On August 14, 1947, the State of Pakistan came into existence as a result of continuous political movement waged for the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of Indian sub-continent. Though the creation of such a State has not been able to satisfy the political, moral and material aspirations of the Muslim community. And a different Pakistan was portrayed post 9/11.

South Asian diasporic fiction has been widely known for its representation of culturally hybrid characters that challenges fixed conception of ethnic and racial identity. One of the novels by Pakistani diasporic writer Mohsin Hamid, The Reluctant Fundamentalist deals with the image of south Asian identity following the events of 9/11.

The film adaptation with the same title was made by Mira Nair. It is a moving portrait of how a series of incidents, public perceptions and one’s sense of identity can change a person. Set against the backdrop of a post-911 world, young Pakistani college student, Changez (Riz Ahmed), begins his new life in the US as a Princeton graduate quickly rising as a star on Wall Street. With a promising future ahead of him and a gorgeous artist girlfriend (Kate Hudson), Changez is well on his way to attain the American Dream when suddenly, with the fall of the towers, so unravels his identity and purpose. The Reluctant Fundamentalist is an inspired movie that portrays how easily perception, fear and suspicion can determine the lives and deaths of so many people, both innocent and guilty.

This paper tries to deal with the injustice of effects of 9/11on the lives of main characters and the inability to continue privileged, mainstream American life, in context with The Reluctant Fundamentalist, the book by Mohsin Hamid and also with The Reluctant Fundamentalist a movie by Mira Nair. 

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