I trust Mira Nair’s integrity: Mohsin Hamid

Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid is excited about his novel, Reluctant Fundamentalist, being adapted into a movie by Monsoon Wedding director Mira Nair.

Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid is excited about his novel, Reluctant Fundamentalist, being adapted into a movie by Monsoon Wedding director Mira Nair. But the on-screen version will be “substantially” different from the original story.

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The author says he was “charmed” by Nair’s cinematic vision and agreed immediately. “I trust Mira’s integrity and aesthetics. I am excited to see what her film becomes,” says Hamid.

The novel is the story of a bearded Pakistani man called Changez, who tells an American stranger about his love affair, and eventual abandonment of America.

But Nair has introduced songs and a female character in the story. “The film and the book will be different. But that is to be expected.” Nair approached Hamid, a few months after the book was published. They met over lunch and the deal was struck.

“We are both Punjabis, feel a passionate connection to the story and believe strongly in the need for Indo-Pakistani collaboration. It was an easy decision,” says Hamid.