We’ll have what Emma’s having!
Double Oscar winner dazzles in Indian-style dress as she lives it up with screen daughter Lily
AS TWO of the brightest stars of British film, Lily James and Dame Emma Thompson can transform even the drabbest suburban scene into a festival of light.
In eye-catching traditional Indian dress, an animated Dame Emma beamed with delight while filming with Ms James for the forthcoming romantic comedy What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Our exclusive photographs were taken last week as the actresses worked late into the night on location in a West London street to o shoot scenes of them leaving a party in high spirits.
By contrast with her two-time Oscar-winning co-star’s colourful costume, Ms James, 31, was dressed in traditional Western garb beloved by a girl-about-town – a leather biker’s jacket, pinstriped flares and heels.
And those present couldn’t help but notice how 61-year-old Dame Emma, a long-time Labour supporter, feminist activist and environmental campaigner, played the part of a strong- willed mother with apparent ease.
In the film, written by Jemima Khan, ex-wife of cricketer and Pakistan premier Imran Khan, Dame Emma pl ays Cath, t he e opinionated mother of Ms James’s character Zoe, who has fallen in love with childhood friend Kazim.
Directed by veteran film-maker Shekhar Kapur, What’s Love Got To Do With It? is being filmed in London and South Asia and is described as ‘a cross-cultural comedy’.
‘I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work with the smartest, most talented, brilliant actresses in the world,’ Kapur said ahead of filming.
European media giant Studiocanal has teamed up with British production company Working Title to create the film, hoping to repeat the box-office hits enjoyed by the
London- based firm i ncl udi ng Bridget Jones’s Baby, Love Actually and Notting Hill.
‘It’s a perfect date movie with universal themes,’ said Anne Cherel, Studiocanal’s vice-president.
‘When Covid-19 lifts, people will need to be entertained and watch uplifting, feelgood content.’