Movies
Kicking Up Change as Rajasthan’s Girls Score Big in Pocket FM Story
MUMBAI: They didn’t wait for the world to hand them a playground, they built their own field of dreams. As the world gears up to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, audio series platform Pocket FM is shining the spotlight on Rajasthan’s young footballers who are rewriting the rules of courage, one goal at a time.
The latest chapter of Pocket FM’s acclaimed brand series, Sound of Courage, tells the stirring story of girls from rural Rajasthan who quite literally kicked their way through patriarchy. Created in collaboration with the Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti (MJAS), the short film captures how a few determined girls turned a barren patch of land into their football ground and in doing so, reclaimed their right to freedom, expression, and dreams.
For generations, their mothers and grandmothers had known a world limited by early marriage, household chores, and little to no education. Football, for them, wasn’t just a game, it was rebellion dressed in cleats. What began as a handful of girls dribbling against social constraints soon evolved into a local movement that got the entire community cheering.
“Football gave us permission to dream,” says 17-year-old Maina Choudhary, one of the young players featured in the film. “When we play, nobody tells us who we can or cannot be.”
The results of this small revolution have been nothing short of extraordinary. There’s been a visible drop in child marriages, more girls continuing their education, and parents who once disapproved now cheering from the sidelines. A few players have even gone on to represent their district at the state level proof that empowerment can start with something as simple as a football.
“In today’s world, it’s easy to get lost in the noise,” said Pocket Entertainment SVP for brands Vineet Singh. “With Sound of Courage, we want to bring forward unique and unheard stories across the world that lift our spirits and remind us what courage truly looks like. The story of these Rajasthan girls reminds us that real change begins quietly when people are given a voice, a chance, and the space to dream.”
This Rajasthan chapter follows Sound of Courage’s earlier feature on India’s Women’s Ice Hockey Team, expanding the campaign’s narrative from national-level heroes to grassroots changemakers. Both stories stand as testament to Pocket FM’s belief that courage doesn’t always roar sometimes, it takes the shape of a quiet kick on dusty ground.
Conceptualised by Pocket Entertainment’s in-house creative team and produced with Colonial Films, the film is as visually stirring as it is emotionally grounded. It paints courage not as a grand declaration but as a daily act of girls who refused to be told what they couldn’t do, and in the process, taught an entire community what they could.
From a rough patch of land to a field of hope, Rajasthan’s football girls have shown that dreams don’t just need wings sometimes, all they need is a good pair of boots.
Movies
Tamil film Made in Korea tops Netflix global chart, storms 24 countries
Cross-cultural drama races to No.1, marking a global breakthrough for South Indian cinema
MUMBAI: A Tamil tale has gone global at speed. Netflix’s Made in Korea has shot to No.1 on its Global Top 10 Non-English Films list, trending across 24 countries within days of release.
Premiering on March 12, the film, directed by Ra.Karthik and starring Priyanka Mohan, is the only South Indian title to claim the top spot across both licensed and Netflix original films, underlining the growing global pull of regional Indian cinema.
The story, which follows Shenba’s journey from Tamil Nadu to Seoul, has struck a chord for its emotional warmth, scenic visuals and cross-cultural appeal. Early word-of-mouth has powered its rapid climb, turning a modest release into a global talking point.
Monika Shergill, vice-president, content, Netflix India, said, “We are proud that a story like Made in Korea has become the first ever film from our south slate to land at the No.1 spot on our Global Top 10 Non-English Films list. It reaffirms our belief that there is so much more from India for the world to discover and embrace. This film stands out for blending two distinct cultures into one powerful story that explores universal emotions of love, friendship, belonging and family. At Netflix, we remain committed to championing authentic, locally rooted stories and it’s incredibly exciting to see a film like this travel so widely and connect with audiences around the world.”
Priyanka Mohan called the moment deeply personal. “Moments like these are what every artist truly hopes for. We always strive to give our best, but some films become very special in our journey as performers, and Made in Korea is one of them for me. Shenba is a character that touched my heart from the moment I read the script, and bringing her story to life has been incredibly meaningful. Working with Ra.Karthik sir was a wonderful experience. He has such clarity and sincerity in the way he tells stories. I’m also grateful to our producer Sreenidhi Sagar sir and the entire team for their constant support. And of course, my heartfelt thanks to Netflix for giving this story such a wonderful platform and helping it reach audiences everywhere.”
Ra.Karthik struck a similar note. “There are certain films you make with complete faith in the audience, believing they will connect with the emotions you are trying to convey. It is truly heartening to see Made in Korea trending on Netflix and receiving such encouraging responses from viewers, not just in India but across the world. Priyanka Mohan brought incredible dedication and sincerity to Shenba’s character, and that commitment reflects beautifully on screen. I’m grateful to producer Sreenidhi Sagar for trusting this story and to Netflix for providing such a wonderful platform for the film to reach audiences across countries.”
As the film continues to travel across borders, its success signals more than just a hit. It marks a shift, where local stories, told with authenticity, are no longer confined by language or geography. In the streaming wars, the South is not just rising. It is rewriting the script.
