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The blockbuster had a huge opening in North America, grossing $761,000 on Sunday. It is for the first time that a Hindi-film has created such a box office record, earning so much for just one day.
People who have seen Bollywood films know that the majority of them are extravagant “Musicals” usually 3 to 4 hours in length. Most hits have the standard format of a young guy and girl who come from different walks of life and go through some kind of struggle to end up together in the end – with a few large dance and song routines in the middle of grass fields and villages in India. But “My Name is Khan” is not a typical Bollywood film. Rather, a serious one that tackles some of the tough issues such as prejudice, stereotypes, religious extremism, terrorism, security concerns and the commonality of the human condition across the world. It's quite surprising at how serious and “un-Bollywood like” the film is. And since it takes place in the U.S., with about 30 minutes of the beginning in India, a lot of the dialogue is in English, hence the subtitles for translation of the Hindi-Urdu languages! The other surprising element about the film is the fact that the star – Shah Rukh Khan, who adheres to the Islamic faith, decided to make such a film in the first place. Khan has a larger fan base across the world than any American actor. He is akin to Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington and Al Pacino, but packaged into one. Most Bollywood films stay away from religion, referencing only for a comic effect or to show some other stereotypical element. Since most Indians are hindus, the films reflect the main characters and religious ceremonies from the hindu perspective (usually). Shah Rukh Khan was born in India, but his father was Pakistani (from Peshawar), according to an interview I watched with him online here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWWBd6MD0Ew. Khan is Muslim, but he is married to a Hindu woman (similiar to the story in the film). They teach their two children both religions and do not force one religious view over the other. The father of two has played a “Muslim” character in a film before, but his character of “Rizvan Khan” is the first in which his being a Muslim is an integral part of the story. Thus, it is like he is going back to his Muslim Roots.
The King of Bollywood playing a role with a positive portrayal of Muslims, is a major historical event for Indian Cinema. It’s like Steven Speilberg's “Schindler’s List” to share his Jewish roots or Mel Gibson's “Passion of the Christ” to give a voice to his minority Catholic roots in mainstream Hollywood.
Khan has already received backlash in India because of his public support of Pakistani Cricket Players. Some Hindu Nationalist groups have threatened to ban this Bollywood blockbuster from being shown in local theaters in Mumbai in protest. WARNING SPOILERS BELOW!!! This is a shame because the film embodies the treatment of all people with respect and dignity, no matter their religion or ethnicity. Khan's character Rizvan Khan, an Indian-Muslim with Asperger’s syndrome (a type of autisim) comes to America to be close to his brother (after their mother dies in India). In the process, he befriends and falls in love with a Bay Area Indian woman named Mandira (who happens to be Hindu). Rizvan and Mandira get married and live a normal life until the attacks of Sept. 11th, 2001.
Mandira’s son Sameer is attacked in a hate crime at school. Sameer dies from his injuries and Mandira blames her marriage to a Muslim (Khan’s character) for her son’s death. Rizvan then goes across country to meet the President of the United States and explain to him that he is a Muslim, but he is not a Terrorist (a Mantra he keeps repeating throughout the film and thus the title of the movie). Of course the story is at times stretching reality and the ending is far fetched, but the process is believable because it is based on incidents that many people have gone through or experienced themselves in real life: security profiling at airports, racist and prejudiced people, as well as good people who help you get where you want to go. What is compelling about “My Name is Khan” is the way it humanizes Muslims. Of course there are extremists in the film, but the main character Rizvan is a very spiritual person and is not afraid to practice Islamic rituals in public – whether it being by reciting verses from the Holy Qur'an in a middle of a vigil for the victims of the 9/11 attacks, or by making salat (prayers) outside a truck stop while everyone (including a “normal” Muslim couple) watches him in awe.The film’s accurate portrayal of Islamic rituals and practices were impressive.
In the end “My Name is Khan” is about always having a positive attitude and never giving up on your dreams, no matter the odds stacked against you or who or what is in your way. It is also about being proud of who you are and not being prejudiced or hateful to other people just because they may come from a different background, culture or religion than you do. A very important message for both Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. I hope people learn this message of peace and understanding after watching this film. And I hope more films like “My Name is Khan” come out of Bollywood (as well as Hollywood), because we definitely need them in these trying times. I highly recommend everyone to watch the movie and tell all your friends to watch it too!
