What’s Love? on Rai1: Film Plot, Cast, Lily James, Emma Thompson
- What's Love?, starring lily James, premieres tonight at 21:30 on Rai 1.
- Zoe (Lily James), an autonomous documentary filmmaker, decides to document the journey of her childhood best friend, Kazim (Shazad Latif).
- Armed with her camera and accompanied by her eccentric mother, Cath (Emma Thompson), Zoe follows Kazim from vibrant London to the colorful markets of Lahore, Pakistan.
What’s Love? Airing Tonight on Rai 1
Table of Contents
- What’s Love? Airing Tonight on Rai 1
- What’s Love Got to Do With It? Q&A
- What is “What’s Love?” about?
- When and where does “What’s Love?” premiere on Rai 1?
- Who are the main actors in “What’s Love?”
- What is an “assisted” marriage as portrayed in the film?
- Where does the film ”What’s Love?” take place?
- Who directed “What’s Love?”
- What are some of the key themes explored in “What’s Love?”
- What can audiences expect from Emma Thompson’s performance in “What’s Love?”
- What other notable films or series has Lily James starred in?
- What are Lily James’s upcoming projects?
- Key People Involved in “What’s Love?”
Get ready for a delightful romantic comedy! What’s Love?, starring lily James, premieres tonight at 21:30 on Rai 1. This heartwarming film tells the story of a young London woman who discovers her feelings for her childhood friend from Pakistan, just as he’s about to enter into an arranged marriage. Prepare for a movie that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The Plot of What’s Love?
Zoe (Lily James), an autonomous documentary filmmaker, decides to document the journey of her childhood best friend, Kazim (Shazad Latif). Kazim, a brilliant oncologist, has chosen to follow the path of ”assisted” marriages, a tradition deeply rooted in his Pakistani family.
Armed with her camera and accompanied by her eccentric mother, Cath (Emma Thompson), Zoe follows Kazim from vibrant London to the colorful markets of Lahore, Pakistan. The film explores the dynamics of a practice considered by some to be outdated. As Kazim prepares to meet and marry a woman he’s never met, Zoe begins to question her own views on love and relationships.
The secret attraction Zoe harbors for Kazim becomes increasingly challenging to ignore. Amidst culturally rich encounters and moments of introspection, both the director and the subject of the documentary realize that the definition of love is far more complex than they initially thought.

A Romantic Comedy Set Between London and Pakistan
Directed by Indian-born british director Shekhar Kapur, known for Elizabeth starring Cate Blanchett, What’s Love? is a multi-ethnic rom-com that is both funny and reflective.
Despite some minor script inconsistencies, this sentimental comedy, free of unneeded embellishments, benefits from Kapur’s assured direction and Jemima Kahn’s carefully crafted dialogues. The characters are believable and endearing, thanks to the talent and chemistry of Lily James and Shazad Latif. Emma Thompson delivers a brilliant performance, showcasing her comfort in lighthearted and amusing roles.
While hilarious, What’s Love? prompts reflection on the controversial custom of arranged marriages without prejudice, seen through the eyes of its protagonists.
The Cast: Lily James and Emma Thompson Shine
Lily James, a British actress born in 1989, graduated in acting in 2010. After gaining experience, she gained public recognition for her role in the fourth and fifth seasons of the television series Downton Abbey. Her breakthrough came in 2015 when she was cast as the lead in disney’s live-action film Cinderella, directed by Kenneth Branagh.
After working with renowned directors like Edgar Wright and Danny Boyle, Lily received industry recognition in 2022 with a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the series Pam & Tommy, alongside Sebastian Stan, where she portrayed Pamela Anderson. In 2023,Lily also starred in Saverio Costanzo’s film finalmente l’alba.
Looking ahead, Lily James is set to star in the remake of Cliffhanger, a ’90s cult classic with Sylvester Stallone, alongside Pierce Brosnan, and the horror film Let the Evil Go West, once again with Stan. This film tells the story of a railroad worker who experiences disturbing visions leading to madness, while his wife believes an evil presence has targeted their family.
What’s Love Got to Do With It? Q&A
What is “What’s Love?” about?
“What’s Love?” is a romantic comedy that explores the complexities of love and relationships in a cross-cultural context. The film follows zoe, a documentary filmmaker, as she documents her childhood best friend Kazim’s journey toward an “assisted” marriage, a tradition within his Pakistani family. As Zoe films Kazim’s experiences, she begins to question her own beliefs about love and grapples with her secret feelings for him.
When and where does “What’s Love?” premiere on Rai 1?
“What’s Love?” premieres tonight at 21:30 on Rai 1.
Who are the main actors in “What’s Love?”
The film stars:
Lily James as Zoe
Shazad Latif as Kazim
emma thompson as Cath, Zoe’s mother
What is an “assisted” marriage as portrayed in the film?
In the context of the film, an “assisted” marriage refers to a tradition, deeply rooted in Kazim’s Pakistani family, where potential partners are introduced and the families play a notable role in the selection process. It explores the dynamics of this practice, contrasting it with Western views on love and relationships.
Where does the film ”What’s Love?” take place?
The film’s setting spans from London to Lahore, Pakistan, showcasing the cultural contrasts and similarities between the two locations.
Who directed “What’s Love?”
“What’s Love?” is directed by Shekhar kapur, an Indian-born British director known for Elizabeth, starring Cate Blanchett.
What are some of the key themes explored in “What’s Love?”
The film explores themes such as:
Cultural differences in perspectives on love and marriage.
The contrast between “assisted” marriages and Western dating norms.
The complexities of unspoken feelings and childhood friendships.
self-revelation and questioning personal beliefs about love.
What can audiences expect from Emma Thompson’s performance in “What’s Love?”
Emma Thompson delivers a brilliant performance, showcasing her comfort in lighthearted and amusing roles. Her character, Cath, adds an eccentric and humorous dynamic to the film.
What other notable films or series has Lily James starred in?
lily James has appeared in:
Downton Abbey (TV Series)
Cinderella (2015)
Pam & Tommy (TV Series)
Finalmente l’alba (2023)
What are Lily James’s upcoming projects?
Lily James is set to star in:
The remake of Cliffhanger, alongside Sylvester Stallone and Pierce Brosnan.
The horror film Let the Evil Go West, once again with Sebastian Stan.
Key People Involved in “What’s Love?”
| Role | Person | Notes |
|—————|——————–|————————————————————————-|
| Director | Shekhar Kapur | Known for Elizabeth* |
| Lead Actress | lily James | Plays Zoe, the documentary filmmaker |
| Lead Actor | shazad Latif | Plays Kazim, Zoe’s childhood friend |
| Supporting Actor | Emma Thompson | Plays cath, Zoe’s eccentric mother |
| Writer | Jemima Khan | Crafted the dialogues |
