Shot across India, Pakistan, the UAE, Australia, and the UK, this series explores the legendary cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan. But it goes beyond the matches, delving into the shared history, politics, and deep-rooted passion for the sport that unites and divides these two nations.
At the heart of the story is the unforgettable Friendship Tour of 2004 – India’s first bilateral series in Pakistan in 15 years, following the tensions of the Kargil War in 1999. Security concerns and fears over fan clashes loomed large, but what unfolded was an extraordinary celebration of cricket and camaraderie. Against the backdrop of packed stadiums and roaring crowds, the tour became a symbol of hope, proving that sport could bridge divides. On the field, it was a battle of heavyweights—India’s star-studded batting lineup of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid faced off against Pakistan’s formidable forces, led by captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, the fiery Shoaib Akhtar, and the elegant Yousuf Youhana.
The series struck a chord far beyond cricket. It debuted at No.1 on Netflix in the region – an exceptional feat for a sports documentary – underscoring the unparalleled passion that makes this rivalry one of the most captivating in the world.
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for all of the incredible work you and the team have put into the Mark Hughes film…. It’s a brilliant piece of work. You should be proud of what you’ve created, it’s a fantastic reflection of the man and the production team behind it.
What Stewart delivered totally blew me away. He created a set of films that brought to life the Energy Within in the most powerful and emotive way. The results have been phenomenal. Over 20 million online views… seeing the impact the films have on people who see them and how they inspire, made the project very special.
Stewart’s direction infused the
pieces with such passion and emotion. The Energy Within films are some
of the best I have produced in over 30 year of my long
career – and Stewart is one of the best Directors I have worked with.
He is organised, focussed, truly creative and visionary, whilst being
calm and pleasant – a real joy to work with.
It’s always a pleasure working with Stewart. Having worked with him on five different projects, Stewart consistently achieves a well crafted film, with a particular focus on achieving beautiful visuals to accompany great storytelling.
Stew is not only an exceptional visual director and storyteller brimming with original ideas, but he is also a problem solver that pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved to create something really special each time. Stew also has the experience and presence to direct ambitious productions with large crews and A-list talent. He is great with our clients, and his blend of confidence and friendliness on set creates a productive calm atmosphere, which is particularly valued in challenging situations. Stew will pour his passion for film-making into every job, from small scale to major productions and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him over the last 10 years.
Stewart directed Channel 4’s ‘Dare to Believe’ Paralympic shorts, sponsored by Allianz. His creativity, skill and passion for Paralympic sport were evident from the very first pitch meeting. The final films were all beautiful and gave a brilliant insight into the personality of each of the 7 athletes featured.
I have worked with Stewart on three major campaigns. Stewart has the incredible skill of quickly obtaining the trust of the films subjects, creating a relaxed and informal tone. He creates real emotion, warmth and subtle humour. Stewart always delivers, an incredible storyteller and an absolute joy to work with.
Stewart was commissioned by Channel 4’s London 2012 Paralympics team… Stewart took this concept and with his extraordinary visual awareness and artistic flair created something simply stunning that we are incredibly proud of.
