“My name is Khan, and I’m not a terrorist.”
The elaboration on this affirmative, emotional statement captivates us for 165 minutes. Whereas usually Bollywood gives us a song-and-dance routine so expertly wrought that we can’t help smiling and clapping, now we have a serious and somber depiction of a man having to say “My name is Khan” to prove to the USA that he is not a terrorist.
We still smile and applaud, although uneasily at first, before being swept away by emotion.
However, unless you look at the synopsis, you wouldn’t be blamed for anticipating a typical Bollywood film. After all, the film features a trio of Bollywood hit-makers: director Karan Johar, leading man Shah Rukh Khan, arguably the world’s biggest star, and leading lady Kajol.
If the names sound familiar, it’s because the trio have teamed up for big box-office hits such as teen romance Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1999) and family drama Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham (2001).
But Khan could not be more different: Karan delves into dramatic filmmaking, directing Kajol through unfamiliar English-language territory; even Shah Rukh Khan never breaks into song and dance, or makes funny faces.
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