What Will People Say

The film draws inspiration from the real-life experiences of director Iram Haq. At the heart of the story is Nisha, a 16-year-old who juggles two contrasting lives in Oslo, Norway. While she enjoys basketball and parties with her Norwegian friends, she also has to conform to the expectations of her traditional Pakistani Muslim household. Nisha is in a relationship with her Norwegian boyfriend, Daniel, but at home, she plays the role of the dutiful daughter.

The story takes a dramatic turn one fateful night when Mirza, her father, unexpectedly discovers Nisha with Daniel in her room. Enraged, he violently confronts Daniel, leading to police involvement after neighbors hear the commotion. Following this, Nisha finds herself placed in a child welfare agency where she grapples with feelings of guilt, even as a counselor reassures her that she bears no blame for the events that transpired. Mirza, under the assumption that his daughter has lost her virginity, offers her a choice that involves returning home only if she agrees to marry Daniel—a proposition Nisha firmly rejects.

As pressure mounts from family friends in their Pakistani community, who warn Mirza about Nisha’s potential defiance, he takes drastic measures to protect their family’s reputation. He forcibly relocates Nisha to Pakistan, leaving her with his sister under the pretext of ensuring her well-being. Before heading back to Norway, Mirza tries to reconcile with Nisha, expressing intentions he claims are for her best interest.

Months pass, and Nisha adapts to her new environment by learning domestic skills while attending school. Nonetheless, her longing for freedom pushes her to seek help through social media, a move that results in severe repercussions when her aunt discovers her actions, culminating in Nisha being punished and stripped of her passport.

The film deepens when Nisha develops feelings for her first cousin, Amir. Despite the dire circumstances, Nisha begins to savor fleeting happiness. However, during one secretive outing, they are caught by police, who subject them to cruel treatment and extortion, using the explicit photos they take as leverage against Nisha’s family.

In a heartbreaking turn, Nisha’s aunt fabricates a narrative accusing her of seduction, prompting Mirza’s return to Pakistan. He implores his sister and brother-in-law to let Nisha and Amir marry to quell the rumors, but they refuse. In a climactic scene, Mirza takes her back to Norway, ultimately threatening her life in a moment of rage, leaving Nisha desperate for forgiveness—a moment that unravels their relationship entirely.

Upon her return, the dynamics shift negatively as Nisha faces her mother’s cold demeanor and heightened scrutiny from her parents. Yearning for their acceptance, she struggles to regain their trust but is met with accusations that she had reached out to the welfare agency, compelling her to lie under pressure. When presented with the evidence of her abduction in the form of the Facebook message she sent, Nisha stands firm, determined to protect her family’s narrative.

The turmoil peaks when Nisha learns of her arranged marriage to a family friend’s son in Canada. Her father’s enthusiasm for her future clashes starkly with the intentions of her in-laws, who envision her as merely a housewife. Heartbroken, she resolves to escape; as she sneaks out of her bedroom, she exchanges a devastating glance with Mirza, who, despite the tears in his eyes, makes no attempt to stop her from leaving, underscoring the tragic distance that now defines their relationship.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 19:35