Kumail Nanjiani’s film The Big Sick has been sold as the sincere rom-com that’s been missing in theaters of late. By the response Nanjiani during the press tour, it looks like it’s living up to expectations.
Based on Nanjiani’s real-life experience in a cross-cultural relationship with his wife and what it was like watching her fall into a coma, The Big Sick has already struck a chord with audiences in a profound way:
I met people I never thought I'd meet. People I've been a fan of for decades have been watching the movie & reaching out.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
But the most gratifying thing has been talking to ppl & hearing their stories. Ppl said they saw a piece of them on screen for the 1st time.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
I met gay people from my part of the world who aren't out to their parents. I met ppl who were in inter-cultural relationships that ended.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
I've seen more pics of white people in shalwar kameez's than ever. I've heard from ppl who stopped talking to their familes & started again.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
An older Indian couple told me that they now understood their son's choices a little bit better. I didn't how to respond, so I hugged them.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
We got into a discussion at one Q&A over whether kulfi was better than ice cream. No consensus was reached.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
I'm overwhelmed, moved, stunned, grateful, thankful, connected. I feel like an open wound. In a good way. Everything makes me feel so much.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
The response is also coming through in the numbers. Nanjiani tweeted that even with a limited advertising budget, buzz about the film is spreading through word of mouth and having an impact on showings already:
You're also the reason theaters keep adding us. 3 weeks ago, we were told the goal was 1,000 screens. This weekend, we open in over 2,500.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
The fact we're going this wide with a fraction of the advertising budget of most summer movies is absurd. It's all word of mouth.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 12, 2017
For tickets to see The Big Sick, visit tickets.thebigsickmovie.com.