle
if these boys don’t have the bottle to face adversity.
[indistinct chatter]
Hey, you all came…
Come on, you idiot… let's earn our respect back.
[players giggling]
[Douglas] Well, welcome back, boys…
Although, you donkeys are bloody late.
Thank you.
[Douglas] Now let’s get this 5-4-1 perfect.
We have one condition, Coach. We want another shot at the Gegenpress.
Please, Coach. We can do it.
Lads, I’m gonna tell you the truth about the Gegenpress.
It’s a mindset. Like when you want something so bad,
you don’t sit back and wait for it to fall in your lap.
You have to obsess about winning that ball back the second you lose it.
And if you can do that…
here… and here…
Then the whole world is going to see the Real Kashmir.
-Yes, Coach… -[all] Yes, Coach.
Then wipe those stupid looks off your faces and get kitted up.
[players chuckle]
-Okay, boys. -[Player] Let's go boys.
So I was wrong… The boys do have bottle.
-[indistinct chatter] -[Douglas chuckles]
-[eerie silence] -[birds chirping]
[door creaks]
[happy chatter and laughing flashbacks]
[cheering and giggling]
[somber music playing]
[young Shirish] Wait, Lalit. I'm coming!
[young Lalit] Come one, Shirish. Hurry up. Everyone is waiting.
[Shirish] The whole neighborhood would gather…
…to watch his team play.
[Sohail] Let’s bring football back to Kashmir.
[Shirish] I just hope this doesn't turn out to be a failed experiment.
[Kaveri] What would Lalit do?
[Shirish] Douglas sees something that we can’t.
[Sohail] What does it matter what he sees?
What do you think?
Because I know what I see.
[Sohail] Sir, we need a professional football club.
It will give Kashmir's youth, its people, a new hope and a new goal to work towards.
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.
[Douglas] Good effort today, lads.
Now let’s see that on Tuesday,
we’ll show them the back of our boots.
-[players] Yes, Coach. -All right!
[all] RKFC!
Okay, boys.
I'm very sure that their supporters will be present.
So you all need to gather as many people as you can, too.
Folks at home, friends, neighbours, relatives… Everyone.
[Amaan] But sir…
Anyone who goes into the cantonment will be checked.
Then they will be checked.
[Sohail] We have nothing to hide.
I want our people to be there when we make history.
[Shirish] Absolutely.
Print flyers like you did earlier,
and get the boys to distribute them across the city.
Yes, Sir.
Okay, boys. See you tomorrow.
[Sohail] And be on time. It’s the last session.
[indistinct chatter]
Sohail, I feel that…
this club could work even without Douglas.
But without our people…
…this club is nothing.
It’s because of them that the club is real.
Honestly, I didn’t think they were gonna show.
But you should’ve seen the pillocks work today, like bats out of hell.
And Dilshad? Dilshad was pressing as well.
Cricket Boy was stuck in. It was lovely. Lovely.
I think you’ve really grown to love these boys.
And this club.
[Jennifer] I don’t think you want to leave.
I won’t lie to you… I mean, it’s not going to be…
it’s not going to be easy to leave.
But a promise is a promise. Aye? No more football.
[softly] Yeah, that’s it. That’s it.
[indistinct chatter]
What do you think? Will the boys pull off the Gegenpress?
Considering our strength is defence…
Look, offence is the best defence.
That's Douglas' line.
-Tell me what you think. -Really?
Douglas' line?
I taught him that line.
[Douglas] Top of the morning, gents.
Whatcha doing standing around?
Aren’t you supposed to leave today?
Ah, I’m not going to let you go into battle without me.
Let’s go. Big day tomorrow.
What about your flight?
Oh, I moved it.
And Jen?
She’s on her way to the airport.
And she’s okay with that?
Ah, she knows who she married.
Don’t you have better things to do?
Come on, let’s get down to business.
Eh?
I'm gonna miss him a lot.
Me, too.
[cicadas chirping]
Azra…
I've decided to play for our city's team.
There's a match tomorrow.
If you come, it would be very motivating for me.
[RJ Shamaa] Good morning, my friends!
I’m your host and friend, RJ Shamaa, from Jhelum FM.
And today’s a special day.
Nazir Dar’s Kashmir Youth Group’s rally
is slated to draw crowds from across the city.
Will he make his much-awaited announcement today?
Meanwhile, our city’s Real Kashmir Football Club
…is clashing today at the cantonment ground
with the defending champions of the Competition Cup, Valour Vanguards.
Watching the battle unfold on the football field will be truly thrilling.
For this young team, it will be their biggest test yet.
[Nighat] Got anything good?
Yes, but we should leave.
Nazir sir’s rally will start in 15 minutes.
[man 1] Do you think our boys can hold their ground at the cantt today?
[man 2] It’ll be tough, brother.
Their team is really strong, but RKFC has one of our own from downtown.
Change of plans. Let’s go.
[man 1] We'll support them with all we've got!
Salmaan.
You should have checked.
Is this a joke?
Today was supposed to be an important day.
And this?
This is how I'm supposed to announce my candidacy?
Where are the people you were supposed to gather?
Bro, check the time. We should leave for the cantonment ground now.
Uncle, does this bus go to the cantonment?
Yes
-Brother, going to the cantonment? -Yes, Please sit.
[Salmaan] RKFC’s match is at the cantt…
Two tickets to the cantt, please.
[Salmaan] …everyone’s gone there.
[indistinct chatter]
[Shirish] You all have worked very hard.
And that effort deserves to end in victory.
[Shirish] However, I believe that by being here,
you have already achieved a big victory.
A victory over everything that held you back, a victory over your fears.
We won’t fail. And we won’t let our people down.
[Shirish] Best of luck.