People who have seen Bollywood films know that the majority of them are extravagant “Musicals” usually 3 to 4 hours in length. Most hits have the standard format of a young guy and girl who come from different walks of life and go through some kind of struggle to end up together in the end – with a few large dance and song routines in the middle of grass fields and villages in India. But “My Name is Khan” is not a typical Bollywood film. Rather, a serious one that tackles some of the tough issues such as prejudice, stereotypes, religious extremism, terrorism, security concerns and the commonality of the human condition across the world. It's quite surprising at how serious and “un-Bollywood like” the film is. And since it takes place in the U.S., with about 30 minutes of the beginning in India, a lot of the dialogue is in English, hence the subtitles for translation of the Hindi-Urdu languages! The other surprising element about the film is the fact that the star – Shah Rukh Khan, who adheres to the Islamic faith, decided to make such a film in the first place. Khan has a larger fan base across the world than any American actor. He is akin to Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington and Al Pacino, but packaged into one. Most Bollywood films stay away from religion, referencing only for a comic effect or to show some other stereotypical element. Since most Indians are hindus, the films reflect the main characters and religious ceremonies from the hindu perspective (usually). Shah Rukh Khan was born in India, but his father was Pakistani (from Peshawar), according to an interview I watched with him online here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWWBd6MD0Ew. Khan is Muslim, but he is married to a Hindu woman (similiar to the story in the film). They teach their two children both religions and do not force one religious view over the other. The father of two has played a “Muslim” character in a film before, but his character of “Rizvan Khan” is the first in which his being a Muslim is an integral part of the story. Thus, it is like he is going back to his Muslim Roots.
The King of Bollywood playing a role with a positive portrayal of Muslims, is a major historical event for Indian Cinema. It’s like Steven Speilberg's “Schindler’s List” to share his Jewish roots or Mel Gibson's “Passion of the Christ” to give a voice to his minority Catholic roots in mainstream Hollywood.
Khan has already received backlash in India because of his public support of Pakistani Cricket Players. Some Hindu Nationalist groups have threatened to ban this Bollywood blockbuster from being shown in local theaters in Mumbai in protest. WARNING SPOILERS BELOW!!! This is a shame because the film embodies the treatment of all people with respect and dignity, no matter their religion or ethnicity. Khan's character Rizvan Khan, an Indian-Muslim with Asperger’s syndrome (a type of autisim) comes to America to be close to his brother (after their mother dies in India). In the process, he befriends and falls in love with a Bay Area Indian woman named Mandira (who happens to be Hindu). Rizvan and Mandira get married and live a normal life until the attacks of Sept. 11th, 2001.
Mandira’s son Sameer is attacked in a hate crime at school. Sameer dies from his injuries and Mandira blames her marriage to a Muslim (Khan’s character) for her son’s death. Rizvan then goes across country to meet the President of the United States and explain to him that he is a Muslim, but he is not a Terrorist (a Mantra he keeps repeating throughout the film and thus the title of the movie). Of course the story is at times stretching reality and the ending is far fetched, but the process is believable because it is based on incidents that many people have gone through or experienced themselves in real life: security profiling at airports, racist and prejudiced people, as well as good people who help you get where you want to go. What is compelling about “My Name is Khan” is the way it humanizes Muslims. Of course there are extremists in the film, but the main character Rizvan is a very spiritual person and is not afraid to practice Islamic rituals in public – whether it being by reciting verses from the Holy Qur'an in a middle of a vigil for the victims of the 9/11 attacks, or by making salat (prayers) outside a truck stop while everyone (including a “normal” Muslim couple) watches him in awe.The film’s accurate portrayal of Islamic rituals and practices were impressive.
In the end “My Name is Khan” is about always having a positive attitude and never giving up on your dreams, no matter the odds stacked against you or who or what is in your way. It is also about being proud of who you are and not being prejudiced or hateful to other people just because they may come from a different background, culture or religion than you do. A very important message for both Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. I hope people learn this message of peace and understanding after watching this film. And I hope more films like “My Name is Khan” come out of Bollywood (as well as Hollywood), because we definitely need them in these trying times. I highly recommend everyone to watch the movie and tell all your friends to watch it too!
