What Is Anwar About?
The premise of Anwar in 363 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling lanes of Lucknow, Anwar grows up in a modest, close‑knit Muslim household, sharing the cramped rooms of his family’s rental home with a widowed neighbor and her daughter. He spends his days quietly immersed in the study of ancient Hindu temples, sketching mandirs and tracing the legends of Krishna and Mirabai—an unusual passion that hints at a yearning for something beyond the familiar rhythms of his everyday life. The city’s colors, its clamor of market calls, and the quiet prayers that echo from every doorway create a tapestry where tradition and aspiration coexist, setting a backdrop that feels both intimate and expansive.
A tender connection blossoms between Anwar and the neighbor’s daughter, a bright young woman whose dreams point toward distant horizons. Their bond, built on shared moments in the courtyard and whispered conversations about art and history, becomes the quiet heart of his world. At the same time, Anwar looks to a mentor and a close friend for guidance, hoping they will help him navigate the delicate balance between family expectations and his own restless desire for a love story that transcends the ordinary. The gentle melancholy of these relationships is underscored by the subtle undercurrents of a society in flux.
Compelled by an inner restlessness, Anwar leaves the safety of his home in search of the love and freedom he feels slipping away. He seeks solace in an old, weathered building that holds the ghosts of centuries past, carrying with him a satchel of sketches and notes that speak of forgotten deities and imagined futures. In a world still resonating with the aftershocks of global tensions, his artistic reverie is poised to be misunderstood, casting a shadow of suspicion that mirrors the broader anxieties of contemporary India.
The film unfolds with a contemplative, almost lyrical tone, weaving personal longing with the pulse of a nation wrestling with identity, faith, and modernity. Its mood shifts between the quiet intimacy of a young man’s inner world and the charged atmosphere of a society quick to label what it does not understand, inviting the audience to linger on the fragile line between love, belief, and the narratives we choose to believe.
What Happens in Anwar?
The complete story of Anwar, from the first scene to the last, in 602 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Anwar, Siddharth Koirala, grows up in a modest, close-knit Muslim family in Lucknow, living with his mother and sister Suraiya. He quietly pursues his passion for history, specifically researching ancient Hindu temples, while the family’s small rental home also hosts a poor widow and her daughter Mehru, Nauheed Cyrusi, with whom Anwar forms a tender bond. The story begins in a world where daily life carries the weight of tradition, poverty, and a sense of longing for something beyond the familiar.
Anwar’s connection with Mehru blossoms into something deeper as he becomes convinced of her love, yet Mehru’s dreams pull her toward America. She longs to escape the dust, the heat, and the relentless hardships of poverty in their country, and she begins to look outward, toward a different life. Mehru’s horizons widen when she expresses interest in Udit, Hiten Tejwani—an engineer who has his own plan to settle in the United States. Udit’s arrival into Mehru’s life introduces a crucial choice that will test loyalties, faith, and the future they both imagine.
The relationships become entangled as Mehru starts a relationship with Udit, a development that is barely concealed from Anwar and eventually comes into the open. Anwar cautions Udit about the chasm between their religious backgrounds and the potential consequences if Mehru’s strict, traditional family discovers the affair. He warns that such a revelation could derail Mehru’s chances of happiness and place both women and men in precarious danger. Yet Udit presses forward, seemingly ignoring the risk.
On a tense terrace meeting, Anwar finally confesses his own feelings and pleads with Mehru not to leave him. Mehru, however, reveals that she never loved Anwar in the way he loves her. She decides to run away with Udit, leaving Anwar stunned and heartbroken. In a moment of urgent truth, Anwar tells Mehru’s mother and the family that Mehru has fled with a Hindu man, catalyzing a cascade of tragedy. Mehru’s uncle, aided by two others, tracks them down, and a violent confrontation ensues: Udit is shot, Mehru is wounded, and she is brought back to her family in a fragile state.
The sorrowful aftermath deepens Anwar’s guilt, and he retreats to a place of solitude, taking shelter in an ancient Hindu temple in Dholpur. There he carries a bag filled with his drawings of mandirs and notes on Krishna, Mirabai, and Mehru—a personal archive of love, faith, and loss. The bag eventually falls into the hands of the police, who misinterpret its contents and conclude that Anwar is a terrorist planning to detonate bombs in sacred Hindu temples. The temple becomes a charged stage for a political and media spectacle, surrounded by police, opportunistic politicians eager to win Hindu votes, and a large, curious crowd drawn to the drama.
The narrative unfolds against a post-9/11 backdrop, with cultural signals of the era—Valentine’s Day glitz, headlines about Osama bin Laden, shifting conceptions of the American dream—juxtaposed with the pressures of faith, community, and national identity. Amidst this climate, Anwar must confront his options in a world where suspicion can eclipse humanity, and where one man’s love story is entangled with fear, prejudice, and violence.
