Genre: Romance/Adventure
Language: Hindi
Release Date: 2010
Introduction
My Name Is Khan (2010) is a social drama film directed by Karan Johar, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. It narrates the story of Rizwan Khan, an autistic Muslim, who embarks on a journey across the United States to meet the President after his wife, Mandira, faces Islamophobic discrimination post-9/11.
Development and Production
Johar sought to move away from romantic films, extensively researching autism and Islam for this project. The film was co-produced by Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment. Filming took place in Los Angeles, Mumbai, and San Francisco from December 2008 to October 2009. The soundtrack was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy.
Release and Reception
Premiering in the UAE on February 10, 2010, and released worldwide on February 12, the film received critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and social message. It grossed ₹223 crore (US$48.77 million) globally, becoming one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2010.
Plot Summary
Rizwan Khan, an Indian Muslim with Asperger’s syndrome, marries Mandira Rathod, a Hindu woman. Their life is disrupted post-9/11, leading to the death of Mandira’s son, Sam, due to a hate crime. Rizwan sets out to meet the President to clear his name, declaring, “My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist.”
Distribution and Legacy
The film was distributed by Fox Star Studios and Fox Searchlight Pictures, with Sony Music India acquiring the soundtrack rights. It received positive reviews, an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was used as a case study for its portrayal of autism and Islamophobia.
Box Office Performance
My Name Is Khan opened well globally and set records, despite mixed domestic performance. It grossed ₹223.44 crore (US$48.86 million) worldwide, with significant overseas success.
