FIFA+ unveils India’s first documentary, Maitanam, an ode to Kerala’s love of football

FIFA announced on Sunday the launch of the sports documentary Maitanam for the new FIFA+ digital streaming platform in India. Maitanam joins an elite roster of global sports storytelling content as part of selected FIFA+ Originals made available worldwide.

The 40-minute love letter to the game, Maitanam, features six inspiring and vivid stories from the Indian state of Kerala where football is a way of life. The documentary film is now streaming worldwide on FIFA+.

Maitanam, the Malayalam word which literally means ‘ground’ or by extension stadium, is a loving ode to Kerala’s passion and attempts to capture the Malayali passion for sport, as well as its ubiquity in the state of Kerala.

From the state capital Thiruvananthapuram in the far south to the commercial capital Kochi and the cultural capital Thrissur, the documentary covers various terrains, encountering priests who play barefoot, a women’s team making waves in competitions at abroad, little girls who train with nonagenarians; and a fascinating football commentator whose passion for the game shows in every laughter and anecdote about the game of football in the state of Kerala.

Andrew Whitelaw, Editor and Head of APAC Content at FIFA+, said in a prepared statement: “We are pleased to partner with RISE Worldwide as we enter the Indian market with Maitanam, a football docu-film set in the football-loving state of Kerala. The FIFA+ Originals reach out to millions of sports fans across the globe. These films offer unique insights into how football is played across geographies. and the cultures and place the game commands in the hearts of fans.

With this documentary, RISE Worldwide sheds light on the “beautiful game” as it is played in India.

James Rego, Head of Broadcast and Production at RISE Worldwide, said: “We are grateful to FIFA for extending this opportunity to show the passion for football in parts of India. We are humbled and privileged to do show the world the extraordinary grip football has on the pitches and fairways of Kerala in our documentary. We are very pleased to partner with FIFA+ and look forward to showcasing our production expertise as we connect with billions of football fans across the globe. Maitanam, filmed with state-of-the-art equipment by our world-class creative team, marks India’s first step into multilingual indigenous football storytelling.”

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