
By Romey Norton - February 4, 2025
Set in London, Before Nikkah tells the story of two British Pakistanis who go on a blind date, as they prepare for a prospective arranged marriage. At first, the pair are apprehensive and the date doesn't start well. However, fate seems to have other plans to keep the couple together for the whole day as they slowly learn about one another.
The film opens with two people separately being told (and convinced) they're getting married to a stranger. The girl is young at 23, and the boy is getting on at 31 so it's time they settle down in their culture. Arranged marriages, especially in Western cultures, can seem like a silly and cruel tradition. This film does well in portraying the reasons behind this marriage and why the two are going ahead with it through honest conversations and bouts of comedy.
Both characters are born in the UK but raised by Desi families and are being pulled apart in two different directions. This inner conflict is explored with tender honesty through deep conversations whilst walking around London.
The story is very simple and easy to follow; with many heart-to-heart conversations, the audience is constantly stuck in a will they/won’t they. Whilst there are times this can be entertaining, the pace of the film is slow and lacks drive and action. It’s like watching one long date of two people who don’t really want to be there. As the film progresses, Sara goes on another bad date, and then tries to help Isaam get back with his ex - it just further suggests how much they’re not meant to be together, when you want them to magically fall in love.

I found Sara’s character hard to like, and never found that allegiance. Her cocky-over-assertiveness became boring very fast and it barely lets up. And while the actors do well in their roles, their chemistry together isn’t always believable. There are plenty of times their ‘banter’ was disengaging and felt as if they were reciting a memorised script. The comedy sections needed to be better executed, as they fell flat. Aakash Shukal does a good job at portraying a moody, single millennial battling with his morals and opinions when it comes to religion and relationships.
For an independent film with a low budget, the shots and style are to a high standard. Some nice shots of London and use of its outdoor locations and clean close ups. Sometimes the sound can let it down, when you can hear the wind in the background - it could have used more music.

The ending didn’t leave me feeling fulfilled, and without giving too many spoilers, I hope he goes back to his ex.
With themes of what it’s like to be a British Muslim, arranged marriages, relationships and dating, Before Nikkah has an open and honest script. However, its lack of drama, action and slow pace doesn’t make this film one to re-watch or remember. It’s a film you can have on in the background, or can watch on a lazy Sunday.
Releasing in select cinemas on February 12


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