No terrorists in my film about Pakistanis, says Jemima

The premiere of “What’s love got to do with it” at Toronto International Film Festival 2022 was held where the whole cast of the film was unveiled.

Jemima Goldsmith, the ex-wife of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, spent 10 years of her life in Pakistan. She claimed that the characters in the movie may be based on her own experiences and that her sons are half-Pakistanis.

While talking to the interviewer, she said, “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 or fundamentalists, or in a backward, un aspirational 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. If anything, I would say that the Emma Thompson character Cath, really looks up to and tries to emulate the Pakistani family living 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.

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