Shabana Azmi says she has done a lot of Pakistani mothers in British films and television and they are always in the ‘terrorist victim' mother bracket
Shabana Azmi with Emma Thompson in 'What's Love Got To Do With It?'
Bringing the everlasting grace of Shabana Azmi to your screens, Lionsgate Play is set to digitally premiere What's Love Got To Do With It? on November 10. It is helmed by the brilliant Shekhar Kapur and stars an ensemble cast including Lily James, Sajjal Ali, Emma Thompson and Shazad Latif.
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This family romance drama follows Zoe (Lily James) as she learns about the nuances of arranged marriages while documenting her best friend’s wedding. When families from two vastly different cultures come together for their respective children, Zoe sees the power of love and understanding as it impacts her own love life and changes her perspective on marriage.
Talking about what attracted her to the film, Shabana Azmi said, “For me, it was very interesting because I have done a lot of Pakistani mothers in British films and television and they are always, you know, in the ‘terrorist victim mother' bracket. So something that was funny and lovely was, of course, ‘the great departure’ (from the typecast). I love the script. I've really enjoyed the script. And I read it several times. I thought it was very clever, it was very funny... it was very witty."
She further elaborated, saying, “And like Emma and I were talking about it. We said it's so important in today's world, where everything seems to be so somber and so dark, to get something which is light and makes you feel good. Because what I like about the script is, it doesn't take sides, it doesn't say that the Asians are better than the British or the British - the English are better than them. And it places at its centre, an Asian family, who you see out of the stereotypes that you've seen, I think that is important. So, for me, it was lovely."
Azmi has earlier starred in British projects like Banglatown Banquet (2006), The Good Karma Hospital and Next of Kin (2018).
Helmed by Shekhar Kapur, What's Love Got To Do With It? is set to premiere on Lionsgate Play on November 10. The official synopsis of the film reads: In London, an award-winning filmmaker documents her best friend's journey into an assisted marriage in line with his family's Pakistani heritage. In the process, she challenges her own attitude towards relationships.
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