The Reluctant Fundamentalist (film)

Mirabai Films

Company type	Film production company
Industry	Film production
Founder	Mira Nair

The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a 2012 American political thriller drama helmed by director Mira Nair and featuring performances from Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson, and Liev Schreiber. Adapted from Mohsin Hamid's 2007 novel, the narrative delves into the experiences of a Pakistani man navigating American attitudes in the aftermath of 9/11.

In 2007, after encountering Hamid’s unpublished manuscript, Nair chose to transform the story into a cinematic project. Her company, Mirabai Films, partnered with producer Lydia Dean Pilcher’s Cine Mosaic to acquire the adaptation rights.

The film debuted as the opening presentation at the 69th Venice International Film Festival and was later showcased at the 37th Toronto International Film Festival. It saw a limited theatrical release in the United States on 26 April 2013 through IFC Films. In Pakistan, it was released in Urdu under the title Changez on 24 May 2013. Additionally, the film was screened at the Munich International Film Festival and earned the "Centenary Award" at the 43rd International Film Festival of India.

Although it received praise for its exploration of themes such as tolerance and xenophobia, the movie did not achieve financial success, generating only $2.1 million worldwide against a production budget of $15 million.

Plot

Anse Rainier, an American academic affiliated with Lahore University, is abducted for ransom. Bobby Lincoln, an American journalist stationed in Pakistan, attempts to interview Changez Khan, Rainier’s colleague who is suspected of involvement.

During a meeting at a café, Changez conveys his respect for America’s meritocratic environment, emphasizing economic prospects. His father is a renowned poet, yet financial difficulties meant Changez attended Princeton University on scholarship. Upon graduation, he secures employment at Underwood Samson, a Wall Street valuation firm, and begins dating Erica, an American photographer.

While on a business trip to Manila during the September 11 attacks, Changez returns to the US where he faces harsh treatment at the airport, intensifying his resentment toward discrimination. Subsequently, he is mistakenly detained and questioned by federal agents. His relationship with Erica deteriorates; she struggles with guilt over her deceased former boyfriend and incorporates their intimate moments into her artwork, leading to their separation.

In Istanbul, while assessing a publishing company’s value, Changez encounters Turkish translations of his father’s poetry. Deeply affected, he refuses to close the financially failing firm, provoking conflict with his superior Jim Cross and culminating in his resignation from Underwood Samson.

During his discussion with Lincoln, Changez admits being approached by a terrorist group to become a mujahid, but he declined due to disillusionment with US arrogance and duplicity. He critiques both Islamic extremists and exploitative capitalists like Underwood Samson for reducing individuals to simplistic roles for their own benefit.

With his visa expired, Changez returns to Lahore to teach at a university amid an exodus of foreign faculty. His vocal criticism of US policies attracts government scrutiny; officials raid his workplace and residence, threatening his family. Lincoln is nearby; Changez reveals he knows Lincoln is affiliated with the CIA and suspects Rainier recruited him.

As protests erupt outside the café where Lincoln and Changez convene, Lincoln faces pressure to locate Rainier and complete "turning his target." Changez suggests a butcher shop as a potential hideout but communication is lost before Lincoln can report this.

Changez raises suspicion through text messages but claims they are communications with his sister Bina. After receiving an image of Rainier deceased, Lincoln accuses Changez and demands access to his phone. Amidst student protests holding Changez hostage, Lincoln falls during the turmoil and unintentionally kills Sameer—whom Changez refers to as his "brother"—while another student injures Lincoln. CIA agents extract Lincoln after confirming Rainier's death and verifying Changez's innocence through phone records.

Changez delivers Sameer’s eulogy while Lincoln recuperates in hospital, reflecting on Changez’s statement: "Appearances can be misleading. I am an admirer of America... although I was raised to feel very Pakistani..."

Music

The score for The Reluctant Fundamentalist was crafted by Michael Andrews, who integrated elements of traditional Pakistani music. Director Mira Nair personally chose Andrews, valuing his ability to fuse local cultural sounds.

