Writer/Director: Karan Johar
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Jimmy Shergil
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Few actresses in Bollywood pour their soul into movies like Kajol. Since her stardom in the 1990’s, Kajol has proven to be one of the best actresses in the film industry. Whether it’s students, lower class housekeepers or blind lovers, Kajol has depicted many strong characters. Arguably, Kajol’s strength as an actress is her abilities to portray powerful feminist characters through her larger than life presence. An actress that has a strong legacy in India, Kajol has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Through her ability to pour her heart and soul into every role, Kajol has become an iconic actress whose films give audiences a goal. She has always been one of those rare actresses which has the abilities to portray characters in a wide range of genres. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Kajol has scarcely lost her interest making engaging entertainment. Throughout her long-lasting career, Kajol has made many movies that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Kajol and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “My Name is Khan” definitely stands out as her most meaningful film. Released in 2010, Karan Johar’s movie provided a compelling portrait of terrorism that’s faced by families in America. Packed with breathtaking music, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s an incredible Indian terrorism drama. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Kajol, who embodies a woman whose life is affected by terrorism which is out of control. Ultimately, what makes “My Name is Khan” a masterpiece is message. The film delivers a bold message about Islamophobia which would resonates with everyone. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses themes that everyone will relate to. A bold 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 a story of a Muslim man embarking upon a journey to prove he isn’t a terrorist in America. Shah Rukh Khan embodies Rizwan Khan, a Muslim man that has Asperger’s Syndrome. Khan’s dream is to find a home by settling down in America. Khan’s dreams come true when he falls in love with Mandira (Kajol), a hairdresser that lives in San Francisco. Living together, Khan and Mandira soon marry each other with a hope of bright future. However, the couples’ dreams are destroyed following a painful aftermath of 9/11. A series of truly terrifying events which involve Islamophobia impact Khan’s dreams to build a family in America. When he is wrongfully accused of being a terrorist, Khan embarks upon a journey to meet with president of the United States. Faced with a big dilemma, Khan begins to question whether he would 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 created “My Name is Khan”, Johar had never made a movie about terrorism before. A world-famous filmmaker in India, Johar was famous for his romantic films. With “My Name is Khan”, however, the director 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 difficult Aspergers in America. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. Johar successfully 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 with the bright sight of the colour yellow. One appreciates point of view shots capturing the viewpoint of a man with Asperger’s syndrome. Through these strong POV shots, Johar captures hardships which individuals with Autism always go through. Point of view shots are tricky techniques to employ in Indian movies. Nevertheless, they work immensely in this film. Using stunning visuals, Johar captures hardships Muslims in America are facing.
Another aspect of “My Name is Khan” worth praising is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is well made. Johar has excelled staging music scenes in films, and “My Name is Khan” is truly no different. Johar effectively employs real-life locations across America to construct extraordinary musical sequences. For instance, the real-life U.S. locales elevate the “Noor e Khuda” music sequence. During this heartbreaking scene, Khan embarks on a road trip across America to meet the president after family’s life has become destroyed by Islamophobia. Through captivating music numbers, Johar captures tense 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 frightening hardships Muslims in America face with fear. Through excellent production-design, Johar captures lives of Muslims which decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “My Name is Khan” is a captivating Indian classic which is breathtaking. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully utilizes flashbacks to capture the tensions faced by Muslims that are living in post 9/11 America. Throughout the film, Johar effectively uses flashbacks to capture tension experienced by Muslims in India. Johar successfully uses flashbacks to capture tension experienced by Muslims in post 9/11 America. The movie deftly switches back and forth between two timelines: Khan’s present-day experience on a journey to meet president of America and flashbacks of his tragic past. For instance, the strong flashbacks enhance the bus ride scene. During this scene, Khan recounts his joyous memories of meeting Mandira for the first time before their life was destroyed by a terrifying terrorist disaster. One appreciates flashbacks capturing grim hardships Muslim men in America go through. Flashbacks are complex techniques to use in Bollywood. As Rajkumar Hirani’s “3 Idiots” claimed clearly, flashbacks enhance movies about college. Nevertheless, it works for immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Johar captures Islamophobia which comes with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kajol delivers one of her best performances as Mandira. Kajol first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in Bollywood movies. With “My Name is Khan”, however, the actress took on her most complex role. It’s not easy to portray a woman impacted by terrorism causing trauma in America, but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in the past before: tense, emotional and vulnerable in her most brave role. With riveting expressions, she conveys the angst, bravery and resentments faced by a woman whose life is impacted by grim terrorism causing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the best actresses working in India today.
Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular as a Muslim man with Asperger’s syndrome struggling to cope with 9/11. Khan has always excelled at playing romantic heroes in Bollywood films. With “My Name is Khan”, the actor had the chances to step out of his comfort zone by playing a man with disabilities. Whether he is claiming he is not a terrorist or seeking to win over affection of Mandira, Khan uses his body language to play a disabled hero that is compelling. It’s a brilliant performance by one of the most commemorated actors that is in Bollywood today.
Finally, “My Name is Khan” is a film that will gain appreciation of everyone for capturing grim hardships of 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 that would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Indian Cinema to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about the grim danger of Islamophobia which will truly resonate with everyone. Therefore, “My Name is Khan” is one of those rare Indian films that everyone will adore.
Fans of Kajol will absolutely love “My Name is Khan” and so would audiences seeking heartbreaking entertainment. An incredible Indian drama, it honours an actress that is beloved in India.
Nearly 16 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about a Muslim man living in America that’s affected by terrorism causing trauma, it’s a riveting reminder of a beloved Indian actress with charisma that has starred in memorable films throughout her impressive career which are celebrated in India.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 