Review of My Name Is Khan (2010) by Roxanne R — 26 Sep 2010

Although this movie was a bit melodramatic, it does a great job hitting the target dead on. It crushes the most popular post-9/11 prejudices of our times which is that while most global terrorists may be Muslims - all Muslims arenâ??t terrorists. And that no religion, including Islam, preaches violence against the innocent. The hero and protagonist Rizwan Khan (played by Shah Rukh) , a devoted believer, quotes the Prophet from the Koran, â??With the loss of one innocent life, dies humanity alongside.â?? He sees worldwide consequences of September 11, 2001, under that same light. Basically he grew up around the 1983 riots in Bombay. He has a younger brother. When their mother passed away he moved to be with his brother in the US. Unfortunately for Khan he suffers from Aspergerâ??s syndrome. Few know this condition well. Khan appears to have a problem dealing with crowded spaces, yellow color, intimate hugs, expressing emotions, or voluntarily reacting to common external stimuli. His cognitive skills though â?? grasp of factual knowledge -- seem much superior to normal humans. He becomes a salesman working with his brother who is a top salesman for skin products. During his sales pitches he meets a lovely Hindu widow with a child. Film continues from that point and it has wonderful highs and devastating lows where Khan is forced to take a journey across America with the mission of telling the President of the USA an important message: MY NAME IS KHAN AND I AM NOT A TERRORIST.

Great acting by Shah Rukh and Kajol. This is a thought provoking film that clearly depicts how prejudices are part of human DNA regardless of your nationality. How 9/11 impacted our lives and increased hatred against Muslims, and how two people can make amends after a tragic event in their lives. You WILL cheer for Khan along the way! Highly recommended and its part of my private collecion!