My Name Is Khan

One of the most anticipated films of 2010, My Name Is Khan, has just been released and is playing at Century Clakamas Town Center.  Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan is paired with his legendary heroine Kajol to tell the story of a Muslim man in America with Asperger's Syndrome and what befalls him after September 11.  There is lots of backstory to this film. Shah Rukh Khan is arguably the world's most popular movie star, but here in America he's virtually unknown.  Last summer he came to the US to participate in India Day festivities in Chicago and to promote this film.  He was detained and questioned at Newark International Airport because they thought this obviously Muslim man was suspicious.  An international scandal ensued.  The irony excaped no one that the film is about post 9/11 ethnic profiling and discrimination. Now that the film has been released, another scandal!  If you've seen the excellent film Sarkar, about a benevolent gangster, the reality is much different.  That film was rumored to be based on the life of Bal Thackeray, the supreme leader of Shiv Sena, an extremist Hindu party that in many ways runs Mumbai and blurs the line between the mafia and politics.  (The mafia in India has close ties with Bollywood because legal channels for financing movies have been very difficult to negotiate, and the mafia has been a reliable source of funding.  There are many many Bollywood films which glamorize and flatter the mafia.) Mr. Thackeray decided to pick a fight with Shah Rukh Khan and asked his loyal party members to protest the film.  Violence is anticipated.  Shah Rukh Khan owns a cricket team and apparently remarked recently to a reporter that he was disappointed that no Pakistani players were chosen for the Indian Premier League, despite being some of the world's best players.  Many in the cricket world made the same remark, but Shah Rukh Khan was singled out by Thackeray, who is apparently trying to rile up his supporters and flex his political muscle.

But what about the film?  It opens today and I haven't seen it yet, but the critics  and the public are unanimous- it's a winner!  Here's a review http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/13712/index.html  If you have any interest in Bollywood films or excellent films in general, check it out!

**Update-the film rocks!  It does have Karah Johar's bold stamp on it, but it maintains a very serious tone and does not have any dance numbers.  A triple hanky movie that makes a big impact and will leave you thinking...**