Anwar Kharral
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| Anwar Kharral | |
|---|---|
 Dev Patel as Anwar Kharral |
|
| First appearance | "Tony" |
| Centric episodes | "Maxxie and Anwar" |
| Information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 17 |
| Year of birth | 1990 |
| Occupation | Student |
| Relationships | Lucy "Sketch" (ex-girlfriend) |
| Portrayed by | Dev Patel |
| Created by | Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain |
Anwar Kharral is a fictional character in the television series Skins portrayed by Dev Patel.
Contents |
[edit] Characterisation
Anwar is portrayed as a young Muslim boy with overbearing Pakistani parents that attempt to regulate both his faith and his life outside of the mosque. He is not a very devout Muslim, he takes drugs, drinks and has premarital sex; although he does pray five times a day and believes that homosexuality goes against his religion. His best friends are Chris and Maxxie, although his views on Maxxie's homosexuality sometimes puts a strain on their friendship. He does lament that as a Muslim boy, he feels he has no choice in his faith.
Anwar is the only main character not to have his name as an episode title during either series, other than an episode in Series 1 which the title was shared between him and Maxxie.
According to the official website, his favourite things are "Tequila, Dope, Pills, Lupe Fiasco, Breasts and X Factor".[1]
[edit] Character history
[edit] Series 1
In "Tony" he is convinced by best friend Maxxie, to go to a "big gay night out" along with Chris, but being bored they eventually go to Abigal 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, who he along with Sid 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 impressive fighting moves, using spinning kicks to knock over Chris's attackers.
[edit] Series 2
In "Sketch", he sleeps with Maxxie's stalker 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 and 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, after getting two E's and an U in his A-Level, he decides to live with Maxxie and James in London. Sketch, having previously tried to convince him that his friends would forget him, is seen watching him board the bus to London.
