Abu Dhabi: Their intentions were noble as Bollywood’s flop-proof trinity comprising actors Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and director Karan Johar attempted to drill in the ideology “My Name Is Khan – And I am not a terrorist” in their latest love story.
But noble intentions have rarely scored any brownie points in Bollywood and MNIK was no different. The tale of an autistic Muslim, Rizwan Khan, who finds his marital harmony shattered after the deadly 9/11 terror attacks in America and who embarks on a journey to meet the American president comes off as a juvenile jingoistic venture.
The film may be about racial and religious identity in post 9/11 America but the viewer is left to grapple with another big question: why did Karan Johar – the King of chirpy musicals and the hit-maker behind utopian romances Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham – depart from his forte?
Another disappointment came when you realised that in between all the intense filmmaking, Johar forgot to draw from his biggest strength – the combustible chemistry between Khan and Kajol. Though Khan and Kajol were convincing as a couple who break-up after their son falls victims to religious and racial attacks, we are left wanting for more.
Agreed they had their golden moments – such as Kajol’s marriage proposal and their teary reunion – but the film left you terrifyingly numb. Your eyebrows may shoot up north when the love story meanders towards Khan meeting the American president. (warning: if Barack Obama were to see this – he will be cringing at seeing his on-screen persona). As far as performances go, Kajol as the zestful Mandira was believable and Khan’s performance was earnest.
P.S.: Karan Johar – stick to candy-floss romances – that’s our message.
