A Tribute to Shah Rukh Khan: My Name Is Khan

Description

To muster an American equivalent to Shah Rukh Khan, you’d have to combine several high-wattage celebrities (Brad Pitt plus Tom Cruise plus Will Smith), and it still wouldn’t be enough. Khan—or “SRK” to his fans—is not only one of India’s biggest-ever stars, his fame has transcended borders and brought him worldwide acclaim. His three-decade career has encompassed over 80 films, including some of Bollywood’s most beloved blockbusters. Join SFFILM Festival for this program including a moderated discussion led by powerhouse director-producer Brett Ratner with Shah Rukh Khan in person, followed by a screening of My Name Is Khan (2010).

This epic 2010 melodrama tackles the subject of post-9/11 prejudice in America, as seen through the eyes of Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), a devout Muslim who ends up on a cross-country quest to meet the President after a devastating family tragedy. Adding a wrinkle to this story, which is told mostly in flashbacks, is the fact that Khan has Asperger’s syndrome, which means he has a unique way of looking at the world that colors his interactions with others. One person who’s able to see past his mannerisms is lovely single mother Mandira (Kajol), who happens to be Hindu, which causes some strife in Khan’s family. Nevertheless, they fall in love against the backdrop of a lovingly photographed San Francisco, complete with a sparkling wedding at the Palace of Fine Arts, although their road to happily-ever-after is a supremely bumpy one. My Name Is Khan‘s bouncy musical numbers and underlying messages of tolerance, unconditional love, and truth-seeking are worth celebrating in these challenging times. —Cheryl Eddy

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