Movie Review: My Name Is Khan

I will try and keep this review completely objective and unbiased, none of the SRK-worshipping I am dying to do!

At the same time, I do need to make some more generic statements before I get to the movie itself. SRK is not just an actor, he represents the new, bold, aggressive India. Millions of young Indians the world over identify with his struggles, listen to his every word, and aspire to be like him. He represents dreams, and unlimited opportunities. A world of possibilities.

When SRK did a Chak De, it led to a serious revival of fortunes for our national game!

And today, with MNIK, SRK takes an extremely big step, taking India and Indians to the world stage like never before. A movie that couldn't be more relevant to the world today, a message desperately needed, a message that should be lapped up by every human being.

For me, MNIK wasn't just a movie. It was a life-changing experience. An experience whose lessons will remain with me all my life - my name is Khan and I am not a terorist.

And when liberal minded, educated, fairly secular guys like me can take so much from the movie, I can only imagine the wonders it can do to this world.

OK, now to the movie.

Rizwan Khan, an autistic with Asperger's syndrome, is on a mission to meet the President of the United States - to tell him that he is a Khan, and he is not a terrorist. To understand why, roll back a few years.

Rizwan Khan comes to America, sponsored by his younger brother. He meets and falls in love with Mandira, a single mother, and marries her. Life's perfect, and the family is complete. Until 9/11. As America struggles to cope with the tragedy, the Khans bear the burnt of racial hatred, and lose their son. And though he doesn't understand why being Muslim is a crime, Mandira has had enough. Get out of my life, she pleads with him. When do I come back, he asks her, in all his innocence. Go and tell the President, she says, that you are not a terrorist, and neither was Sam. He was just a baby, my baby.

Will he succeed in his mission?

Karan and SRK take the audience into an amazing journey through the United States, exploring its facets in a wonderful bouquet of experiences - seen through the childish innocence of Rizwan Khan. SRK plays a devout Muslim, but unlike his Chak De character, is very upcoming about what it means to be one. Namaz included. A wonderful introduction to "true" Islam, this one will make you see Muslims in a very different light!

There are some amazing moments in the movie, moments that will make you laugh, and cry, moments that are impossible not to get overwhelmed by. The "We will overcome" sequence in the church, the strip search at the airport, the sequence where Rizwan proposes to Mandira and makes a deal and the moment she proposes to him, are some of the very best.

The music is beautiful, a limited but wonderful set of numbers that just add so much to the movie. The songs aren't just relevant, but such an integral part of the screenplay, the movie wouldn't be the same without them. Karan doesn't just use background score, he takes the screenplay to a completely new level with it.

SRK puts in his best performance to date, going so far beyond the showman, letting the actor in him do the talking. From the gait to the flirting, unfocussed eyes, the blunt but innocent dialogues, the effect is mesmerizing. And Kajol, WOW... she looks so, so beautiful. Their chemistry is electric, they look so good together. Check the final sequence in Tere Naina, I can watch that over and over again, millions of times, and not have enough of it!

A beautiful movie, with a beautiful message, yet never getting heavy or philosophical, this is one movie you just cannot, cannot afford to miss.

I am gonna watch it at least a dozen times, 4 down, 8 more to go :)