In a film industry that has gained worldwide renown for being all about the song and dance, it is but natural for material to be recycled. And unlike the west, which despite its many flaws has both an admirable respect for the concept of copyright and conscience enough to credit a remake, over here, we just call it “inspiration”. After the shameless rip-off of I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (Dostana, 2008), which coincidentally was a huge commercial success, Karan Johar had a very good last year as producer, rolling out two strikingly dissimilar but similarly fresh films in Wake Up Sid and Kurbaan. He continues his roll this year, with his own directorial feature My Name is Khan, and ignoring his glaring shortcomings as a director, needs to be applauded for this effort to at least find new settings and formats for the retelling of his trademark love stories.
Similar to the first person narrative style of his directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, My Name is Khan is a story heard through the tongue of the Asperger’s-afflicted Rizwan Khan, who journeys across half the world and then through the breadth of another continent, to say as we’ve all heard or read somewhere, “My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist”. After watching the uninspiring trailers, and the edited, overly precious shots of Shahrukh playing Khan, I did not walk into the cinema expecting much from this seemingly gimmicky film. I walked out surprised though, and pleasantly for the most part. In a polarized world, where the line of demarcation is clearly becoming religion even over race, the intent of MNIK is noble. To its credit, unlike the also well intentioned Delhi 6 last year, this film manages to build on its premise more effectively. In a nutshell, the story is in the form of a question: Are the world and its inhabitants so far gone that you are not allowed an individual persona that may be separate from your religious affiliations?
My Name is Khan has many stories, and many Khans, in spite of what the titular protagonist may have you believing. There is Raziya Khan, the mother who brought up her son believing in him with faith and pride, and who ignored the rest of the world as she single-handedly taught him all that is right and just, even till her death. There is Zakir Khan, the under-appreciated but well loved younger brother, and Haseena Khan, his college professor wife, who are traditionalist Muslims but loyal family. There are Mandira and Sameer Khan, the mother and son who find a place in their lives for another, who seek love and happiness and the feeling of home. And there are the thousands of unnamed people, who in brief moments of time, Johar introduces us to, if only to show us the impact this Khan has on them. Independently, most of these stories, and most of these people, are interesting, but together, in this ambitious screenplay written by Shibani Bathija, none of the stories develop to real fruition.
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Article comments
1 - Mukesh
MNIK........Bakwas Film.....folp film ever with kajol n sharukh
2 - rahela
The movie is fantastic. I wish all were as simple and sweet as Rizwan (character played by shahrukh my favourite. ) Shahrukh rocks.......he deserves oscar.
3 - VINAYAK
BAKWAAAAAAAAAAAS FILM
4 - rados
Its one of the best films ever made on the aftermaths of 9/11...and Shah Rukh Khan has proved that he has a wide range as an actor too. Very touching and honest film!
5 - Tanzeel
A failed attempt to copy Pakistani movie "Khuda kay liye"
6 - ali kavungal
i watch the movie valentines day with my girl frnd,we do enjoy the film,fantastic,SRK nd KJL r rocking,GOD blsss FRM MAK
7 - shoaib khan
this movie is fantestic ,srk acts beautyful ,karan johar this is urs best movie ever, this movie is about muslims therefor indans and also goras they didn't like this movie as my friend mukesh and vinayak mentioned above ..i m pakistani (city pano akil) and my name is shoaib khan and i m not a terrorist..
8 - Vishal Mittal
"My name is Khan" is awesome but sometimes it scks.My friend Shoib is confused what he wrote in his comments,this movie is not abt Indians or Goras,.its all about humanity,.it pictures abt the reailty all ppl suffer from whether Sikh ,Hindu,Muslim and christian.If my friend watch this movie carefully and with netural mind from religious point of view.,he will get right message from movie,.,overall I want to say Dont behave like the DR. in the movie was trying to ...
Thanx my frnds
9 - Mohammad Tahir
Shah Rukh Khan's movise "My Name Is khan" is an outstanding movie. Particulrly his meesage of humanity and following the practices of religion is amazing, conveyed with simlivity but very strongly, particulrly the way he very rightfully said about Namaz. A must see movie for all peace loving people and particularly Muslims.Wee done SRK , keep up your good work.
10 - ss
its awesome...........
11 - Vishal Mittal
Yes my Friend Mohd. Tahir is right....cheers
12 - gara , shivam and pd
SRK IS THE BEST HE DID GOOD JOB. WE LOVE HIM
13 - ku M..
i do agree that this is one of the best film by SRK...but the obvious thing to mention here as not to confuse people all around the world especially non-muslim who recently put their effort to learn islam is that,,a muslim is prohibited in any way to marry a non-muslim until the non-muslim becomes muslim at least by pronouncing "Syahadah"..a wording that refers to a confession of a muslim that Allah is the only God to be worshiped and Prophet Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah...but however.."my name is Khan and i'm not a terrorist" is very positive quotation that has to do with humanity..