The Wrong Bashir

Bashir Ladha, a bohemian philosophy podcaster, finds himself unwittingly thrust into the spotlight when he is chosen to assume a distinguished religious position that his parents have eagerly accepted on his behalf. Before Bashir can object, two committee representatives are at his door to congratulate him. As the representatives start to suspect a mistake has been made, Bashir’s jubilant grandparents and relatives arrive to commemorate the honour. A charming farce ensues, prompting questions around whether the seemingly wrong Bashir may, in fact, be the right one.

Fast-paced, original, and laugh-out-loud funny, this delightful debut by Zahida Rahemtulla invites us to look at values passed down through generations, the ties of community, and how we are shaped by those who love us most— even when we try to run away from them.