Cinema VinesDirector Mahesh Mathai’s television series Real Kashmir Football Club has earned a nomination for the 54th International Emmy Awards in the Drama Series category, a milestone that has surprised the filmmaker himself. When Mathai first saw an Instagram post about the nomination, he laughed it off as a prank, but after making a series of calls he confirmed the news was true. The Bhopal Express‑born director, who also worked with Rajesh Mapuskar on several episodes, described the experience as a “magical journey” from the initial story pitch to securing the right talent.
The show’s lead actors, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub and Manav Kaul, joined Mathai in celebrating the honour. Producer Kilian Kerwin, who believed the series should reach international audiences from the outset, said the nomination confirms that “good content does get recognition.” He added that the series will now be accessible to viewers in the UK and the US through Sony’s platforms, positioning it alongside global hits such as Breaking Bad and other crime dramas.
When asked about a second season, Mathai explained that the story of the real Real Kashmir Football Club—its triumphs and setbacks—offers rich material for further fictional exploration. He noted that while the sequel will not strictly follow the real timeline, new ideas are already in development. However, he also mentioned that he is currently preparing a thriller series for Roshan Abbas’s production house, which will delay the start of filming for season two.
Born in Kerala and raised in Mumbai, Mathai has a diverse directing portfolio that includes the 2005 British film Broken Thread. He returned to filmmaking with Real Kashmir Football Club, a project that began under the guidance of club founders Sandeep Chattoo and Shamim Meraj, and later leaders Arshad Shawl and Samarth Chattoo, Sandeep’s son.
