Thinking Past 'Post-9/11': Home, Nation and Transnational Desires in Pakistani English Novels and Hindi Films

This book explores the literary and cinematic representations of Indian and Pakistani Muslim diasporic and migrant journeys in the two decades following the 9/11 attacks. It examines the aesthetic complexities of staging the historical nexus of global conflicts and uncovers the multiple layers of discourses underlying the notions of diaspora, citizenship, nation, and home. It also provides a fresh perspective on the role of Pakistani English novels and mainstream Hindi films in tracing the multiple origins and shifts in national xenophobic practices and negotiating multiple modalities of political and cultural belonging.

Format: Hardback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book presents novel approaches to understanding the literary and cinematic representations of Indian and Pakistani Muslim diasporic and migrant journeys in the two decades following the 9/11 attacks. By examining four Pakistani English novels and four Indian Hindi films, it delves into the intricate aesthetics of staging the historical intersection of global conflicts and uncovers the multifaceted discourses underlying concepts such as diaspora, citizenship, nation, and home. It critically analyzes the "flirtatious" nature of transnational desires and their role in creating glocal safety valves for inclusion and archiving a planetary vision of trauma. Furthermore, it offers a fresh perspective on the role of Pakistani English novels and mainstream Hindi films in tracing the diverse origins and shifts in national xenophobic practices, as well as negotiating multiple modalities of political and cultural belonging. The book discusses various works, including "The Reluctant Fundamentalist," "Burnt Shadows," "My Name is Khan," "New York," "Exit West," "Home Fire," "AirLift," and "Tiger Zinda Hai."

In the context of the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this book assumes a pivotal role in the ongoing discussions surrounding terror, war, paranoid national imaginations, and the mistrust directed towards refugee migratory movements. By engaging with the literary and cinematic narratives of Indian and Pakistani Muslim diasporic and migrant experiences, it contributes significantly to the interdisciplinary dialogues on border controls and human precarity. As a seminal work in transnational and diaspora criticism, this book holds immense appeal to scholars engaged in the fields of literature and culture studies, media studies, politics, film studies, and South Asian studies. Its insights and analyses will undoubtedly enrich our understanding of the complex dynamics of identity, migration, and the globalized world.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367755119