My Name Is Khan - Yet another un-satisfactory film

Amid immense anticipation in public and some political mockery that of late seems to be the flavor of pre-release season of all films in India this (Saha Rukh Khan)SRK starring flick was released. A friend of mine, better known in circles for being ardent SRK devout for ages, warned me to book tickets and see catch MNIK first day first show. Apart from the statutory warning that I receive before each SRK release there was yet another reason for me to catch this flick, that about 20% of the film was shot on my university campus. I would have probably done that, but the trailer didn't work for me. Trailer did not evoke interest/emotions/expectation on me. For record sake, I saw Don (starring SRK) first day first show, and a couple of times later on.

None the less, I was in San Fransisco, aimless and nomadic with nothing to do for a day. Someone asked me if I would come for the film? Yes, I said. It was Valentines Day plus a Sunday and upon reaching the theatre we learned shows were sold out. The lady at the box-office sympathized with us and informed us that evening 7:30 show wasn't booked to the capacity and she would book us if we wished to.

Some Googling on iPhones came handy and we landed at Big Cinema's (owned by ADAG) some 7 miles from the previous theatre and got our tickets. Actually we were the first ones to buy here on this day. There was time in our hand and hunger in stomach which took us to the nearest Subway at a stone throw distance away. Veggie delight was ordered, few Lays were bought. Though I did not have great expectations after watching trailer, I got curious after reading reviews. Most of them gave 3.5+ ratings.

So finally got to watch MNIK and it did disappoint me a great deal. The story is about Rizwan Khan (played by SRK) who suffers from a psychological disorder. He is good at heart at the same time his acumen is immense. His brother (played by Jimmy Shergill -the actor who needs no introduction and honestly no one wants to give either) feels that mother is more inclined towards Rizwan and kind of dislikes him for that. Later on after finishing his college go to the US and settles (marriage included) there. One day calls mother and asks her to come there and also sponsors his Rizwan for the same cause.

Cut to US and Jimmy has built up a business on his own blood and sweat, asks brother SRK to market the products he produces. There enters Mandira (we all know she's Kajol), a hairdresser at a parlour in San Fransisco. They meet and it becomes necessary for SRK to fall in love with her. SRK bluntly asks her to marry. She says "..its complex, not that easy.." A deal is struck; if SRK could show Kajol any place in San Fransisco that she hasn't seen then she would marry him. I wonder if such deals are popular today. I wish to have one such. BTW Kajol is a divorcee and has a kid too.

Now predictably, SRK shows her a place (that looked like a view point to me) and they get married. Kajol and son adopt Khan as their surname, there is 9/11 attack and racial attacks follow. There was a laughable moment where SRK comes to Kajol and says asks for sex, shows her a book called 'Intercourse for Dumbos'. When a man in his forty's does that it is laughable. They have neighbours, who are close to them. The husband is sent to Afganistan to cover the US war on terror and gets killed. Now his son becomes sour and racial. SRK's son get's killed in a scene in school soccer field where he gets into a fight with bullies.

Kajol blames SRK and the surname Khan for this event and asks go leave. Also she suggests him to tell to everybody that ... his name is Khan and he is not a terrorist, if possible even to the president of US. Now its totally SRK's fault if he picks up only president and leaves others. It becomes his misson in life. He follows president wherever he goes and tries hard to meet him. One fine sunny day he president is to arrive in a university campus(UCLA) and he gets there to. Amid many folks he too shouts... "Mr.President. My name is Khan and am not a terrorist." Someone hear's only terrorist and freeting follows. SRK gets arrested and jailed.

Some unknown student actually captures SRK's original words in his camera during the event. He watches the footage again and again. Decided he should contact some media channel fella and broadcast his story so that SRK gets free. It happens. While he's on his mission to meet president he accidentally meets a black family and loves them. later when he gets freedup from jail and hears that that village (where he met the black family) got stormed by hurricanes he decides to go there and help them. He reaches there in no time from Los Angeles and helps them. The media fellas follow him and he becomes sort of hero (he actually is one :P).

Now there are presidential elections and Barrack Obama is the chosen one. I believe SRK would have underwent major pain when he learns this. But, he finally meets him. People clap. President praises him for his efforts, kind being and announces that he's not a terrorist. Somewhere in the middle with SRK's help the cops catch a group of terrorists.

Movie lacked direction big time. Story has huge scope, alas it went untapped. One big minus I thought for the film was its music. You gotta have a couple of good numbers on a desi film. Where I think the film could have clicked was if somehow the actors/director made us feel sympathetic for the protagonist, which didn't happen. Alas the movie is very average. Watch it if you have spare time.