In a final, devastating moment, Anwar is fatally shot by the police. As he dies, he experiences a visions-filled exchange: he imagines himself as Krishna, with Mehru transformed into Meera, reuniting in a spiritual sense beyond the tragedies that unfolded in the mortal world. The ending lingers on the tension between love and loss, faith and fear, memory and myth, leaving viewers to reflect on how lives intersect and are judged in a society quick to draw conclusions.
Anwar Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Anwar's life in Lucknow and temple research” to “Final shot: Anwar dies with a Krishna-Meera vision”. 15 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Anwar's life in Lucknow and temple research
Anwar, from a middle-class Muslim family in Lucknow, lives with his mother and sister Suraiya while devoting time to researching ancient Hindu temples. His scholarly curiosity sits alongside the everyday struggles of his family, establishing the cultural tension at the heart of the story. This early backdrop frames Anwar's later choices and perceptions.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 2
Mehru joins the household as a renter
The family rents a room to a poor widow and her daughter Mehru, who becomes a quiet presence in their home. Anwar begins to notice Mehru, and a subtle bond forms between them. This setup creates the first threads of affection and conflict that drive the plot.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 3
Anwar falls in love with Mehru
As Mehru settles in, Anwar finds himself increasingly drawn to her, nurturing a growing emotional connection. He guards his feelings, aware of the social and religious boundaries that could complicate their lives. The romance begins to complicate family and cultural loyalties.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 4
Mehru dreams of America
Mehru confides her longing to settle in America, tired of dust, heat, and hardship. She envisions freedom and opportunity beyond their circumstances. Anwar acknowledges the chasm between their worlds and the unlikely feasibility of her dream within his means.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 5
Mehru's relationship with Udit and US plans
Mehru begins a relationship with Udit, an engineer who plans to marry her before leaving for the US once his visa is ready. The arrangement introduces a competing path for Mehru and adds tension to Anwar’s unspoken love. The future seems to hinge on a cross-cultural and cross-religious decision.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 6
Anwar warns Udit about religious differences
Anwar visits Udit to challenge the plan, arguing that Mehru's Muslim faith and Hindu background could invite disaster for both families. Udit dismisses the warning, setting the stage for an irreversible rift. The scene foregrounds communal fears, loyalty, and the cost of crossing lines.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 7
Terrace confession and Mehru's rejection
On a terrace, Anwar confesses his long-held love and begs Mehru not to leave him. Mehru reveals she never loved him, choosing another path instead. The emotional rupture crystallizes the tragedy to come and cements the lovers' fates.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 8
Mehru elopes with Udit
Mehru runs away with Udit, abandoning the life she knew and triggering a cascade of guilt and fear for both families. The couple’s decision marks a perilous turn toward potential disaster. Anwar is left to grapple with a heartbreak that mirrors broader social tensions.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 9
Mehru's mother learns of the disappearance
Mehru's mother weeps as she confronts the rupture caused by Mehru's choice. Anwar, overwhelmed by guilt, tells the family that Mehru has run away with a Hindu man. The scene intensifies the clash between love, faith, and family honor.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 10
The pursuit and Udit's death
Mehru's uncle and two others locate the couple, confront them, and shoot Udit, injuring Mehru. They drag the pair back to Mehru's home, plunging the family into shock and tragedy. The violence becomes the fulcrum of communal and personal conflict.
Where:Lucknow, India
Show the other 5 events of Anwar Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Mehru's suicide and Anwar's guilt
Mehru dies by suicide in the wake of Udit's death and the ensuing turmoil. Anwar is overwhelmed by guilt and vows to honor Mehru's memory in a world that feels increasingly hostile. The tragedy deepens the theme of forbidden love and its deadly consequences.
Where:Lucknow, India
- 12
Anwar seeks refuge in the Dholpur temple
A guilt-ridden Anwar flees to an ancient Hindu temple in Dholpur, carrying a bag filled with temple drawings and notes on Krishna, Mirabai, and Mehru. The temple becomes both sanctuary and symbol of his inner conflict. The bag's contents hint at culture, devotion, and ideological misreadings.
Where:Dholpur, India
- 13
Police seize the bag and mislabel him
The bag falls into police hands, leading investigators to conclude that Anwar is planning to detonate bombs in sacred Hindu temples. The accusation inflames the siege around the temple and magnifies political and media interest. The post-9/11 atmosphere amplifies fear and sensationalism.
