How Can It Be poster
Where to stream

How Can It Be

20089mMovieDrama

The story of Zainab and Arif, who live their son, Munna, in Brooklyn. Zainab makes the complicated decision to leave her protected life and follow her heart. One of eight shorts commissioned by the United Nations on themes concerning global society.

DirectorMira Nair
WritersSuketu Mehta·Rashida Mustafa
ProducersLissandra Haulica·Marc Obéron

Where to watch

Criterion ChannelCriterion Channel
Availability shown for Canada · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Mira Nair

KSKonkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma
Zainab
RSRanvir Shorey
Ranvir Shorey
Arif
BC
Birsa Chatterjee
Munna

More from Konkona Sen Sharma · Lead actress

Accused
Accused
2026 · 5.6
Mumbai Diaries
Mumbai Diaries
2021 · 7.3
Mixed Doubles
Mixed Doubles
2006 · 7.3
Killer Soup
Killer Soup
2024 · 6.6
Lust Stories 3
Lust Stories 3
2026
Luck by Chance
Luck by Chance
2009 · 6.5
Amu
Amu
2005 · 7.1
Shajarur Kanta
Shajarur Kanta
2015 · 6.0
Life in a Metro
Life in a Metro
2007 · 6.4
Search: The Naina Murder Case
Search: The Naina Murder Case
2025 · 4.5
See all fromKonkona Sen Sharma

More from Ranvir Shorey · Co-star actor

Sacred Games
Sacred Games
2018 · 7.8
Tiger 3
Tiger 3
2023 · 5.6
Shekhar Home
Shekhar Home
2024 · 7.0
Sunflower
Sunflower
2021 · 6.5
The Office
The Office
2019 · 6.1
Ek Tha Tiger
Ek Tha Tiger
2012 · 6.2
The Pyramid Scheme
The Pyramid Scheme
2026 · 7.0
Hasmukh
Hasmukh
2020 · 5.0
Jism
Jism
2003 · 4.2
Bindiya Ke Bahubali
Bindiya Ke Bahubali
2025
See all fromRanvir Shorey

More from Mira Nair · Director

National Treasure: Edge of History
National Treasure: Edge of History
2022 · 6.7
New York, I Love You
New York, I Love You
2008 · 6.0
Queen of Katwe
Queen of Katwe
2016 · 7.2
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair
2004 · 5.8
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
2013 · 6.6
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
1997 · 5.7
Monsoon Wedding
Monsoon Wedding
2001 · 6.8
Amelia
Amelia
2009 · 5.7
September 11
September 11
2002 · 6.4
Mississippi Masala
Mississippi Masala
1991 · 6.4
See all fromMira Nair

More like this

Bastard Out of Carolina
Bastard Out of Carolina
1996 · 7.1
What Maisie Knew
What Maisie Knew
2013 · 7.1
The Nest
The Nest
2020 · 6.1
Hungry Hearts
Hungry Hearts
2015 · 6.5
Skin
Skin
2009 · 6.4
Hands of Stone
Hands of Stone
2016 · 6.6
The Safety of Objects
The Safety of Objects
2002 · 6.5
Cardboard Boxer
Cardboard Boxer
2016 · 6.4
The Young One
The Young One
1960 · 7.0
Holy Lands
Holy Lands
2019 · 6.1
El Chicano
El Chicano
2019 · 6.6
The Color of Friendship
The Color of Friendship
2000 · 6.7

How Can It Be — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams How Can It Be?

How Can It Be is streaming on Criterion Channel in Canada. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is How Can It Be on Netflix?

No, How Can It Be is not on Netflix in Canada as of September 2026. It's currently on Criterion Channel.

Is How Can It Be on Amazon Prime Video?

No, How Can It Be isn't on Amazon Prime Video in Canada right now. It's on Criterion Channel instead.

Where can I watch How Can It Be for free?

How Can It Be is available on Criterion Channel in Canada, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.