The Name Is Khan, Rizwan Khan (My Name Is Khan – Movie Review)
Posted by Chanda Gohrani on February 16, 2010
After I had watched ‘New York’, I was wondering what ‘Kurbaan’ and ‘My Name Is Khan’ would be like? And once I watched ‘Kurbaan’, I felt I am done with the ‘How Muslims were affected after 9/11 in USA’ movies untill I watched ‘My Name Is Khan’.
What really differentiates this movie from the other two is, it doesn’t show the Muslims (hero) thriving upon taking revenge with the rest of the America. In fact, here the main protagonist, Rizwan Khan(Shah Rukh Khan) helps the people of the same country when they are stuck in Katrina hurricane. People whom he helped are also Americans and people who killed his son just because he was a Muslim were also Americans. But Rizwan knows anyone shouldn’t judge people on the basis of their country, caste or colour, as his Ammi taught him there are only two types of people in this world: Good and bad.
Floored by his simplicity, a single mother with a kid, Mandira Rathore (Kajol) marries him and is more than happy to become Mandira Khan. They were living happily ever until 9/11 happened, when all the Muslims were looked down as terrorists in USA, Rizwan is also abandoned by his wife and he starts an extraordinary journey (of close to a decade) to tell the world that although his name is Khan, he is not a terrorist.
It’s always a pleasure to see SRK-Kajol on-screen. Okay, I know that was an understatement. This made-for-each-other-on-screen-couple have given one more extra ordinary performance. It is very difficult to say who has outdone whom in acting. Both are marvellous! The story/direction screenplay everything is right in place for the first two hours. I really would have given this movie a 5/5 if it had not been too melodramatic in the end. The last scene is really not done! I wish the director (Karan Johar) had shown different ways through which President gets Khan’s message.
The music of the movie is quite good too. Sajda has been picturised very well.
On the whole, the movie has a great entertainment value and gives out an excellent social message. You really pity humanity with moist eyes when you notice Muslims=Terrorists in America. This movie might not be Kajol-SRK or Karan’s best till date, but it definitely is the best when it comes to ‘The 9/11 after effects on Muslims’ movies.
Rating: 4/5
My Name Is Khan
Alex said
Let me get this straight. It was only AFTER 9-11 that Muslims were looked upon as terrorists in America?
This totally misrepresents what happened in America. I was there (and still am). There were a few days of some vandalism after 9-11 and a handful of violent incidents but that was about it. I am not staying that a Muslim in America won’t get the occasional nasty comment but as for real persecution it doesn’t happen much. And whenever there is even the hint of it you have the ACLU and CAIR there to make a big deal about it.
Chloe Liscio said
This is an interesting point, i think there are a lot of things to discuss in the future…
Chi Andrea said
Y’know I’m inclined to disagree with you on this one, I think it’s great, but then again, different strokes for different folks!
Pradip said
ummm well really I didn’t like da movie.. kinda fed up of religious movies.. and regional or religion targeting movies like Singh is king or khan. I am waiting for kartik calling kartik lets see
and this another movie by my friend.. Thanks Maa…an Independent movie.. releasing all over
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Rahul Dwivedi said
I would say 3/5…coz 1. i liked the concept…2. The kid was so sweet.