Where:Dholpur, India
- 14
Temple siege and public spectacle
The temple is surrounded by police, politicians courting Hindu votes, and a frenzied crowd. Reporters cover the drama as the nation debates identity, faith, and security. The confrontation unfolds within a charged political climate shaped by post-9/11 anxieties.
Where:Dholpur, India
- 15
Final shot: Anwar dies with a Krishna-Meera vision
As officers close in, Anwar is fatally shot. In his last moments, he envisions himself as Krishna and Mehru as Meera reuniting in a transcendent moment. The dying vision offers a bittersweet reconciliation of love and devotion amid tragedy.
Where:Dholpur, India
Who Are the Main Characters in Anwar?
3 characters, among them Anwar (Siddharth Koirala), Mehru (Nauheed Cyrusi) and Udit (Hiten Tejwani): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- A(
Anwar (Siddharth Koirala)
Played by Siddharth Koirala
Anwar is a thoughtful, academically inclined young man from a middle-class Muslim family in Lucknow. He loves Mehru and navigates conflict between desire and religious identity, ultimately sacrificing his own happiness. His guilt over the events surrounding Mehru drives him to seek solace in a temple, and his final vision reframes his struggle as a spiritual reunion with Mehru.
- 💑 Romantic
- 🧭 Inner conflict
- 🧠 Intellectual
- M(
Mehru (Nauheed Cyrusi)
Played by Nauheed Cyrusi
Mehru yearns to escape poverty and dream of America, but she pursues love with Udit while keeping Anwar at a distance. Her choices reveal the pull between personal longing and family loyalties, culminating in a tragic sacrifice that exposes the consequences of social pressures.
- 💔 Tragic love
- ✈️ Dreams of America
- 🕊️ Family loyalties
- U(
Udit (Hiten Tejwani)
Played by Hiten Tejwani
Udit is an engineer whose plans to marry Mehru and move to America collide with religious tensions and Anwar's warnings. His pursuit of a better future leads to a violent ending that intensifies the drama and tragedy surrounding the lovers.
- 💑 Desire for a better life
- 🧭 Cross-cultural romance
- ⚖️ Risk and consequence
Where and When Is Anwar Set?
Anwar is set in Lucknow and Dholpur (Early 2000s, post-9/11 era). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 2000s, post-9/11 era
The narrative unfolds in the years following the 9/11 attacks, a period marked by heightened religious and political sensitivities in India. The city rhythms, family pressures, and media spotlight mirror a society grappling with modern aspirations and communal anxieties. The backdrop reinforces the film's exploration of love under scrutiny and the cost of intolerance.
Where
Lucknow, Dholpur
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, frames the film with its Muslim-urban milieu and family life. The story also shifts to Dholpur, where an ancient Hindu temple stands as a symbol of faith and refuge. Together these locations highlight the tension between tradition, religion, and personal longing in a contemporary Indian setting.
- 🏙️ Lucknow
- 🕌 Dholpur
What Are the Themes of Anwar?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love and Religion, Misconceptions and Fear and Tragedy and Sacrifice.
-
01
Love and Religion
Love crosses religious lines as Mehru, a Muslim woman, contends with her attraction to Anwar and her alliance with Udit, a Hindu engineer. Anwar's unrequited love for Mehru sharpens the tension between faith and personal desire. The film uses romance to question whether tradition can allow true choices. Tragedy and conflict emerge from the collision of beliefs and affection.
-
02
Misconceptions and Fear
Post-9/11 anxieties permeate the story as Anwar becomes a suspect in a terrorist plot based on his presence in a temple. Media and politicians fuel a frenzy to win votes, shaping public perception and endangering ordinary lives. The film critiques how fear can override evidence and humanity. The outcome exposes the danger of stereotyping a person by their faith.
-
03
Tragedy and Sacrifice
The sequence of betrayals and murders leads to a communal tragedy. Udit is shot, Mehru dies, and Anwar is fatally shot, turning personal heartbreak into public spectacle. The ending frames a vision of Krishna and Meera as a plea for reconciliation, contrasting with the harsh real-world consequences. The theme underscores the cost of hatred and the fragility of peace.
What Kind of Film Is Anwar?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A heavy and tragic drama that follows a heartbroken man as his personal loss becomes entangled with societal prejudice, leading to a tense and ultimately devastating conclusion set against a backdrop of religious and political tension.
- tragic
- oppressive
- melancholic
- anxious
- grieving
- somber
- religious intolerance
- interfaith romance
- tragic love
- social prejudice
Content notes: murder, suicide, gun violence, religious persecution.
Quiz
How well do you remember Anwar? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Anwar
Stream it on Brew and Fawesome. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Brew 
Fawesome 
Plex 
Plex Channel 
Tubi TV 
Xumo Play Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
