Nazim, Dastan’s uncle depicted by Ben Kingsley, is a trusted ally of Dastan. When he was young, he was hunting with the soon-to-be king, when a lion attacked them. Nazim killed the lion and saved the king,Tus, Garsiv, and Dastan’s father. As time went on, he felt that he should be king, and regretted ever killing the lion. He forms a plan to retrieve the dagger and pierce the sand glass, releasing the sand to turn back time as far as he wants. Little does he know that if he does this, it will unleash the wrath of the gods upon all people. Tamina and Dastan escape with the dagger after the king dies, which Nazim needs for his plan. Nazim then puts a ransom on Dastan’s head and hires the Hassansins, a group of assassins formed to murder for the king long thought to be disbanded. Nazim finally recovers the dagger and pierces the sand glass, but Dastan stops him from activating the dagger by opening it, allowing the sands to flow freely.