The Satanic Verses

Saladin and Gibreel are both actors who are used to adopting new temporary identities and performing these identities for the entertainment of others. Saladin is an expert voice actor who can alter his voice in thousands of different ways. Beyond his career, however, his entire life is a performance. Saladin grows up to dislike India and would much rather be English. After spending his school years in England, he adopts a new identity. He changes his accent, name, and mannerisms to resemble what he believes is an English identity. However, Saladin's performance is a parody. English people like Pamela can distinguish between authenticity and performance, and they mock Saladin’s fake accent and assumed identity. Meanwhile, Indian people like Zeenat chide Saladin for betraying his roots and trying to turn himself into something he is not. Saladin becomes a caricature of Englishness, an unwitting stereotype that is so exaggerated it becomes even more inauthentic. Unfortunately for Saladin, his attempts to fit into English culture only make him stand out as a target for derision.

Gibreel is most famous for playing gods in theological movies. Because he does not believe in any god or religion, he views the deities as characters rather than powerful beings.