Film Critic - My Name is Khan - Essay Example

The social aspects in the film include the emotional turmoil faced by Asperger's syndrome patients, prejudice against Muslims after the 9/11 terrorist attack and the social responsibility to render help to the needy. Thesis statement: The film My Name is Khan by Karan Johar unveils the problems faced by individuals living in exile, problems faced by Muslims after the 9/11 terrorist attack and the social responsibility to rehabilitate differently able individuals.
Historical context
The historical context of the film is divided into two: the protagonist’s earlier life in India and his life in the USA after the 9/11 attacks. This division is important because it unveils the difference between the problems faced by an Asperger's syndrome patient in India and the opportunities and problems faced by him in a multicultural and multiracial society (say, USA). Tony Attwood opines that “The person with Asperger’s Syndrome has no distinguishing physical features but is primarily viewed by other people as different” (28). The film was released in the year 2010 and the director gave ample importance to the history of racial prejudice faced by Muslims in mainstream society. For instance, earlier, the protagonist was not aware of his identity as a Muslim. When the 9/11 terrorist attack occurred in the USA, almost all the friends of the protagonist began to consider him as the representative of terrorist ideology and violence. This change in attitude disturbs the protagonist and he decides to meet the American President to reveal the problems faced by him in his private and public spheres. In short, the film unveils the after-effects of the 9/11 terrorist attack in a multiracial and multicultural society.
Cinematography
As pointed out, the film’s cinematography unveils the difference between the social contexts in India and USA. One can easily identify that the protagonist’s earlier life in India was full of emotional and mental turmoil. For instance, Rizwan Khan’s parents were not aware of his ability in the field of repairing mechanical/ electronic objects. Gradually, he was forced to shrink into the shell of silence and inefficiency. From a different angle of view, one can easily identify that Rizwan’s immigration to the USA and the after-effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks transformed him into a new individual. The cinematographer’s idea to differentiate the protagonist’s life in India and USA helps the viewers to have a deeper understanding of the film.
Social aspects
As pointed out, the social aspects of the film include the problems faced by differently able individuals in mainstream society. The film unveils the relationship between individual and state in a multicultural society. One can easily identify that rigid social backgrounds limit the development of individuals, especially the development of differently able individuals. But socially flexible backgrounds accelerate the scope of individual development. Rizwan’s experience in Indian society and American society proves this idea. But Rizwan was a victim of the prejudice against Muslims in America. Jocelyne Cesari states that “ For many American Muslims, whether immigrant, African American or other, the so-called “ melting pot” ideology of America has not worked to include them” (32). But Rizwan did not give up and tried his level best to prove his innocence in front of the President of America. The director was able to make use of the protagonist to communicate with viewers in a successful manner. Besides, the film put forth the innovative message of social responsibility to absorb differently able individuals to the core of society.

Summing, the film acts the role of a safety valve that reduces the scope of further communal or racial tension among different races and communities within a multiracial society. Besides, the film gives ample importance to the problem of cultural assimilation, social responsibility of the civil society in rehabilitating differently able individuals. The film put forth innovative solutions to resolve problems faced by individuals who lead their life in exile. In short, the director proves that cultural assimilation can solve racial tensions and can help differently able individuals to contribute to society.