My Name is KHAN _ MNIK _ Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol
- 20 days ago
My Name is Khan, introduces us to a global, multicultural theme from the
perspective of an innocent Muslim in the horror of the post-9/11 United States.
Victimized for being autistic in his native India, Rizvan Khan also faces the
perennial violence and hate generated by the anti-Muslim pogroms there. While
an impressionable child, his mother, Razia Khan, teaches him a very profound
ethical lesson - that irrespective of caste, class, race, religion, or ethnicity, there
are only two kinds of people - good ones who do good deeds, and bad ones who
do bad deeds.
After immigrating to the United States, Rizvan works as a salesman for his
brother Zakir Khan’s herbal beauty products company. Due to his strong work
ethic, he is able to enjoy the benefits of the American Dream. Despite opposition
from his brother, he marries a Hindu divorcee, Mandira, who has a 6-year old son,
Sameer, and becomes part of her family. They work hard, lead a happy life, and
are well integrated into a multicultural community.
After the tragic events of 9/11 Rizvan’s whole world turns upside down.
Due to prejudice, Mandira's customers abandon her beauty salon and she is forced
to close and seek work elsewhere. 9/11 marks a watershed moment concerning
the rights of Muslims in the US. The ignorance, fear, racism, and hysteria
generated by the media lead to stereotyping, demonization, stigmatization, and
brutal attacks against Muslims. The film depicts the cruel, inhumane, and racist
character of American society, where Muslims are considered less than human
and their rights trampled upon with impunity, based on unsubstantiated and vague
suspicions. Due process and equal protection rights are disregarded due to the
hysteria generated by terrorism. We see events get even uglier when Sameer,
Mandira's son, is killed by four racist bullies at his school. Mandira is beside
herself with grief and blames Rizvan and his Muslim-ness for all their woes. She
asks Rizvan to leave and only return when he is able to tell the President of the
United States that he is not a terrorist. Accordingly, Rizvan leaves San Francisco
in search of the President to deliver his message.
This movie depicts the gross violations of the civil/human rights
experienced by the Muslim community in the US, which arose from prejudice,
collective blame, and hate incited against Muslims. While attempting to meet
President Bush, Rizvan is arrested for suspicion of being a terrorist and is placed
in solitary confinement, in flagrant violation of his constitutional rights. He is
strip/cavity searched and dehumanized by overzealous law enforcement agents
and classified as a dangerous terrorist. In time, due to the advocacy of Rizvan's
friends, the authorities realize they have made a mistake and release him.
perspective of an innocent Muslim in the horror of the post-9/11 United States.
Victimized for being autistic in his native India, Rizvan Khan also faces the
perennial violence and hate generated by the anti-Muslim pogroms there. While
an impressionable child, his mother, Razia Khan, teaches him a very profound
ethical lesson - that irrespective of caste, class, race, religion, or ethnicity, there
are only two kinds of people - good ones who do good deeds, and bad ones who
do bad deeds.
After immigrating to the United States, Rizvan works as a salesman for his
brother Zakir Khan’s herbal beauty products company. Due to his strong work
ethic, he is able to enjoy the benefits of the American Dream. Despite opposition
from his brother, he marries a Hindu divorcee, Mandira, who has a 6-year old son,
Sameer, and becomes part of her family. They work hard, lead a happy life, and
are well integrated into a multicultural community.
After the tragic events of 9/11 Rizvan’s whole world turns upside down.
Due to prejudice, Mandira's customers abandon her beauty salon and she is forced
to close and seek work elsewhere. 9/11 marks a watershed moment concerning
the rights of Muslims in the US. The ignorance, fear, racism, and hysteria
generated by the media lead to stereotyping, demonization, stigmatization, and
brutal attacks against Muslims. The film depicts the cruel, inhumane, and racist
character of American society, where Muslims are considered less than human
and their rights trampled upon with impunity, based on unsubstantiated and vague
suspicions. Due process and equal protection rights are disregarded due to the
hysteria generated by terrorism. We see events get even uglier when Sameer,
Mandira's son, is killed by four racist bullies at his school. Mandira is beside
herself with grief and blames Rizvan and his Muslim-ness for all their woes. She
asks Rizvan to leave and only return when he is able to tell the President of the
United States that he is not a terrorist. Accordingly, Rizvan leaves San Francisco
in search of the President to deliver his message.
This movie depicts the gross violations of the civil/human rights
experienced by the Muslim community in the US, which arose from prejudice,
collective blame, and hate incited against Muslims. While attempting to meet
President Bush, Rizvan is arrested for suspicion of being a terrorist and is placed
in solitary confinement, in flagrant violation of his constitutional rights. He is
strip/cavity searched and dehumanized by overzealous law enforcement agents
and classified as a dangerous terrorist. In time, due to the advocacy of Rizvan's
friends, the authorities realize they have made a mistake and release him.