Hospitality, Gulab Jamuns and truck art: Jemima reveals what she misses most about Pakistan

The stage is set as a timid Maymouna walks in and is seated beside Kazim at the couple's Mehendi ceremony. As if from a scene right out of any quintessential Pakistani wedding festivity, two women approach the bride and try articulately positing her elaborate lehenga. Sajal Aly as Maymouna is breathtaking and Shehzad Latif's Kazim can't take his eyes off of her.

An elderly woman complains about aforementioned women wearing rather 'alluring' outfits – a sequence we've all witnessed at one too many shaadis. "Do they have no shame? I want to leave!" the elderly woman, Kazim's nani Jaan, says disgustedly. Maymouna, indifferent to the ongoing outburst of nani jaan, goes on to introduce a bevy of cousins to her yet-to-be husband as the man, completely clueless, acknowledges them.

And just like that, the scene moves to a desi dance number. Only a few international projects have gotten attention to detail about a Pakistani wedding right to the T. For this, Jemima Goldsmith's What's Love Got To Do With It? has already scored brownie points.

"I think one thing that sums up the film's spirit is the music," Jemima tells The Express Tribune in a Zoom interview. "So, we have a wedding song sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who is like a hero of mine! He also appears in the film as himself."

The song, Mahi Sona, was produced by a British Pakistani musician, Naughty Boy and a British Indian composer, Nitin Soni. The idea, Jemima says, was to bring together artists from all corners of the world. And the same reflects in her cast. "For me, the mixture and collaboration of these talents was the beauty of this film," she added.

"One of the highlights was bringing Rahat into the mixture." But this wasn't the first time Jemima met the O Re Piya crooner. The award-winning singer had performed with his maestro uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, at Jemima's Valima with her former husband, Imran Khan, all those years back. "I also had been on tour with Nusrat and Rahat many times for the fundraisers for Shaukat Khanum. We had travelled to the US for the same," Jemima continues.

She adds that during these tours, she had really understood qawwali and became fond of classical music. "We also used to have Abida Parveen onboard, so that helped a lot. Working with this amazing talent on the film was really special for me. It was a real privilege to have everyone who worked in this film in one place."

The film was shot during the peak Covid era and Jemima adds how taking precautions was one of the most essential elements when the shooting was underway. With a big set, she implies, the safety of everyone was of utmost importance to her. "Everyone had to be very disciplined. It was an amazing atmosphere when we were all working together," Jemima recalls. She goes on to speak about working with Indian and Pakistani artists in a single project. "There was amazing camaraderie and solidarity. Everyone got along so well."

Why Sajal Aly?

When I ask her why she thought Sajal was the perfect match for Maymouna, Jemima carefully responds, "Because she's a perfect match for Lily James." The producer elaborates, "You must understand, Maymouna and Zoe are supposed to be equally matched in the film. So, Kazim (Latif) will have his head turned by Maymouna because she is so beautiful and engaging."

Reaction to the film

Ahead of its release in Pakistan, Jemima's film received ample praise in Toronto and London, where it was previously premiered. "The amazing thing to me has been the British Asian response to our film," she asserts. "That has been the most heartwarming and touching thing in the whole process. It's been cathartic to see them relate to the film and enjoy it. That was my intention. I wasn't sure if it would work," Jemima chuckles as she adds, "Now, all I have to worry about are Pakistanis! I hope they like it too. I hope they think we've done a good job showing the country in its best light."

'Is there a festival going on?'

The British author also reminisces that she first set foot in Pakistan decades ago. "What struck me were the trucks!" she laughs. "So, when I came out, I thought a festival was happening. I couldn't believe that every single lorry would be painted so exquisitely! I kept asking, 'Where's the festival? Is there a carnival? What's going on?' And I remember people were laughing at me." Jemima recollects being told about how this is what a traditional public vehicle looks like in Pakistan. "Every single bus, van and truck is painted like this with pride. Then I became a bit obsessed with truck art. Being so very surprised with the art was one thing still etched in my mind about Pakistan."

Jemima reveals truck 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 rikshaw in one of the scenes," she says, adding how it became quite a challenge. "I was desperately calling anyone I could think of, I was putting out messages on Twitter if anyone has it, we called Pakistani restaurants, thinking maybe we'd find one there. Well, luckily, we did find it. But it was a task." Jemima concludes our chat with two things she desperately misses about Pakistan. "The hospitality and Gulab Jamuns!"

Her maiden production is releasing across Pakistan today and is distributed by HKC entertainment, headed by Hammad Chaudhary. What's Love Got To Do With It? stars Latif, Emma Thompson, James, Aly and Shabana Azmi in pivotal roles and revolves around the arranged marriage culture in South Asian households.