Hospitality, gulab jamun and trick art: Jemima reveals what she misses most about Pakistan.
The stage is set when a timid Maimuna walks in and sits next to Kazim at the couple’s mehndi ceremony. As if from a scene right out of any Pakistani wedding festival, two women approach the bride and try on her elaborate lehenga. Sajal Ali as Maimoona is breathtaking and Shahzad Latif’s Kazim cannot take his eyes off her.
An old woman complains about the aforementioned ladies dressing ‘intriguingly’ – a pattern we’ve all witnessed at many a wedding. “Have they no shame? I want to go!” The old woman, Kazem’s grandmother Jan, says disgustedly. Maimuna, unfazed by Nani John’s ongoing turmoil, introduces one of her cousins’ wives to her yet-to-be husband as the man, completely unaware, acknowledges them.
And just like that, the scene cuts to a desi dance number. Only a few international projects have paid attention to detail about Pakistani marriage. Jemima Goldsmith’s What’s Love Got To Do With It already gets brownie points for that.
“I think one thing that encapsulates the spirit of the film is the music,” Jemima told The Express Tribune in a Zoom interview. “So, we have a wedding song sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who is like my hero! He also appears in the film himself.”
The song, Mahi Sona, was composed by Naughty Boys, a British Pakistani musician and Nitin Soni, a British Indian musician. Jemima says her aim was to bring together artists from all over the world. And the same is reflected in its cast. “For me, the combination and collaboration of these talents was the beauty of the film,” he added.
“One highlight was bringing comfort into the mix.” But this wasn’t the first time Jemima had met Ore Pia’s bully. The award-winning singer performed with her teacher uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at Jemima’s Walima alongside ex-husband Imran Khan. Jemima continues, “I also went on tour with Nusrat and Rahat several times to raise funds for Shaukat Khanum. We went to America for that.
She adds that it was during these visits that she truly understood Qawwali and fell in love with classical music. “We also had Abida Parveen on board, which helped a lot. It was really special for me to work with this amazing talent in the film. It was a real honor to have everyone working on this film in one place. was.”
The film was shot during the peak of Covid and Jemima added that taking precautions was one of the most important elements during the shoot. With a large set, she says, everyone’s safety was of utmost importance to her. “Everyone had to be very disciplined. It was an amazing environment when we were all working together,” recalls Jemima. She talks about working with Indian and Pakistani artists on the same project. “There was amazing camaraderie and solidarity. Everyone got along so well.”
Why Sajal Ali?
When I asked her why she thought Sajal was the perfect match for Maimuna, Jemima cautiously replied, “Because he’s the perfect match for Lily James.” The producer explained, “You must understand, Maimuna and Zoe are considered to be equally matched in the film. So Kazim (Latif)’s head will be turned towards Maimuna as she is very beautiful and charming.” ”
Before its release in Pakistan, Jemima’s film was well received in Toronto and London, where it premiered earlier. “What’s amazing to me is the British Asian response to our film,” she asserts. “It’s been the most touching and heartwarming thing in the whole process. It was heartwarming to see them relate to the film and enjoy it. That was my intention. I wasn’t sure it would work,” Jemima said with a laugh. , “Now, I only have to worry about Pakistanis! I hope they like it too. I hope they think we did a good job to show the country in its best light.” What is it.”
‘Is there a fair going on?’
The British writer also recalled that she first set foot in Pakistan decades ago. “I got hit by trucks!” she laughs. “So, when I came out, I thought there was a festival going on. I couldn’t believe that every single lorry would be so beautifully painted! I kept asking, ‘Where’s the festival? Is there a carnival?’ What is happening?’ And I remember people laughing at me.” Jemima recalls what a traditional public vehicle looks like in Pakistan. “Every single bus, van and truck is proudly painted like this. Then I became a bit obsessed with truck art. Being so amazed by this art is still an image of Pakistan in my mind.”
Jemima revealed that trick art was one of the many Pakistani elements she wanted to feature in her film. “We were shooting during Covid, and I wanted a truck art rickshaw in a scene,” s
He says how it became a challenge. “I was desperately calling anyone I could think of, I was sending messages on Twitter If anyone had, we called the Pakistani restaurant, thinking we might find someone there, luckily, we did. Work.” Jemima concludes our conversation with two things she misses most about Pakistan. “Hospitality and Gulab Jamin!”
His first production is releasing today across Pakistan and is distributed by HKC Entertainment, headed by Hamad Chaudhary. What does love have to do with it? It stars Latif, Emma Thompson, James, Ali and Shabana Azmi in pivotal roles and revolves around the culture of arranged marriages in South Asian households.
