Watch The Reluctant Fundamentalist

The 2013 film The Reluctant Fundamentalist tells the story of Changez Khan, a Pakistani immigrant to the United States whose beliefs are called into question after the 9/11 terrorists attacks. The film is directed by Mira Nair, best known for the films Monsoon Wedding (2001) and The Namesake (2006). It is based on the popular 2007 novel of the same name by Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid. In August 2012, the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival. It was released in the U.S. in the spring of 2013. British actor Riz Ahmed stars a Changez, a young man who moved from Lahore to get an education at Princeton. After landing a job a prestigious Wall Street firm, he begins dating his boss' daughter, a photographer played by Kate Hudson. The September 11th terrorist attacks occur, and Changez finds himself to be the victim of racial profiling as people become suspicious of anyone of mid-eastern origin living in the United States. Disillusioned with the American way of life, he decides to abandon his burgeoning career and wealthy lifestyle to return to Pakistan. After returning to his home country, he gets caught up in the kidnapping plot of a college professor. Liev Schreiber plays a journalist named Bobby Lincoln who is sent to Pakistan to investigate Changez's story. Also in a supporting roles are Keifer Sutherland as Changez's boss, Jim, and Om Puri as Changez's disapproving father. The film is mainly a political thriller but also a character study of Changez with a strong moral message at its core. It raises questions about both the American Dream and fears of terrorism. The source material is intentionally ambiguous about whether or not the main character is involved in the kidnapping plot. This plot element leaves the audience guessing as to what will happen next.