Watch What Will People Say

What Will People Say is a 2017 film directed by Iram Haq that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie stars Norwegian actress Maria Mozhdah as Nisha, a 16-year-old Pakistani girl living in Oslo with her family. Adil Hussain plays her father Mirza, a traditionalist who wants to maintain their cultural values, while Ekavali Khanna takes on the role of Nisha's mother.

The movie opens with Nisha leading a seemingly normal life as a Norwegian teenager, hanging out with friends, and flirting with a boy. However, her world is about to turn upside down when her father catches her with the boy in her room. Mirza is outraged and feels that his daughter has dishonored their family. He sends her to his sister in Pakistan to learn the ways of their culture and forget about her Western ways.

Nisha finds herself in a world she has never known and struggles to adjust to the traditional gender roles and her cultural identity. She is not allowed to leave her aunt's house without permission, has to wear traditional clothing, and isn't allowed to attend school. Her aunt imposes a curfew on her and monitors her every move to make sure she doesn't repeat her mistakes.

Despite her efforts to appease her family and embrace her culture, Nisha's life in Pakistan turns out to be far from ideal. She misses her old life and family in Norway and feels trapped and alone. Her difficult circumstances take a turn for the worse when her cousin catches her talking to her Norwegian boyfriend on the phone. The scandalous news spreads quickly, and Nisha becomes the talk of the town. Her family's image and honor are at stake, and they must take drastic measures to restore their reputation.

The movie explores the themes of cultural identity and the struggles and pressures faced by immigrants trying to reconcile their origin culture and new ways of life. It also delves into the complexities of intergenerational conflict and the clash between tradition and modernity.

Maria Mozhdah gives a compelling performance as Nisha, capturing the character's internal turmoil and emotional depth. Adil Hussain is also impressive as Nisha's father, portraying a character that is both loving and authoritarian. The supporting cast, including Ekavali Khanna, lends a sense of authenticity to the culture and traditions depicted in the movie.

Overall, What Will People Say is a powerful and moving drama that offers a unique perspective on cultural identity and the immigrant experience. It highlights the struggles and sacrifices of families caught between two different worlds, and the difficulties of balancing cultural traditions and modernity. The movie is well worth watching for its realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by immigrants seeking to maintain cultural ties while living in a foreign land.

What Will People Say is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 69.