The Infidel is a comedy of identity and ethnicity.
MAHMUD NASIR (Omid Djalili) is an everyday member of London’s East End Muslim community; a mini cab business owner, loving husband to SAAMIYA (Archie Panjabi) and father of two. His son RASHID is busy preparing for his wedding to fiancé UZMA – as much a part of the family as the other NASIRS.
But this sun dappled family idyl is about to get shaken from its roots. After Mahmud’s mother's death, a chance discovery reveals that he isn’t the man he thought he was. Not only was he was adopted at birth by his Muslim parents – but he’s Jewish to boot.
To add to his woes, Uzma’s new stepfather is ARSHAD-AL-MASRI - a hardline Muslim cleric (Yigal Naor) who is looking for the perfect Muslim family for his recent stepdaughter.
Mahmud’s world is turned upside down as he struggles to understand his new identity. As he embarks on a hilarious journey of mid-life self discovery, the only person he can turn to is an unlikely ally LENNY, a drunk Jewish cabbie (Richard Schiff). The revelation of his Jewishness has disastrous effects on Mahmud’s family life, his business and his friends.
Can our hero manage to pull off being both a Muslim and a Jew with all that he holds dear still intact?
The Infidel is a comedy of community and cliché; family and fatwa.