My Name is Khan (Johar, 2009)

[sandeep]

The box office smash team of Karan Johar, SRK and Kajol is back after giving hits like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham...

"My Name Is Khan" is about a Muslim who suffers from the Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that impacts social interaction abilities, and he is arrested as a suspected terrorist in post-9/11 Los Angeles after authorities mistake his disability for suspicious behaviour.

[sandeep]

A very different synopsis of the story has emerged from this article:

Fox Star Studios signs deal with Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2009/08/06/13146/index.html

My Name Is Khan tells a heartwarming story of a Muslim man from India (played by SRK) living in San Francisco and how he embarks on a remarkable journey across the United States inspiring people and inviting debate, creating an accidental revolution.

[shariqq]

Sounds bad either way. I'm sure, even with autism, his character is an excellent singer+dancer.

[fizz]

MUMBAI (Reuters) – Indian Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan said he felt angry and humiliated after he was detained and questioned at a U.S. airport, sparking an uproar in India among his fans.

Khan, 43, one of India's best known actors, was enroute to Chicago for a parade to mark the Indian independence day on Saturday when he was pulled aside at Newark airport Friday, he said.

"I was really hassled perhaps because of my name being Khan. These guys just wouldn't let me through," he said in a text message to reporters in India.

After a couple of hours' interrogation, he was allowed to make a call, he said, and he got in touch with the Indian consulate who vouched for him and secured his release.

"Absolutely uncalled for, I think. I felt angry and humiliated," said Khan, who had just finished a month-long shoot in the United States for his upcoming film "My Name is Khan," which is about a Muslim man's experience with racial profiling.

A U.S. consul official in India told a television channel they were inquiring into the matter.

As news of Khan's detention broke on Indian television channels, which have played up attacks in Australia on Indian students, fans and actors began posting angry comments on the Internet.

"Shocking, disturbing n downright disgraceful. It's such behavior that fuels hatred and racism. SRK's a world figure for God's sake. Get real!!," tweeted actor Priyanka Chopra.
Indian Information Minister Ambika Soni told a television station that while she could not say if Khan had been detained "on religious grounds, there have been too many instances like these in the U.S. concerning Indians."

Last month U.S-based carrier Continental Airlines apologized to former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for frisking him at New Delhi airport.

[ozzylogic]

That reminds me of the scene from Harold & Kumar II

[shariqq]

Publicity stunt. The hamster's been to the US many times every year. He gets stopped (and it gets reported) just in time to promote his new film. He also doesn't fail to mention that he was stopped due to his last name. So what is the movie called again?

I wish he were doing a movie called something like I Spit On Your Grave.

[sandeep]

I dont think a 2 hour extended questioning will get him any publicity, its the whole anti-muslim thing thats caught on. My friend was denied a uk visa after having an existing 5 year visa which was running out because of the same reason. They are targeting muslims and profiling them, its not about publicity, its about a real fact which is out there... accept it...

[sandeep]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Dont-feel-like-stepping-on-American-soil-any-more-Shahrukh/articleshow/4898395.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Im-angry-humiliated-Shah-Rukh/articleshow/4897145.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/My-name-is-Khan-Too-bad-SRK-feels-the-heat-of-American-paranoia/articleshow/4897426.cms

[sandeep]

After all the controversy associated with this film, its finally out... running to packed cinemas throughout the city, everyone wants to see what is Karan Johar's newest offering.

Some reflections:

Karan Johar has grown up, that's for sure. He has taken on a theme well outside his forte, and done well with it.

SRK has done many films, more than 70, but few performances stand out. Swades, Chak de, and above all My Name is Khan. He plays an adult who has asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, extremely well. His body language, eye contact, speech, stride, everything has changed and remains consistent throughout the film. His control on emotions and reactions to certain situations further cements his performance. Personally, for me , this is his best to date!

Kajol is dramatic, refreshed, fitter and more mature... well suited and the pair has a different but powerful chemistry.

A host of characters provide able support, and a large time frame and its events are covered in detail, which makes the film seem long, though its not.

Music: 4 songs, all amazing, soulful, excellent lyrics and melody!

Direction: Karan approaches the topic with sincerity, balance, an unbiased and important message.

Overall: Recommended film, especially in the current scenario

4/5

[shariqq]

One of my friends walked out mid-way. Another friend has suggested me to steer clear. I guess it depends on what kind of cinema a person is into. I'm not into sappy, emotional melodramas, and neither do I like the director-actor duo, so I'll skip this.

[animatedude]

any idea why this is getting all the attention? im not familiar with Bollywood movies therefore i don't know what's the hype is all about.

in the UAE,it just broke the record for the biggest opening for Bollywood movie by selling 135,858 tickets! that's a lot.
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/581827-my-name-is-khan-breaks-uae-box-office-record

in Bahrain,usually if a movie is big,they play it in 2 screens...maximum 3 screens but that's rare.My name is Khan is playing in SIX screens!!!   this is the first time in Bahrain history something like this happens.and guess what? they are dropping the ticket prices for this movie to 2 BD.
http://danacinema.com/showmovie.asp?m_id=868

and this doesn't include the fact it's playing in other cinemas around Bahrain
http://www.bccmovies.com/html-movieinfo.asp?movie=9465

[ayaa1977]

any idea why this is getting all the attention? im not familiar with Bollywood movies therefore i don't know what's the hype is all about.

in the UAE,it just broke the record for the biggest opening for Bollywood movie by selling 135,858 tickets! that's a lot.
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/581827-my-name-is-khan-breaks-uae-box-office-record

in Bahrain,usually if a movie is big,they play it in 2 screens...maximum 3 screens but that's rare.My name is Khan is playing in SIX screens!!!   this is the first time in Bahrain history something like this happens.and guess what? they are dropping the ticket prices for this movie to 2 BD.
http://danacinema.com/showmovie.asp?m_id=868

It is so big because the star is the biggest of India, OK one of the biggest. The director is one of the biggest commercial directors in Bollywood (think Brett Ratner). The star/starlet duo made a few of the biggest blockbuster of all time together, one of the films they made is playing non-stop in a Mumbai cinema since 1995. To top it all, it was hyped and proceeded by controversy for a year or so since the humiliating treatment of Shahrukh Khan in a US airport last year.  Finally there was no big Bollywood release since Xmas time when 3 Idiots was released, those factors all may explain it.

[shariqq]

The director is one of the biggest commercial directors in Bollywood (think Brett Ratner).

LOL!! Ayaa, you da man!

[ayaa1977]

The director is one of the biggest commercial directors in Bollywood (think Brett Ratner).

LOL!! Ayaa, you da man!

It is true. Listen, I enjoyed all their films together, I really did. But they are as sappy and melodramas as it gets, and I am aware and fine with that. Just don't tell my wife, cause she adores Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, and she might kill me if she heard me badmouthing them, lol.   

[sandeep]

Hilarious take on MNIK

(contains spoilers - entire story actually)

http://www.thevigilidiot.com/