~ Namratha Minupuri ’13
My Name is Khan is not at all what you’d expect from a Karan Johar extravaganza – or, for that matter, a standard-issue Bollywood melodrama. There is no overly sweet romance, no hero to save the day, and no random song and dance sequences. Instead this entire movie rides on the shoulders of the intelligent Rizwan (Shah Rukh Khan). What makes this character unique is that he is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, causing Rizwan difficulty in communicating and making relationships
My Name is Khan is inherently a simple love story between Rizwan and Mandira (Kajol). However, after 9/11, their happy home falls apart due to changed attitudes towards Muslims. This is the point where Rizwan begins his grand odyssey across America to meet President Obama and tell him: “My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist.”
The film is a refreshing breakaway from mainstream Indian cinema productions. It surprisingly yet forwardly tackles controversial issue like Hindu-Muslim relations and terrorism. And aside from the few groan-inducing Bollywood-esque instances here and there, the film does so remarkably well.
Though the entire cast of this film delivers amazing performances, it is undoubtedly Shah Rukh Khan who deserves the most praise. Shah Rukh makes the transition from the eternal romantic to the intense Rizwan who is on a quest to regain his dignity and love. You sit through three hours waiting to get a glimpse of Shah Rukh through Rizwan Khan, but it doesn’t happen.
However the film does have its pitfalls. The second half of the movie starts lagging and at least thirty minutes could have been cut. More so portions of the film are highly reminiscent of movies like Forest Gump and the Rain Man. And of course like any other Bollywood movie the audience needs to suspend reality in order to fully enjoy the film. But regardless of its pitfall My Name is Khan is most definitely worth watching. It is a skillfully made movie that brings tears with ease, while teaching important lessons about tolerance.
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