The entire cast of “What’s love got to do with it” was introduced at the Toronto International Film Festival 2022’s premiere.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, lived there for ten years of her life. She asserted that her sons are half-Pakistanis and that the characters in the film may be based on her own experiences.
“A very common complaint I heard when I was living in Pakistan is that films in the west only show Pakistanis as terrorists, suicide bombers, fundamentalists, or in a backward, unaspirational way, and that’s why it was really important to cast the beautiful Shabana and a completely different type of story, of a second generation British Pakistani family,” the interviewee said. If anything, I would say that Cath, played by Emma Thompson, greatly admires and tries to be like the Pakistani family that lives next door.
Also, “And there are definitely no terrorists in this film!” she emphasized.
No terrorists in our film about Pakistanis. So tired of that narrative 🇵🇰💚@Iamsajalali pic.twitter.com/I94K3eibUc
— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) September 13, 2022
Khan further mentioned, “It’s Not Directly Based on My Life, but I’ve met all the characters in the film, one way or another”.
“It’s my take on having seen some successful arranged marriages and having some preconceived ideas about what they might be like. Seeing some that were incredibly happy including, even in the younger generation.” She added.
What Does Love Have To Do With It? Its main theme is arranged marriage, a subject that is deeply established in our culture. This discourse can now be reframed as a romcom with some memorable scenes inserted to make it more appealing to western tastes and undoubtedly inspire some smiles. Even those who are completely opposed to the notion could start to consider it after all.
