My Name is Khan- A gem you may have missed in the cinema

My name is Khan showed in limited cinemas, I went to see it in Cineworld a few months back. This is a Bollywood film and even though the Bollywood genre doesn’t usually appeal to me, I was blown away by it. I’m not the only one; My name is Khan was screened this year as part of the Berlin film Festival and it has broken the record for the highest-grossing Bollywood film overseas.

The plot surrounds Rizwan Khan, wonderfully played by Shahrukh Khan who grows up in India with his loving mother. After her death, Khan has no choice but to travel to San Francisco to live with his brother, Zakir. It is not until he reaches America that he is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Feeling guilty for all the years of resentment and ignorance about his condition, Zakir helps Khan to get a job as a beauty products salesman. It is through this job that Khan meets Mandira (Kajol) and a romance begins. Tragedy strikes when the events of September 11th transpire and Khan’s status as a Muslim destroys the life they have built. Taking Mandira’s outburst literally, Khan goes on a quest to make things right by following the US president accross America.

Although the plot is very heavy, there are moments of comic relief intertwined throughout the movie that helps relieve what would be a wholly depressing tale. My name is Khan is essentially an epic love story that deals with terrorism, Islam and autism. It has its melodramatic moments which is typical of the Bollywood genre but this movie does not deserve to be missed out on. It is universally appealing, very touching; one of the best films I’ve ever seen. If you’re looking for a great DVD release, this is it.