Sajal Aly’s much-talked-about upcoming international film What’s Love Got to Do With It? just had a premiere at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) and everyone started pouring in love as soon as the pictures started circulating on social media.
The trailer of the film was revealed a few days before the premiere and received an overwhelming response from the media and film lovers alike. Written and co-produced by Jemima Khan, ex-wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, What’s Love Got to Do With It? is a cross-cultural British rom-com. The film follows documentary-maker and dating app addict Zoe (Lily James), for whom swiping right has only delivered an endless stream of Mr. Wrongs. Her childhood friend and neighbour Kaz (Shazad Latif) is planning to settle through an arranged marriag with Maymouna (Sajal Aly). The film is scheduled to release in the UK on 27th January, 2023.
Directed by veteran Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, the cast includes Emma Thompson, Shabana Azmi, Asim Chaudhry, Mim Shaikh, Jeff Mirza, Iman Boujelouah, Mariam Haque and Sindhu Vee amongst others.
Red carpet
Fans of Sajal are eagerly waiting to see her promote the film in Pakistan and eventually watch the film in local cinemas. However, her presence at an international film fest, along with her co-stars at the premiere was a delight and brings much joy and pride to the nation.
Sajal tried to add desi elements to her styling as she paired a black gharara and burgundy bangles to her gothic look. Though it didn’t make an impressive fashion statement, we are delighted to see a talented Pakistani star walk on the red carpet amongst international bigwigs.
The screening was attended by Jemima Khan, Shekhar Kapur, Shabana Azmi, Lily James, Sajal Aly, Asim Chaudhry amongst others. The male lead Shazad Latif was not present.
Take a look at the pictures:
Sajal Aly at the red carpet of TIFF
Team What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Sajal with director Shekhar Kapur
Sajal Aly with Imran Khan and Jemima ‘s sons Sulaiman Khan and Kasim Khan at TIFF
Lily James, Shabana Azmi & Sajal Aly
Sajal hugs her co-star Shabana Azmi
Sajal giving autographs to fans at TIFF
Asim Chaudhry with Sulaiman Khan and Kasim Khan
While speaking at the red carpet, Sajal shared that she believes “she is lucky, privileged and blessed” to be a part of this film. The actor also shared how she had to dance with “Emma” (Thompson) in a scene that all her fans are certainly looking forward to!
View this post on Instagram
Jemima Khan, who has written the film as well, shared her views on the film.
“I lived in Pakistan for 10 years between the ages of 20 and 30. I brought up my two sons there, we are half Pakistani and they are here with me today. It is not that story but it is definitely inspired by that. All the characters in the film are definitely people I’ve met along the way.”
“All the characters in the film are definitely people I’ve met along the way.”
Writer and producer @Jemima_Khan shares what inspired her to write the film at the World Premiere of WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? #TIFF22 pic.twitter.com/HDlsJTRgJM
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 10, 2022
The film is Jemima’s “Love Letter to my old friend Pakistan”.
“My intention was to write something that was a celebration of all things Pakistani, a love letter to my old friend Pakistan.” – @Jemima_Khan ❤️WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? is a total crowd-pleasing romcom. Laughing, crying & standing ovation. We used our tissues 😭#TIFF22 pic.twitter.com/4AjMBXLDt6
— She Does The City (@shedoesthecity) September 11, 2022
Shekhar Kapur shared his experience of directing the film.
“And then I read it and I realized that within that romantic comedy, there was something really deep. So, it became my job to get everybody together and dig deeper and deeper and deeper, and realize, ultimately, it is about us. Who are we that search for love, what is love, what’s intimacy? All those questions were embedded with in the romantic comedy.”
“I realized that within that romantic comedy, there was something really deep.”
Award—winning director @shekharkapur shares his experience directing WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? at #TIFF22. pic.twitter.com/mYQFo7PeNd
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 10, 2022
The Emmy–nominated actor Lily James discusses the different kinds of love explored in the film.
