Anwar Kharral

Anwar Kharral is a fictional character in the television series Skins portrayed by Dev Patel.

Characterisation

Anwar is portrayed as boy with Pakistani origin. Although raised in an Islamic household, he is not very serious about his faith as he takes drugs at parties, drinks, partakes in premarital sex and even eats pork; although he does pray five times a day and believes that homosexuality goes against his religion. His best friend is Maxxie Oliver, although his views on Maxxie's sexual orientation sometimes put a strain on their friendship. He does lament that as a Muslim boy, he feels he has no choice in his faith.

According to the official website, his favourite things are "tequila, dope, pills, Lupe Fiasco, breasts and X Factor".^[1]

According to fellow actors Mike Bailey (who portrays Sid Jenkins) and Hannah Murray (who portrays Cassie Ainsworth), the characterization of Anwar was partly based on the personality of the actor Dev Patel and the role was written specifically for him after he was cast for Skins.^[2]

Character history

Series 1

In "Tony" he is convinced by best friend Maxxie, to go to a "big gay night out" (because Maxxie said "there would be lots of beautiful women there and they (Chris and Anwar) would be the only ones there to shag") along with Chris, but being bored they eventually go to Abigail Stock's party instead. In "Maxxie and Anwar", on a school trip to Russia, he finds himself at odds with Maxxie who views Anwar's pick-and-choose approach to Islam as hypocritical. He also loses his virginity to a married Russian girl, Anka, who he, along with Sid Jenkins, believed they were rescuing from her abusive father who turned out to be her husband.

The beginning of the first series finale opens with the celebration of Anwar's 17th birthday and his upcoming party on the same day. Maxxie rings him to wish him happy birthday, and asks that Anwar's parents know that he is gay or he would not attend. Anwar's party turns out to be a complete shambles with his uncle as the DJ, Anwar's relatives also introduce one of their friends with him who he wants to introduce Maxxie to. Anwar and Maxxie meet outside the party hall where Mr. Kharral, Anwar's father, spots them talking. As Mr. Kharral converses with Maxxie he blurts out that Maxxie is gay. Mr. Kharral seems to be oblivious, until Maxxie tells Mr. Kharral; seconds later. Mr. Kharral much to both Maxxie and Anwar's surprise actually explains that homosexuals are something he does not understand, but would never discriminate against, as he has faith that God will one day enlighten him. Maxxie and Anwar seem to have once again become best friends. In Chris's brawl later at the party, Anwar displays some apparent knowledge of martial arts, using spinning kicks to knock over Chris's attackers.

Series 2

Patel On The Stage in Skins Party 2007

In "Sketch", he sleeps with Sketch after Maxxie turns her down. Despite telling Anwar that she always liked him, Sketch still has feelings for Maxxie, as she touches and looks at a picture of him while she has sex with Anwar.

In the next episode it is shown that he and Sketch are continuing their sexual relationship, implying that Anwar may be particularly interested in her. When the two are caught by Sid's Mum, Anwar once again expresses discomfort for his life under a Muslim household, stating that "sex hasn't been invented" in his house.

In series 2's "Chris", while at Chris' house-warming party Maxxie confronts both Sketch and Anwar about Anwar's recent choice of style which disturbingly mirrors that of Maxxie. Anwar, oblivious to Sketch's designs reacts first in disbelief then informs Sketch that she is dumped.

In the series two finale, Anwar is nervous after he receives his A-Level results in the post, as he has pledged not to open them until after Chris' funeral, even when his mother offers to steam them open. Anwar decides to open them anyway, and his reaction is one of shock, horror and dismay. Unable to go to his friends or his family, Anwar visits Sketch, his ex-girlfriend, and confides to her about them, and she reveals to him that he never gave any thought to his future. She then persuades him that his friends will eventually move on, and suggests they get back together. Anwar leaves before the results can be read out, and Maxxie reveals that the grades were, in fact, two E's and a U. When seeing Maxxie and James off at the bus to London, they persuade him to join them. Excited, he boards the bus, while Sketch watching the bus leave in dismay.

Series 3

Anwar was briefly mentioned in the season 3 episode "Freddie". Cook mentions that he met "some skinny Asian kid named Anwar" busking and asked if he could join him. He then goes on to say that Anwar asked him in turn if he knew the "'buddah buddah cheeeese buddah' routine or something."

References

External links

• Anwar Kharral on the official E4 Skins site
• Anwar Kharral at the Internet Movie Database
• Anwar Kharral on Myspace