The Big Sick - Interview with Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon

The Big Sick is a new movie that is going to give you ALL the feels. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll just want to hug your loved ones after you leave the theatre.

The film, which is getting critical praise across the board, is based on the real courtship of Kumail Nanjiani (known best for his role on Silicon Valley) and his now-wife, Emily V. Gordon.

When Kumail meets Beth during one of his stand-up comedy gigs, the two have an immediate chemistry. After a few weeks of dating, Beth discovers that Kumail has not told his traditional Pakistani-Muslim parents about her because he is afraid they will not accept her for being white.

While Kumail is determined to make the relationship work, the relationship hits a stand still when Beth (played by Zoe Kazan) is faced with a rare disease that puts her in a medically induced coma.

Kumail, joined by Beth's parents (played by Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) hold a vigil at her hospital waiting for her to recover.

The Big Sick premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this past January to rave reviews and was immediately bought by Amazon Studios. It also screened at South by Southwest in March where it won an Audience Award.

Since it's Sundance debut, The Big Sick has been getting word of mouth praise from everyone who has seen it. It's written so beautifully and balances the drama and the comedy in such a unique and special way that you can't help falling in love with all of the characters.

Now that Kumail and Emily are married and have been reliving their courtship and experience for the past six months talking to the press to promote the film, they admit that the whole process has been quite cathartic.

"It's been very therapeutic," Kumail told me during our recent interview in Toronto.

His wife and co-writer Emily who was also at the interview agreed. "It's been quite an amazing experience actually. Judd Apatow, our Producer and Michael Showalter, our director, really helped us take our story which is very interesting but not a thing you want to watch on screen and make it into this wonderful movie. Going through the process has been eye opening and truly helpful especially for me going through my illness. I got to see what was going on when I was in the coma and I saw how much I was truly loved."

Kumail is best known for his role as Dinesh on the hit TV series, Silicon Valley which focuses on an ensemble of actors. Since being in The Big Sick, Nanjiani is not that comfortable with his new leading man status but says if he has to embrace it, then so be it!

As much as it is depicted in the film that Kumail’s parents were against him having a serious relationship with a White woman, thankfully that part was a little over exaggerated in the movie.

"His parents are so lovely, and our first meeting couldn't have been nicer," says Emily. "I'm happy to say that Kumail's parents have completely accepted me and they have been so wonderful."

Kumail adds, "My mom is always buying her presents. She just returned from a trip to Pakistan and brought Emily jewelry and clothes."

The Big Sick is currently playing on a few screens in the U.S. It opens wider on June 28th and then across North America on July 14th.

Do yourselves a favour and go see it! You'll leave with a big smile on your face!

I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Kumail and Emily in Toronto where they stopped for a promo visit to discuss the cathartic process of making this fantastic film together. Check out our interview above.