Shekhar Kapur movie offers new insight into arranged marriages

‘What’s Love Got to Do With it,’ starring Shabana Azmi releases across the US on May 5

Ask any South Asian about their experiences in the West and chances are they would have at least one tale to relate on how their western friends or acquaintances asked them about the concept of arranged marriages. A classic South Asian phenomenon, marriages arranged with the help of families have always intrigued even confused those born and brought up in the West.

So, while Shekhar Kapur directed, upcoming movie ‘What’s Love Got to Do With it,’ on the surface looks to harp on the same oft-repeated concept; it does look that the movie may offer an interesting take on this quintessential desi trend.

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For starters, the promos call the concept assisted marriage, which in itself is an interesting, even a more accurate description of marriages often taking place with the recommendations coming from parents, relatives and well even a well-meaning aunt, uncle or a neighbor!

The movie, with its Hollywood as well as Indian and Pakistani cast and crew also perhaps effectively sums up how the trend is unifier for anyone coming from the subcontinent.

Primetime Emmy Award nominee Lily James plays Zoe, a documentary filmmaker who is getting exhausted using dating apps that end up connecting her with a string of Mr Wrongs. British actor Shazad Latif of Star Trek: Discovery fame, on the other hand, plays Kaz who seems content following his parents lead and goes for an arranged marriage.

With Shabana Azmi playing the Pakistani mom and BAFTA winner Emma Thompson the cast looks positively promising. The film also stars Pakistani actor Sajal Aly and also has a cameo from Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan playing well…himself!

The trailer shows the male lead Kaz telling his childhood English friend Zoe that he will be getting married to a girl chosen by his family in an assisted marriage as they call it these days.

An interesting take, but it’s yet to be seen how the film carries forward the thought. The cross-cultural comedy looks to have all the elements of a convincing portrayal of east meets west upbringing.

Read: What’s love got to do with it? Review: Dissecting the good, bad and ugly of arranged marriages in Shekhar Kapur’s rom-com (March 15, 2023)

The film has already won some accolades since premiering at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. It also won the Best Comedy at the 2022 Rome Film Festival.

The film features an original song by Naughty Boy called “Mahi Sona (The Wedding Song)” with a special vocal performance from star Lily James. Kanika Kapoor and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan are also featured on the soundtrack.

‘What’s Love Got to Do With it,’ starring Shabana Azmi releases across the US on May 5

The film just released its new trailer and poster.