In the new Norwegian-Pakistani film, What Will People Say , Adil Hussain plays a conflicted working-class Pakistani man in Oslo, tough on his schoolgoing daughter, whose carefree lifestyle he is unable to comprehend. Hussain’s Mirza makes a harsh decision – he forces his daughter Nisha to travel with him to Pakistan, where he leaves her with his relatives.
What Will People Say , directed by Norwegian-Pakistani filmmaker Iram Haq and is somewhat inspired by her own life. In addition to Hussain the film stars a young Norwegian-Afghan actress – Maria Mozhdah, who plays Nisha.
A powerful, harrowing film, What Will People Say premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival where it was well received by critics and audience. In her review Variety critic Alissa Simon wrote “The kinetically shot film brims with authenticity and immediacy.” The film was screened last week at the Jio MAMI 19th Mumbai Film Festival with Star.
Iram, how autobiographical is this film?
It is inspired by my life, but I also fictionalised it. I took elements of my life. When I was 14, I was sent to Pakistan. I was a bit younger than Nisha. It took me many years to be ready to narrate this story. I knew I wanted to tell it, but I wanted do it wisely, so it wasn’t just black and white. I wanted to understand the parents too.
I wrote the script many years ago, but at that time it felt like something written by an angry teenager. I wanted to bring in the parents’ perspective, where they come from, what kind of pressure they feel from the society. I also wanted to show how much the girl loves her father.
You were born in Norway?
Yes, I was. My father was born in Jaipur. He grew up in India and then migrated to Pakistan later. For me it was fantastic to go back and find my relatives.
During the shoot or before?
I visited India six times, including Jaipur to see where my grandfather lived. I always had this desire to go to India since I was a little girl. My first trip to India was just for inspiration, but then I was looking for Muslim areas to shoot the film.
Where did you shoot the Pakistan scenes?
In Ajmer and Udaipur.
Do Pakistanis in Norway tend to be more conservative?
They have lived there for 50 years so we are now into the fourth or fifth generation. Things are changing. But yes, they are conservative. There are about 50,000 Pakistanis. And most of them live in Oslo. Norway’s population is only five million.
[The Pakistani community] would keep to themselves, when I was young. Our parents’ generation was not so integrated as my generation is. The western world was different so they were afraid. Scandinavia is very open-minded. There was and still is a big gap.
Do you understand your parents better now that you have made the film?
For a long time I was not friendly with my father. We didn’t talk for 25 years. Then he was old. He had cancer and he apologised, which is when we started a deep relationship. But he died two years ago. He told me that he was afraid of this society and to lose his daughter. He really regretted sending me away.
Was it hard to write the script?
It was really hard. I wanted to give it away to someone else, but I realised I had to do it myself. It helped my conversations with my father. I told him that I was making this movie and wanted him to accept it. And he said it is so important to make the film to tell how far people can go when they are scared.
I think Adil is a wonderful actor and you have written such a nuanced character.
Yes. Most of my crew was from India. They were so professional and I am not saying this because you are Indian.
What about the other actors?
Ekavali Khanna who plays Nisha’s mother in Norway is Indian. So is Rohit Saraf, the love interest. Sheeba Chaddha plays the aunt in the Pakistani scenes is also from India. More than half the cast is Indian. I felt safer shooting in India. As a woman I felt safe to be in India.
How did you find your lead Maria Mozhdah?
We auditioned for one-and-a-half year. When she came in for the audition – I sensed her talent, her passion for being an actress.
How many times have you gone back to Pakistan since the first time?
I haven’t been back. I think it would be too heavy for me to go back. It’s enough to make this movie and deal with my traumas. I chose to work in India.
What about the Pakistani community in Norway? How did they react to your first film?
It was controversial, because of the sexual nature of the story. And also the girl was harming herself and her son. So it was a provocation. I hope the new film will open the door where people will discuss the concern they have about what will people say, ( log kya kahenge) . I want that thought process to change. Because it keeps our young people down. They often don’t follow their heart, but instead do things to please others, especially parents. I am not saying that you shouldn’t respect your families.
It’s such a big thing to move to another country. But when you chose that, you have to accept that your children will grow up in another culture. I am Norwegian. That is also my culture. I think in Norwegian. I don’t think in English or Urdu.
There are some people in India who will immediately react with ‘that is how all Pakistanis behave’.
Yes, definitely and also many people in the West will say, look this is the way they behave. I am aware of it. But it is important that this story is told. Also I am telling my story. But I do want to emphasise that every Pakistani family does not live like this.
Does the problem still exist? Have you heard of parents still sending their daughters back to Pakistan?
Yes, and also in other cultures. I know it happens among Turks, Iraqis, Syrians. They send their children away for holiday and then the children don’t come back.
Do you have any nice memories of Pakistan?
Oh yes, I have a lot friends. I love the humor and the warmth of the people. It’s very similar to Indians. Pakistanis often make fun of themselves. And I loved the heat.
