JioHotstar to stream Land of Football, celebrating Kerala’s football passion

MUMBAI: In Kerala, football isn’t just played. It’s lived. JioHotstar will premiere the Hotstar Specials documentary Land of Football on July 10, shining a spotlight on the state’s enduring football culture and the passion that has made it one of India’s strongest footballing heartlands.

Presented in association with Kerala Tourism, the documentary explores how football has become deeply woven into Kerala’s social and cultural fabric, portraying the sport as more than a game for millions of fans across the state.

The documentary revisits one of the defining moments of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, when thousands of Malayali supporters wearing jerseys of different national teams filled the streets of Doha. While some international media outlets described them as “fake fans”, the film argues that the spectacle reflected Kerala’s authentic and long-standing football culture, where support for the sport often transcends national allegiances.

Produced by Brown Crew Productions, the project is backed by producers Waseem Haider and Anamay Prakash, and directed by Haseef Hakeem. The screenplay and dialogues have been written by Jushna Shaheen.

The documentary features cinematography by Nanda Kishore and Darshan, editing by Tamjee Taha and an original score composed by Jai Unnithan, bringing together the stories, emotions and traditions that have shaped Kerala’s unique football identity.

Streaming from July 10 on JioHotstar, Land of Football seeks to capture the spirit of a state where every kick, cheer and jersey tells a story, celebrating a football culture that continues to resonate far beyond India’s shores.