The Role Model  (English, Paperback, Humera Ahmed)

Set in 1986, 'The Role Model' a novel is a gentle romance. It revolves around two beautiful young women, Suroor and Yasmin, who seek love and acceptance. Suroor flees from an uncaring husband fearing sexual exploitation by him to curry favour with his boss. She takes refuge in Bombay with her cousin Yasmin who seems perturbed and is trying to get away from the man she loves - the charming and amiable Afzal. Suroor meets and falls in love with Afzal's friend the debonair and aristocratic Haider Khan, who is unaware of her past. Haider adores his mother whom he considers a Role Model and wants to make a telefilm on her life and is keen to cast Suroor in the main role. Suroor persuaded by Yasmin, reluctantly accepts the role. But when she learns that Haider loves her, she is forced to confront her past and is assailed by doubts: Will her husband release her? Will Haider accept her? While the protagonists grapple with their destinies, a larger drama unfolds in the public domain- the aftermath of the historical Shah Bano judgment and its impact which impinges on the narrative as Yasmin reports on the events related to it.