"Sometimes I Have to Remind Myself This Is Real”: Pulwama-Born Afnan Fazli on his new show Real Kashmir FC

Mumbai News : Actor Afnan Fazli, who plays Dilshad in Sony LIV's Real Kashmir FC, a web show inspired by a true story has opened up about his journey into the series, the emotional depth of the character, and why the project holds deep personal significance for him. The web series stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Manav Kaul, Anmol Dhillon Thakeria, Afnan Fazli and more. 

Afnan's audition process for this role spanned six to seven rounds, with the show originally scheduled to go on floors a year earlier. Production was delayed following the sudden passing of Sandeep Chattoo, a real-life Kashmiri Pandit and a key inspiration behind the story, leading to the project being shelved for nearly a year. 

Despite the delay, Afnan had already been locked for the role. Due to the show’s international collaboration, the initial audition rounds were conducted in English. Afnan shared, “Creative producer Killian Kervin was part of the process, which is why the first two rounds were in English. At the time, I was studying at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. After multiple shortlists, Afnan was called for a Zoom meeting with showrunner Mahesh and the producers. “Mahesh asked me how I saw Dilshad. I told him that, in many ways, every child in Kashmir is Dilshad—someone forced to grow up too early and carry responsibilities beyond their age,” Afnan recalled being a Kashmiri himself.

Coming from Pulwama, Kashmir, Afnan says dreaming big itself felt like an act of courage. “Even today, I sometimes pause and remind myself that this is real—that I’m living the life I once only imagined. I could also understand  Dilshad’s struggle between football and family deeply. He’s still a kid, but the absence of his father makes him shoulder everything. He’s willing to give up the one thing he loves because duty comes first,” Afnan said.

After reading the script under confidentiality, he was convinced, he said,  “It felt like one of the most honest and sensitive portrayals of Kashmir I’ve seen. I remember thinking that even if this was the only project I ever did, it would still fulfill me as an artist.”

Reflecting on the shoot, Afnan described the experience as transformative. “Acting sharpens your emotional awareness. I learned immensely from my co-actors, the directors, and the environment on set. My on-screen family felt completely real- even my real mother believed we were an actual family.”  

Real Kashmi FC is currently streaming live on Sony Liv and is an 8 episodic series.