Review of My Name Is Khan (2010) by Salah S — 31 Oct 2014

Sharukh Khan Stars in yet Another Bollywood Film.

My Name is Khan stands out against the typical Indian movie. It does not focus solely on a budding romance or a testosterone filled fight fest. My Name is Khan beautifully meshes many movie genres. It contains romance, drama, action, and a deeper message; which allows the movie to appeal to a wider audience. The movie tells a thrilling story of the plight of a Muslim and his family after 9/11 and opens the world's eye to the injustice and need for peace. Peace not just between Muslims and the world but peace between all races and all religions.

Sharukh Khan, usually premiering in feel-good romantic comedies or high intensity action films, takes on a heavier role to which he seems to have no trouble adjusting. Sharukh Khan plays a man with devout faith and autism who is both laughed at and feared by society. He captures the emotions of every viewer and compels their undying support throughout his unjustifiably difficult life. Throughout the movie, he journeys to clear his name and transcend religious tensions after 9/11 drives a wedge in his family as well as the world. Khan says in the movie that "there are two types of people in this world: good people and bad people." Sharukh Khan's character refuses to distinguish between Hindus and Muslims and whites and blacks. He looks past a person's appearance and religious background and sees their character. My Name is Khan works to knock down the walls that the world has built up and to encourage world unity throughout race and religion.

Karan Johar, famous Bollywood director, did a great job as always but his work in this film was quite different. The characters do not break out into songs every five minutes and show off the dance moves they probably spent weeks learning. This Karan Johar film does not possess the same pizzazz as some of his other movies such as Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani or Hasse to Phasse. While there was some sing song romance at the beginning, the movie was primarily done with a more serious tone than most Bollywood hits.

This movie will leave the audience glued to their seat waiting for more. It's heart-tugging and heart-warming but most of all, it allows the viewer to see the world through a different scope. Through the harsh reality of the plot and the constant adversities thrown at Khan, the film leaves no stone unturned and opens the viewer's eye to the hidden effects of 9/11 and the importance of worldwide unity. By attacking this serious issue, My Name is Khan strays from the Bollywood cliche and stands out as a unique movie of its industry.