Anwar (2007)

In the cultural mosaic of Lucknow, India, we meet Anwar, a Muslim scholar engrossed in the exploration of ancient Hindu temples. Sharing a modest existence with his family, their lives are touched by the arrival of a destitute widow and her daughter, Mehru, who inhabit a spare room in their home. The radiance of Mehru bewitches Anwar, and he surrenders himself entirely to the throes of love. However, his dreams shatter when Mehru elopes with his Hindu confidant, Udit, who has his sights set on the American dream. As the veil of certainty falls away, a desperate search leads to a tragic end: Udit's life is taken, and Mehru succumbs to despair. Shattered and guilt-ridden, Anwar seeks solace in an antiquated temple, his bag filled with sketches of temples and notes on deity figures and Mehru, his only companions. The discovery of his bag by the police triggers a whirlwind of accusations, casting Anwar as a terrorist plotting to desecrate Hindu temples. As the temple transforms into a spectacle for the police, political opportunists, the media, and a curious crowd, Anwar retreats into the recesses of his mind to ponder his fate. Doomed to face three inevitable encounters, he meets an extremist Imam urging him towards martyrdom, Police Superintendent Ashok Tiwari, desperate for a swift surrender to return to his ailing family, and Anita, a media personality hungry for a live interview to solidify her professional standing. Amidst the backdrop of the post 9-11 world, saturated with Valentine's Day fervor, pop culture icons, and the pervasive American influence, Anwar is left to navigate the labyrinth of his choices, his ultimate decision hanging in the balance.

Anwar is a drama movie featuring Hiten Tejwani and directed by Manish Jha.

Anwar is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV.