MOVING MESSAGES - 'My Name Is KHAN and I am not a Terrorist……………'

The most recent Hindi film ‘My Name Is Khan’ sparked off a controversy even while it was due to be released, not because of its contents or any other publically unfavourable details, but because of the hardline Hindu political party Shiv Sena’s reaction to some recent remarks made by the film’s leading man Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) on the non inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League. After the Sena’s threats of vandalism on the release of the film, theatres across Mumbai took stringent measures to have a possibly peaceful release of the film on the 12th February, 2010. While the Indian media galored with reports of security measures taken in the city on the eve of the film’s release, and actor Shah Rukh Khan’s stand supporting his views about separating sports from political warfare that brew between nations, the UAE went on to screen the film on the 11thFebruary, a Thursday, a day when films are released in this part of the world. It found an eager audience not just in the Asian expatriates, but crossed boundaries to interest the huge melting pot of culture that is Dubai.

Being an Indian living here, and an ardent fan of SRK, I made it a point to watch the much hyped film on the first day itself. I sensed a bit of exhilaration about getting to watch it even a day before it could be viewed in India. My family and I enjoyed the evening show over our platter of crispy nachos served with salsa and cheese dip.

As young Rizwan’s innate skills prepare us to view our hero in a larger frame, a doting mother’s unconditional love and support to her special child grabs the empathy of the viewers. We have already started identifying with the story line so far that takes us through a unique love story enacted by the most endearing on screen couples Bollywood has seen so far. A bit of the US is showcased most interestingly through a wonderful cinematography. Horrific images of the Twin Towers collapse transports the viewers into the world of terrorism and the devastation of human life at the hands of a few hardliners. In the wake of this collapse and the ensuing prejudice against the Muslims in the US, the love story of the couple from different religious backgrounds comes under stress post 9/11.

The most moving images in the film that permeate through one’s soul are that of Rizwan’s outcry against people divided by religion. At a time when the world crumbles under terror attacks at the hands of religious fundamentalists, Rizwan’s indirect attempts to unite people by their virtues and disunite them by their vices is not an extraordinary but a genuine, heartfelt attempt of a common man at diluting the boundaries that separate mankind. And while we all agree that love knows no boundaries, yet we certainly identify with the struggle of the couple, Mandira and Rizwan, and their search for their identity that seemed to have taken a beating in the pathos that had come to engulf their own religions, their relationship, their shared grief and the outlook of the world at large towards them in the wake of terror attacks.

Mothers from different races, communities and religions find themselves shedding common tears as a distraught Mandira weeps inconsolably over the body of her young son killed in racial attacks. The cyclone in Georgia and Rizwan’s larger than life’s efforts in helping the stranded, brings races together in the face of adversity.

Rizwan, who suffers from the Asperger’s Syndrome, has to deal with his condition even as 9/11 sparks a sentiment of prejudice and hatred towards the Muslims. The irony of the theme lies in the fact that a person who is incapable of expressing emotions is indeed capable of infusing a deep one into those who are largely capable of the same, but have remained indifferent so far. We are moved by the man’s determined efforts to meet the President of America to convey a message, “My name is Khan and I’m not a terrorist”. These words, most vociferously, echo the sentiments of an entire community of people who represent ‘Muslim’ as nothing more than a people confined to a region. As a community screams to obliterate the stigma attached to it, it is left to the rest of us clear the dust that has settled on a picture so pristine.

Rizwan strives to drive home the message of love and peace that his religion stands for. His efforts lie juxtaposed to the opposing forces that aim to use religion as bait to numb humanity. The film sends across a message about violence and most rightly advocates Islam as a peace loving religion. A most stereotype voice resonates in a manner so novel that the viewers are sucked into the quagmire of humanity.

Today, as the world in various parts grapples with terrorism, and Muslims find it difficult to be a part of the multi cultural ethos, primarily in the western world, this Bollywood film at heart, tackles an international issue and shares an international relevance, as its soul searching and soothing track beckons the audience themselves to break into a song , “People over the world, reach out your hands and love one another…..”