Speaking about her new film, What’s Love Got To Do With It, the ex-wife of Imran Khan stated that arranged weddings are more prevalent than one may assume and that she would have “benefited” from being “introduced to acceptable prospects.”
Jemima Khan, a filmmaker, told that she would have benefited from being “introduced to good individuals” for marriage and that Princess Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles was “basically arranged.”
Khan’s new film What’s Love Got To Do With It is her version of “rom-com Pakistan” – inspired by incidents from her own life during her decade-long marriage to ex-husband and former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan.
The film focuses on the protagonist Zoe, a filmmaker portrayed by Lily James, as she navigates the modern dating scene, while her childhood friend and neighbor Kazim (Shazad Latif) chases an arranged marriage with a Pakistani bride.
The report examines “the advantages and disadvantages of both systems” of dating, including “whether there is too much choice with apps” or “too little choice with planned marriage.”
The film was inspired in part by Jemima Khan’s friendship with Princess Diana.
The producer, who was the daughter of billionaire Sir James Goldsmith and the sister of Conservative peer and government minister Zac Goldsmith, maintained a strong association with Princess Diana, who visited her twice in Pakistan.
This union, Khan explained, demonstrated how widespread this kind of marriage was throughout cultures.
Khan, referring to King Charles and Princess Diana, stated: “Their union was essentially predetermined”.
It used to occur in our country, even with the Royal Family.
The majority of marriages in the world, even in the present day, are arranged. If one considers the worldwide population as a whole.
It wasn’t so long ago that it was the standard in the United Kingdom.
Khan’s video seeks to clarify the illusions surrounding arranged marriages, which she claims are frequently categorized into a “love marriage is good, arranged marriage is evil” dichotomy.
Khan stated, “It is a serious problem because arranged marriage is frequently confused with forced marriage.”
Before arriving in Pakistan, she had “quite a common, rather unfavorable view of arranged marriage and its place in the modern world.”
However, after moving at age 21 and witnessing arranged marriages “up close,” she changed her views.
Khan claims she witnessed “extremely successful and happy arranged weddings,” but to her astonishment. She did not observe the same narrative in popular culture.
Diana’s marriage to Charles was “basically orchestrated” in her debut film
Therefore, her debut feature picture is an “outside of grim politics, a Pakistani celebration. The bright, colorful, inviting, and amusing place I know is a part of Pakistani culture “She stated.
Khan said the film’s decade-long production made her think about her life and choices.
“As I get older, I see that if my parents had been able to agree – and were functioning and competent at these things. I would have benefited greatly from being presented to suitable prospects.”
The 49-year-old actress described this as “assisted marriage,” the “new incarnation” of arranged marriage she and Kazim investigate.
Khan argues that this is essentially an introduction to a suitable person, after which the couple decides.
Implicitly and clearly, the film confronts the “true issue” of Islamophobia in film and television.
Khan told that it is uncommon to see “Muslims as the good guys” on television.
“It is usually Pakistanis who are terrorists, suicide bombers, or extremists”.
There’s that certain line (in the film)… We must depart the airport… We must depart early because I need time to be selected at random.
“Sulaiman and Kasim Khan have Pakistani names that have not been Anglicized, so when we travel with them. Since they are stopped and questioned more than me, we must leave extra time between plane connections, especially to the US.
“In America, where they are far more accustomed to Muslims portraying the evil guys. It is difficult to produce a film in which Muslims play the good men. I believe Islamophobia is a real problem. I believe it is just as significant as racism.”
The film is Khan’s respect for a culture – and its people – who raised her, she adds.
