Farhan Sadiq
I never met a man having the title Islamic terrorist. I don’t know how their behavior is, how they act with their surrounding people or how they look like, but I experienced a man who help the helpless, say his prayer regularly, responsible to other religions and believe in God (who can rescue a man from any danger). Does all these characteristics match with a Islamic terrorist? But he was saying “My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist.”
Yes you are right, I am talking about Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johor’s latest film “My name is Khan”. Karan and SRK made some blockbuster films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hay, Kabhi Khusi Kabhi Gum, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Albida Na Kehna etc. But all these films have a common character – all are emotional romantic films. But this latest one is a little bit different from others. SRK tried to establish a character of a Muslim Autistic person who holds some extraordinary features.
The context of this film is nine-eleven when some terrorist attacked twin tower. The situation that arouse after this event in USA is exposed in this film. Muslims were identified as terrorists or associates of terrorists. All Muslims were seen in the eye of suspicion. Their Hijab, beard, name became a burden for them. They were bound to remove these feature, from then, even Muslims started to change their names. What are you thinking? Are these conditions matching with some of Hollywood films on 2nd World War where Jews were portrait as ‘good for nothing’ and all were destroyed by Hitler’s Nazi? Situation is seen worse than that in this film.
SRK and Kajol had to lose their only child – who was the life saving element for Kajol when his first husband left her. SRK as a Muslim had to be tortured as a terrorist when going to meet with US president, calling for Justice and punishment for his son’s murder.
Let’s analyze the film – Karan is obviously a good filmmaker. He has proved it in his earlier films. But the style of telling the story is not good enough I think. In a short duration a lot of circumstances are shown – that may be a reason. Music are too much imposing. A true and real emotion can be created even without any music (No country for old man is a perfect example) Music could be better. But I must say, some direction of photography was really good – especially the shots at beginning and the landscapes.
SRK can perform better than this – his behavior as a Autistic could be better. Close observations, and a long time to perceive and go through this character deeply was needed. Kajol – well done. Portraying George Bush was good but Barak Obama was not enough.
Now come to the point of choosing this film for the readers. This film represents what is going on around us. Situation turned us to experiences a massacre in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and now in Pakistan. How can you be sure that it can’t be happened in Bangladesh or other developing countries? May be the process will be like this – ban your Islamic channels, media, create misconceptions in people minds. How can you be sure that your sister or daughter will not face a trouble that SRK’s brother’s wife faced as she was wearing Hijab? All the solutions are given in the film. Explore and discover it. I think this will help you con conquer even your best enemy’s favor.