Stand By - 2011

Story

Standy is the story of Rahul Narvekar and Shekhar Verma, thick friends who are football players from Maharashtra. They share a common passion, Football but they are from entirely contrasting backgrounds. It is their heart?s desire to represent India one day on the international stage. They get a golden opportunity to fulfill their dream when Maharashtra wins the prestigious Santosh trophy after more than a decade.

But things take an ugly turn as Shekhar, the son of an influential industrialist, JP Verma and the captain of Maharashtra team is not selected in the Indian Football team. The selection committee chairman, Shrivastav, who is under the influence of JP Verma and the Federation President selects Shekhar as a standby striker with a hope of getting him in the team by removing one of the four strikers originally selected.

What follows is a dirty game of cheap politics that has marred our sports administration for years and never allowed the sport to develop thereby ruining lives of young and talented sportsmen and the lovely sport of football in our country.

The story is about two friends whose only passion is football and how their lives change as this beautiful game turns ugly and the fate of footballers is no longer decided on the ground.
The film delves deep to explore facets of human relationships- What happens when one man?s passion becomes the other man?s obsession? It?s a A tale of friendship?passion?glory?betrayal?revenge?.when merit is suppressed there has to be an obvious backlash which tears apart the social fabric.

Football which is celebrated world over as the most beautiful game has a dismal story to tell in our country. Here it has been dirtied, sullied and made ugly by a few individuals for their own gains and lofty egos. Thus, leading to the destruction of the sport, sportsmanship and the lives of sportsmen. We have tried to put forth a basic moot point- Football is not just a sport, it?s a passion, it?s a way of life so play it with pride & honor, with heart & honesty, with skill & beauty.