Jemima Khan, a filmmaker and screenwriter, has shared her success as a matchmaker, revealing that she recently brought together two Pakistani friends who will soon be tying the knot.
Jemima spoke with Geo News at the UK premiere of her film “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” held at the Odeon Luxe cinema in London’s Leicester Square.
The event was attended by numerous celebrities and those involved in the film, including Sajal Ali, who flew from Pakistan to be there.
Jemima’s directorial debut, which she also produced, is based on her time in Pakistan, particularly in Zaman Park, Lahore, during her marriage to former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
جمائما خان نے رشتے کرانے کی ذمہ داریاں بھی سنھبال لیں pic.twitter.com/AcPZD23Ygs— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) February 14, 2023
The film’s protagonist, played by Lily James, is a filmmaker named Zoe, who explores modern dating while her neighbour and childhood friend Kazim (Shazad Latif) pursues an arranged marriage with a bride from Pakistan, played by Sajal Ali.
Jemima has been candid about arranged marriages in recent interviews, stating that they are relevant in today’s society as long as they are based on mutual consent and involve love and understanding.
She believes that the right person can be chosen for an individual by those who know and love them the most.
Jemima has embraced her new title as “Mo the matchmaker,” and claims to have become a “crazy megalomaniac” when it comes to arranging marriages.
Jemima is particularly concerned with how Lahore is portrayed in the film. She wanted to show the beautiful and colourful side of Pakistan that she remembers, instead of the dark and scary version typically depicted in Western media.
Jemima is grateful for the heartwarming and positive feedback she has received, particularly from her Pakistani and British Asian friends.
In a recent interview, Jemima revealed that she believes she would have “benefited” from being introduced to suitable candidates for marriage, and that Princess Diana’s marriage to Charles was “essentially arranged.”
Jemima considers “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” to be her love letter to Pakistan, a country that she lived in for ten years and remains connected to.
She set herself the challenge of writing a film that celebrated Pakistan and showcased its beauty, with a talented cast that included Shabana Azmi, Lily James, Emma Thompson, Shahzad Latif, and Sajal Ali.
Jemima plans to visit Pakistan soon for the film’s premiere. Overall, she is pleased with the positive reception the film has received and the opportunity to share her love for Pakistan with others.