Actress Sajal Aly recently discussed her viewpoint and choice on marriage at the Red Sea in an interview International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. The talented artist was accompanied by Jemima Goldsmith and legendary performer Shabana Azmi.
When asked about her thoughts on love and arranged marriage, the Alif actress stated, “It is too early for me to say anything about love or arranged. But I just feel like, I just believe in love marriages, I just believe in love. And anyway, a wedding is just a risk be it arranged or love. That’s all I can say.”
In an interview with Deadline, Jemima shared her inspiration behind making a cross-cultural rom-com. “I had wanted to make a film that showed Pakistan in a more colorful and hospitable and positive light than perhaps we usually see on our screens in the West,” said the producer, who shared the idea of the latest film of her experience of living in Pakistan after tying the knot with PTI chairman and former cricketer Imran Khan.
“It was very much a lament of friends of mine in Lahore when I lived there that the only films that win awards in the west are the ones that denigrate their country,” she added. “I saw a lot of very successful arranged marriages. That’s not to say that there isn’t a big difference between a forced marriage and the unhappy examples but I’m talking about the majority, which is done consensually, which are therefore often happy.”
“And of course, it did surprise me a lot. I do think that there is some virtue in parents understanding that having similar backgrounds, particularly very strong cultural backgrounds, is a strong base to put something together. In the film, we say, ‘you walk into marriage, you fall into love.’”
Pertinent to note that Sajal Aly got married to fellow actor Ahad Raza Mir in 2020 and it was a love marriage.
The couple had a huge fan following. The rumors of their divorce left their fans heartbroken. The couple legally divorced in 2022, although they have not spoken about it publically.