Writer/Director: Karan Johar
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Jimmy Shergil
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Few filmmakers in Bollywood are as celebrated as Karan Johar. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Johar has transformed into one of the finest filmmakers in the Bollywood film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, housekeepers or terrorists in dangers, Johar has proven he can make movies about strong characters. Arguably, Johar’s finest strength as a filmmaker has always been his courage. He is one of those filmmakers that has never been afraid of tackling tough subjects which are associated with taboos in India such as infertility. Johar’s ability to tackle controversial subject matter in an accessible manner has made him an outstanding Indian filmmaker. Through his abilities to craft movies which are compelling, Johar has left behind a legacy which is lasting. A celebrated legend in India, Johar has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Despite facing personal issues in his career, Johar has never lost a lifelong love for making strong entertainment. Throughout his long-lasting career, Johar has created several unforgettable films which are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Johar and adore all the films he has made throughout his career. However, “My Name is Khan” definitely stands out the most. Released in 2010, Karan Johar’s movie depicted the life of a Muslim man wrongfully accused of terrorism in America. With his most courageous movie, Johar tackled the sensitive subject of Islamophobia faced by Muslims that live in America. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood films ever made. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies the life of a Muslim man wrongfully accused of terrorism in America. Ultimately, what makes “My Name is Khan” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a universal message about dangers of Islamophobia which would definitely resonate with everyone. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses universal themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece about terrorism, there are several reasons why “My Name is Khan” is a movie that is definitely worth watching.
“My Name is Khan” tells the story of a Muslim man embarking on a journey to prove he’s not a terrorist in America. Shah Rukh Khan plays Rizwan Khan, a Muslim man that suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome. Khan’s dream is to find home settling down in America. Khan’s dream comes true when he falls in love with Mandira (Kajol), a hairdresser in San Francisco. Seeking to live together, Khan and Mandira marry each other with the hope of bright future. However, the couples’ dreams are destroyed following a painful aftermath of 9/11. A series of traumatic events involving Islamophobia impact Khan’s dreams to build a family in America. When he’s wrongfully accused of being a terrorist, Khan embarks on a journey to meet the president of the United States. Faced with a dilemma, Khan begins to question whether he will be able to find happiness living in a country which is filled with Islamophobia.
Karan Johar is a newcomer towards themes of terrorism. Before he made “My Name is Khan”, Johar had never made a political movie about terrorism before. A world-famous filmmaker in India, Johar was famous for his romantic films. With “My Name is Khan”, however, Khan made his first terrorism drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers which are endured by Muslims in America, but he pulled it off successfully. Using bold cinematography, Johar captures the journey of a man suffering from Aspergers syndrome in America. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. Johar expertly uses point-of-view shots to capture the life of a Muslim man with Aspergers syndrome. For instance, the point of view shots elevate the traffic light scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Khan struggles to cross a traffic light being disturbed by a sight of the colour yellow. One admires point of view shots capturing the viewpoint of a man with Asperger’s syndrome. Through these meaningful point of view shots, Johar captures hardships that individuals with Autism always go through. Point of view shots are tricky techniques to use in Indian movies. As Nitesh Tiwari’s “Dangal” suggested, point-of-view shots elevate movies about wrestling. Nevertheless, they work immensely in this film. Through breathtaking visuals, Johar creates a powerful portrait of Autism which proves to be engaging.
Another strong aspect of “My Name is Khan” worth praising is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Johar has always excelled staging musical sequences in movies, and “My Name is Khan” is no exception. Johar effectively uses real-life locations across America to construct compelling musical sequences. For instance, the real-life locales elevate the “Noor e Khuda” musical sequence. During this powerful scene, Khan embarks on a road trip across America to meet the president after his family’s life has been destroyed by Islamophobia. One admires the locations showcasing hardships endured by Muslims in America. Through strong music numbers, Johar captures the hardships which Muslims in America endure. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing grim hardships Muslims in America face with fear. Through excellent production-design, Johar captures lives of Muslims which decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “My Name is Khan” is a captivating Indian classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully utilizes flashbacks to capture the tensions faced by Muslims living in post 9/11 America. Throughout the film, Johar effectively uses flashbacks to capture tension faced by Muslims in India. Johar successfully uses a flashback structure to capture tension endured by Muslims in post 9/11 America. The movie deftly switches back and forth between two timelines: Khan’s present-day experience embarking on a journey to meet the president of America and flashbacks of his tragic past. For instance, the strong flashbacks enhance the bus ride scene. During this unforgettable scene, Khan recounts his joyous memories of meeting Mandira for the first time before their life was destroyed by a terrorist disaster. One admires flashbacks capturing grim hardships Muslim men in America commonly go through. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to employ in films. As Rajkumar Hirani’s “3 Idiots” claimed clearly, flashbacks elevate films about college students. Nevertheless, it works for immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Johar captures the hardships experienced by Muslims in America that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest performances as Rizwan Khan. Khan earned appreciation for playing star-crossed lovers in classic romantic dramas. With “My Name is Khan”, however, he took on his most solemn role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a Muslim man which is wrongfully accused of terrorism in America, but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures angst, desperation and frustration of a Muslim struggling to cope with the catastrophic aftermath of 9/11 causing trauma in America. It’s a powerful performance by one of the greatest actors working in India today.
Kajol is phenomenal as a woman struggling to cope with the aftermath of 9/11 which causes her family to crumble. Although Khan gets the showier role, Kajol is also equally excellent as a woman whose life spirals out of control. It’s a role that gave Kajol as a chance to showcase her charisma as an iconic actress in Bollywood cinema. As Mandira, Kajol showcased an emotional vulnerability that audiences hadn’t seen before. Whether she’s cheerfully flirting with Khan or mourning the loss of her son causing trauma, Kajol effectively uses body language to capture a woman struggling to deal with the traumatic aftermath of 9/11 in America. It’s an excellent performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working in India today.
Finally, “My Name is Khan” is a film that will gain appreciation of everyone for capturing hardships faced by Muslims living in post 9/11 America. Unlike most Bollywood movies, the film tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. The film discusses universal themes including identity, discrimination and terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Indian Cinema to appreciate it. It delivers a heartwarming message about the danger posed by Islamophobia which will resonate with everyone. As a Muslim that has encountered Islamophobia following 9/11, I related deeply to the movie’s message. Therefore, “My Name is Khan” is one of those rare Indian films that everyone will adore.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan will definitely appreciate “My Name is Khan” and so will movie-goers seeking heartbreaking entertainment. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece about terrorism, it celebrates a legendary filmmaker in Bollywood that has achieved stardom.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about Muslim men facing challenging Islamophobia seeking to prove they aren’t terrorists that are terrifying, it’s a compelling reminder about a legendary filmmaker that gained a massive following achieving stardom through his abilities to tackle controversial topics leaving behind a lasting legacy which is definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 