My Son the Fanatic (film)

My Son the Fanatic is a 1997 British drama film directed by Udayan Prasad, with a screenplay by Hanif Kureishi, adapted from his short story of the same name. The film explores themes of cultural identity, generational conflict, religious extremism, and the clash between traditional values and Western culture within a British Pakistani family.

The plot centers on Parvez, a Pakistani taxi driver living in England, who is proud of his Westernized son, Farid. Parvez works hard to provide a good life for his family, including paying for Farid's education. However, Farid begins to reject Western values and embrace a more fundamentalist interpretation of Islam, leading to conflict with his father and growing estrangement from his fiancée, Madeleine. Parvez, confused and concerned by his son's radical transformation, struggles to understand the reasons behind it. He seeks guidance from Bettina, a prostitute with whom he has formed a complex relationship.

The film features Om Puri as Parvez and Akbar Kurtha as Farid. Rachel Griffiths plays Bettina. The narrative highlights the tensions arising from immigration, assimilation, and the search for identity in a multicultural society. It also delves into the allure of religious extremism for some young people seeking meaning and purpose in a world they perceive as morally bankrupt.