The soundtrack blends Urdu poetry set to melodies, Pakistani pop, funk, rap, vocals by Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, alongside an original composition by Peter Gabriel, a frequent Nair collaborator. The film begins with an eight-minute rendition of "Kangna" performed by Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammed. Pieces inspired by Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry feature performances by Atif Aslam and Andrews with English lyrics. To enrich the musical experience, Nair enlisted Atif Aslam, Pakistan's foremost pop icon.

Andrews composed primarily from a distance, working with regional artists such as Alam Khan and Salar Nadir through online collaboration. Nair contributed her own vocals and Bansuri flute parts, coordinating the production despite differing time zones.

In addition to Andrews, vocalists and co-composers included Atif Aslam, Fareed Ayaz, Fahad Humayun, Abu Muhammad, and Amy Ray. Nair also cast renowned Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi as Changez's sister, who performs the track "Bijli Aaye Ya Na Aaye".

The soundtrack became available digitally on Amazon on 30 April 2013. Globally, the album was distributed by Knitting Factory, while Universal Music Group India secured exclusive rights for both physical and digital releases within India on the same date.

Initial screening

The Reluctant Fundamentalist was co-funded by IFC Films and Cathay-Keris Films, with IFC Films overseeing North American distribution and Cathay managing international markets. The movie debuted at the 69th Venice International Film Festival and the 37th Toronto International Film Festival in late 2012. Mira Nair aimed to counteract stereotypes by depicting "the modern Pakistan" beyond typical media portrayals, promoting dialogue and understanding.

Worldwide screening

In early 2013, the film was showcased at festivals throughout the US, Denmark, Venice, Toronto, London, Sweden, and Munich. It launched in the US on 26 April 2013; followed by releases in India and Canada on 17 May 2013; and in the UK on 19 May 2013. The Pakistani release occurred on 24 May under the title Changez in Urdu, distributed by Express Entertainment.

Box office

During its limited opening weekend in the US, The Reluctant Fundamentalist earned $30,920. Its total domestic gross reached $528,731, with worldwide earnings amounting to $2,167,020. In India, PVR Limited released the film across 300 venues, generating $273,299. The opening weekend revenue in Sweden stood at $12,286.

Critical response

Reviews for The Reluctant Fundamentalist were mixed. As of November 2022, it holds a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 99 critiques, averaging a score of 6.10/10. The consensus reads: "Technically sound with strong performances and cinematography; however, its ambitious themes feel heavy-handed." On Metacritic, it has a score of 54 from 28 reviewers indicating generally favorable feedback.

J.R. Jones of Chicago Reader commended it as a confident adaptation that highlights Mira Nair’s directorial strengths. Vaihayasi Pande Daniel from Rediff.com awarded three-and-a-half stars, appreciating certain cinematic moments despite some simplicity in execution. In The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw gave three stars, describing it as a courageous global narrative even if its message felt somewhat diluted.

Rummana Ahmed at Yahoo! Movies rated it four out of five stars, praising Nair’s adept conversion of the novel into an engaging cinematic story. Damon Wise from Empire assigned three stars, labeling it compelling yet a mid-tier effort from the director.

Mohar Basu of Koimoi also gave three stars; he highlighted Riz Ahmed’s standout performance but criticized the uneven screenplay and unresolved plot points.

Scholarly discussions by Mendes and Bennett (2016) as well as Lau and Mendes (2018) analyze how this film adaptation conveys the novel's nuanced ambivalence and provocative themes to wider audiences.

Accolades

The Reluctant Fundamentalist garnered several honors, notably winning the Audience Favorite—World Cinema at the 2012 Mill Valley Film Festival, an event where director Mira Nair also received special recognition.

The production was awarded the 1st Centenary Award at the 43rd International Film Festival of India and was a recipient of the Truly Moving Picture Award at the 2013 Heartland Film Festival.

During the 2013 Munich Film Festival, it earned the Best Film distinction through the Bernhard Wicki Film Award and achieved Best Narrative Feature in the Audience Awards at the 2013 CAAMFest.

In 2013, Mira Nair was honored with The Bridge, the German Film Award for Peace, which celebrates filmmakers who advance messages of tolerance and humanitarian values in their work.