Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist became one of the defining novels of the post-9/11 world. Nearly twenty years later, he reflects on writing a story that captured disillusionment, migration and belonging. Is the story still relevant today? Perhaps, more than ever.

The American Dream:
It was the gold standard of the American dream: an Ivy League education followed by a prestigious job in the corporate world of New York. Hamid lived that. Till his love affair with America dimmed.

The Monologue:
Mohsin takes us inside the novel’s most striking device: a one-sided conversation between Changez and an unnamed American stranger. He reflects on the power of silence, and why leaving gaps in storytelling forces readers to confront their own assumptions.

Homecoming:
At the heart of the conversation is the idea of home. Mohsin speaks about migration, reverse migration, and the complicated act of seeing your homeland through foreign eyes.

Beyond The Page:
From collaborating with Mira Nair on the film adaptation to reflecting on India-Pakistan relations today, Mohsin speaks about art, estrangement, and the possibility of reconnection.

Featured Clips in this episode:
9/11 - Reporter on camera as tower collapses
CNN 9/11 Live Coverage 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
How the 1965 Immigration Act changed America
The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Official Trailer

Credits:

Host: Mallika Kapur

Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.

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This is a Maed In India Production

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome
Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Producer: Rachna Sukuru
Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar
Artwork: Alika Gupta