Movie Review : My Name is Khan

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My Name Is Khan has been in the news quite a lot recently, and not always for the right reasons (though am sure it all worked out fine for the movie in the end!!). The controversies created by SRK helped the movie pull the initial crowds to the theatres leading to a bumper opening, but thereafter the interest in the movie fell as the movie could not match the high expectations created by critics. However, once the expectations were matched with reality, the movie has managed to pick up a little.

The first half of the movie is beautiful, with SRK doing a good job, and Kajol looking extremely beautiful. SRK's asperger syndrome has been shown in a very sensitive manner, without evoking pity, which I definitely think is a high point of a movie of this genre showing a handicapped person. The shots of Rizvan's childhood as well as his initial days in the States are beautiful, the chemistry between SRK and Kajol awesome and its mostly a feel good movie, at least in the first half.

Its the second half of the movie which is a BIG disapointment, the entire movie loses its flow and meanders around so much, that it is unable to get itself together again by the end. There are too many issues and story tracks all running together that they all get muddled up, even though individually these story tracks would have been impressive..

- the storyline of Rizvan trying to meet the American President, his many journeys and ensuing failures at different events that he tries to get an audience with the President. Most of these events have not been given their due in terms of time or story development or depth..

- there are the people Rizvan meets on the way whose life he touches but again not enough time is spent on these story tracks for these characters to be remembered..

- then there is Rizvan's arrest, torture, and release after protests by college students and then the TV news reporters; everything that is possible while portraying a Muslim in the States is shown here!!

- of Rizvan earning his bread on the road, "repairing almost anything"

- of Kajol's hurt and loss manifesting itself in hatred for all and in the end harming her own life more..

- and then the entire flood sequence of SRK meeting Mama Jenny and then going back later to help them in times of the floods. This part was ridiculous, unrealistic and too SRK style rather than Rizvan style.

It all mingles together, with too much happening, and none of the stories being given their due. This is where the movies loses its way and then its all downhill. Kajol does seem a bit over the top many times, too loud and unnatural. Also, the entire flood sequence could have been avoided. Without it, Rizvan Khan was an ordinary person but with it, they've made him a hero (or a superstar that SRK loves to be:) ).

Anyways its still a watchable movie, will give it 3 stars.

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