 Suffering from Asperger's syndrome, Rizvan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) is
detained at the San Francisco airport due to his suspicious
co-passengers. We then learn that Rizvan is on journey to meet the US
President. As the story unfolds, we get a peek in Rizvan’s life. He was
married to Mandira (Kajol) a Hindu single mother. But post 9/11 as the
way Americans started looking at Muslims changes, Mandira’s son from
first marriage Sam falls victim to a racist attack.
Shocked after
hearing the reason for his son’s murder, Mandira blames it on Rizvan
and his religion. In a fit of anger she yells at Rizvan to go away from
her and only come back after telling the US President that, “My Name Is
Khan and I am not a Terrorist.” Thus begins Rizvan’s epic journey to
meet the US President Obama to clear his name. What encounters he has
in his journey and how he finally ends up making the Americans change
their outlook towards Muslims forms the rest of the film.
The film opening with an extremely powerful scene of Shah Rukh being
pulled up for his suspicious behaviour and strip searched by rude
security officers, sets up the tone for what is in store ahead. The
first half concentrates more on the romance between Khan and Mandira
and some really heartwarming moments like Rizvan taking Mandira to a
place she has never been before in her city or childhood sequences of
Rizvan and his mother. The second half packs in a bigger punch as the
film diversifies into severe sub plots as Khan’s journey comes closer
to meeting the newly elected American President. It would spoil the fun
if we reveal more of it all here. Shibani Bathija’s script is extremely
mature and dialogues by her and Niranjan Iyengar are first rate and
applause worthy at many places. However, the last 20 minutes or so the
pace drops drastically and the film loses its grip. But nonetheless
what keeps you hooked is SRK’s act.
MNIK has been amongst the most awaited films of the year as amongst
many reasons the film has been important for being one in which Karan
Johar has discarded his usual candy floss treatment. Karan has
succeeded in his attempt and given us a film that shall remain
memorable forever for Shah Rukh Khan’s extremely endearing act. The
King Khan has successfully carried out the difficult part of enacting
an Autistic patient suffering from the Asperger’s syndrome. Completely
getting under the skin of the character, Shah Rukh has picked up every
single nuance of an Asperger’s syndrome patient without making it
appeared laboured. Matching him step by step in the acting department
is Kajol. Coming together after over 9 years the on screen star couple
proves they have no match. Kajol is nothing short of excellent in the
film. Her reaction on seeing her son’s dead body will give you goose
bumps. Jimmy Shergill and Sonia Jehan playing SRK’s brother and bhabhi
are perfectly cast. Tanay Chedda remembered for his roles in Taare
Zameen Par and Slumdog Millionaire is outstanding playing the young
Rizvan. Zareena Wahab in a short part leaves a very strong impression.
All the American actors are just perfect for their parts. Arif Zakaria,
Sumeet Raghavan, Anuj Mathur, Parveen Dabas, Navneet Nishan and
Sugandha Garg have small but significant roles and they don’t
disappoint. The two boys playing Sam are very good.
Technically the film is completely on par with any ‘A grade
Hollywood product’ with outstanding camerawork by Ravi K Chandran and
editing by Deepa Bhatia. Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music elevates the film
to a completely new level. With no lip sync numbers, the songs don’t
act as speed breakers but carry the story forward.
My Name Is Khan will prove to be a landmark film in the careers of
Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan and of course Kajol. It’s a film with a
strong message and is yet very entertaining at the same time. The film
actually delivers more than one expected it to. Protests or no protests
you will be a fool to miss this one. Go watch it!!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5*
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Jimmy Shergill, Sonia Jehan
Director: Karan Johar
Sampurn Media
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