“Every single one of us on the planet, in one way or another, is searching for love. Whether it be in a partner or a family and we all get it right and we all get it wrong. We all are in this big mess and as Shekhar always said that my character is in a washing machine. So, I think we are all drawn to those stories…”
With love, from Lily James. ♥️
The Emmy–nominated actor discusses the different kinds of love explored within the World Premiere of @shekharkapur’s WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? #TIFF22. pic.twitter.com/xWwqZ7jCrU
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 10, 2022
Shabana Azmi explained What actually Love Got To DO With It?
“In today’s dark world, you have a film that talks about family, love, intimacy is an idea that should have come a long time ago. People think it is about the conflict between arranged or love marriages but that’s just the surface, inside it is all about the search for love and is there any formula for love? No, there isn’t. The film doesn’t take sides but it makes you search for an identity which is open to love,” she said.
🔴 #TIFF22 LIVE from the Red Carpet presented by @LOrealParisCAN | @shekharkapur’s WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? https://t.co/e9ITijH7eb
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 10, 2022
Not many know that Sajal was not well. The actor was suffering from dengue and nearly cancelled her trip to the festival. Shekhar Kapur revealed prior to the screening as he introduced Sajal.
so sajal had dengue and she was in hospital just a day before tiff ‘you have no idea what she had to get through’ my poor girl :((( still gave in all of her energy we truly are blessed w her and that’s just the intro she deserved!! #sajalaly #whatslovegottodowithit pic.twitter.com/rJ1wbDuEhX
— ` (@sajbaeby) September 11, 2022
Read: What’s Love Got To Do With It: A Funny & Heartwarming Cross-Cultural Rom-Com
And the verdict is OUT!
The Hollywood Reporter: A Pitch-Perfect Lily James Headlines a Vibrant Multicultural Rom-Com
“Although there have been previous rom-coms built around family-dictated “assisted” marriages versus the power of attraction, few have managed to so satisfyingly balance the laugh-out-loud funny with the romantic longing and sense of belonging so effectively captured in Kapur’s sensitive direction and Khan’s script.
But just because love may be blind, it doesn’t mean cultural and ethnic differences go unnoticed in contemporary society. It’s an observation Khan’s script doesn’t shy away from making on several occasions, including Kaz mentioning he wants to arrive at the airport early “so I can be randomly selected”.”
Biz Asia Live
“What’s Love Got To Do With It? could very easily have lost its way as a story in favour of the pretty amazing list of actors which are cast in it. It, however, does nothing of the sort. It gives a somewhat realistic view of interesting themes aside from arranged marriages such as inter-racial relationships, an intertwining of cultures as well as the cultural and generational differences of the same and different generations. The film manages to touch on all of these things and also gives the audience a feeling of real emotions and boundaries which still exist today even though one may feel that today’s generation “have it easier”, so to speak.”
The Arts Guild: What’s Love Got To Do With It? is romantic-comedy perfection
“And I kid you not. Jemima Khan’s story is perfection. The screenplay is a symphony of dialogue and interaction, blending together typical and common multifamily interactions with poignant, comedic comebacks. You are gifted with a family consisting of multiple-generations, but the dialogue captured both the stereotypical interactions one would expect but added a layer of complexity and comedy that helped us connect with each individual character on a different level.”
World Premiere of What’s Love Got To Do With It? at #TIFF22. Give them all Oscars. Tops any romcom I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen them all.) @Jemima_Khan @shekharkapur pic.twitter.com/q176Xr4VpF
— nadia gilani (@nadia_gilani) September 11, 2022
Saw #whatslovegottodowithit at #TIFF22 – quick thoughts:
– LOVE LOVE LOVE
– blunt truths
– family will surprise you
– soooo many great creatives behind it
– so heartfelt
– YES— vico @ TIFF (@victoria_organa) September 11, 2022
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?: Shekar Kapur tries his hand at a romcom and doesn’t disappoint. Shabana Azmi and Emma Thompson are absolute legends in this. This might be Lily James’ most relatable character yet! #TIFF22 #WhatsLoveGotToDoWithIt pic.twitter.com/wbAcfKJ6Lg
— Bhavna @ #TIFF22 (@TheLuckySharms) September 11, 2022
Watch the trailer here:
