The War Within is a 2005 American political drama film directed by Joseph Castelo, who wrote the screenplay with Ayad Akhtar and Tom Glynn. The film stars Akhtar as Hassan, a Pakistani engineering student who is apprehended by Western intelligence services for suspected terrorist activities. It also stars Nandana Sen, Firdous Bamji, Sarita Choudhury, and Charles Daniel Sandoval.

Ayad Akhtar is an American playwright, novelist, and screenwriter of Pakistani heritage. He has received numerous accolades including the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as nominations for two Tony Awards.