“Football club?”
"What will you achieve by starting a football club in Kashmir?"
The people asking this question could never understand that this club
was never just about football.
[Sohail] This club is about two things.
Hope…
and respect.
Of which Kashmir is deserving.
So go and play for Kashmir.
For that dream that unites us all.
For RKFC.
Come on.
[all] RKFC!
[Mustafa] Come on, boys!
[Naved] Let's go, let's go!
[indistinct chatter]
-All the best. -Thank you.
[referee] All the best.
[crowd cheering]
[referee] Come on, boys. Come on.
[whistle blows]
[Rudra] Farooq, let's go!
[player 1] Stop the pass!
[player 2] Well done!
Watch the wings, Haafiz!
Come on!
[Rudra] High ball! Keeper!
Rudra!
-Oh! -Whoa!
[indistinct chatter]
Team up!
Move forward!
[Farooq] Naved, I'm open!
What’s that?
[Haafiz] Ref!
[Mustafa] Farooq!
[Mustafa] Back to your position, Farooq! Hurry up!
[indistinct chatter]
He’s offside, for fuck’s sake!
[Mustafa] Let him pass!
He was fucking offside!
Come on, boys!
[Shah] Attention on the game! Focus, boys!
[whistle blows]
[Shah] Boys, come on!
[Shah] Pass it here!
Naved, pass.
Well tried.
[Mustafa] Press, Akbar, press.
Block his passing lane.
[Douglas] Dilshad, close him down.
[mumbles] Press, press!
That’s how you fucking press!
[indistinct chatter]
[half-time whistle]
Do that again and you
-won’t be able to stand. -Ooh… I’m shaking with fear.
Farooq, let it be. Come on.
[Douglas] Alright, lads…
Clearly,
you’re not afraid of these guys, that’s good.
But now, you’ve got to bloody make them afraid of you!
Don’t give them any time on the ball.
You all are playing very well.
But let me handle that jerk, Coach.
-He will end up injuring someone. -[Mustafa] No, Farooq.
Play with a cool mind.
Let’s focus on our game and let's get them.
[indistinct chatter]
Did you have a good nap, old man?
[whistle blows]
[Douglas] Press lads, press! Win the ball back!
Good.
-[Dilshad] Watch out, Naved! -[Naved] Come on, Dilshad.
[Sohail] They can surely win, sir.
♪ For every challenge, I'm ready ♪
♪ God himself is my buddy… ♪
♪ No wound can weaken Your will to win… ♪
[indistinct chatter]
♪ You’re fire, you’re water; You’re the wind… ♪
♪ For every challenge, I'm ready… ♪
♪ God himself is my buddy… ♪
♪ No wound can weaken Your will to win… ♪
♪ You’re fire, you’re water; You’re the wind… ♪
What the hell is Farooq doing?
Let’s pull him out before he gets into trouble.
Ref! Substitution!
Sir! Ajaypal…
[whistle blows]
Haafiz!
You tell Farooq to sort that fucking idiot out or he’ll be answering to me later.
♪ You’re bullheaded Now toughen up, my friend… ♪
♪ Don’t stop; Don't quit till this war ends… ♪
-♪ Claim your rights; don’t apologise… ♪ -Rudra!
♪ Above every fear you must rise… ♪
[Azlan] Take it away, Naved!
♪ For every challenge, I'm ready… ♪
Shah!
♪ God himself is my buddy… ♪
Back to me!
♪ No wound can weaken Your will to win… ♪
♪ You’re fire, you’re water… ♪
[Vanguard player] Hurry up, we're almost out of time.
[whistle blows]
[Vanguard player 2] Keeper is out! Take the shot!
[Shah] Rudra!
[RKFC player] Get it, Rudra!
[full-time whistle]
[cheering]
♪ For every challenge, I'm ready… ♪
♪ God himself is my buddy… ♪
♪ No wound can weaken Your will to win… ♪
♪ You’re fire, you’re water; You’re the wind… ♪
I need you to sign this, sir.
Mind if I use the washroom first?
You can go after, please just do this. I’ll be grateful.
Congratulations, sir.
Well won, donkeys.
I couldn’t be fuckin’ prouder of each and every one of you.
You’ve got the fire in your bellies
and mark my words, you keep that fire burnin’…
…this is going to be the greatest club in India!
[Douglas] All right, one-two-three…
[all] RKFC!
[Nighat] Sohail just doesn’t stop, right?
You’ve worked with him. You would know.
[Shirish] Douglas…
Thank you so much.
[Douglas] It’s my pleasure.
-You did it. -We did it.
-Thank you so much. -Ah, please…
You guys are the dog’s bollocks.
But you really are. Thank you for the opportunity.
I’m going to be rootin’ for you, always.
Alright?
♪ For every challenge, I'm ready… ♪
♪ God himself is my buddy… ♪
♪ No wound can weaken Your will to win… ♪
♪ You’re fire, you’re water; You’re the wind… ♪
-♪ You’re fire, you’re water ♪ -We won!
♪ You’re the wind… ♪
Did you have fun?
Ghazal…
Thank you.
Without you, all this--
Oh, sir…
Well, Shirish…
Your boys played spectacularly.
My men said you train in some scrapyard?
Why don't you train here?
Your boys are most welcome.
Sir, thank you so much for your offer but…
…that scrapyard is our home now.
Hard luck. Thank you so much.
Home?
Kashmir is home.
[Shirish sighs]
[Shirish] So when does the B-League start?
Next month.
Then we have a lot of work to do.
See you at training tomorrow.
[theme music starts]
[theme music ends]
[bouncy, upbeat music plays]
[bouncy, upbeat music ends]
[melancholic music plays]
[melancholic music ends]