Movie – my name is khan essay

The movie highlights the existing prejudice and discrimination towards the Muslim community in post 9/11 world. Shahrukh Khan is an autistic (Asperger’s Syndrome) has repeatedly emphasized this by saying -‘ My Name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist’. As far as depiction of Shahrukh as an autistic child is concerned, though he is unable to express his emotions but understands the love of his mother very well. He is very good at machines. His younger brother is jealous of the affection he gets and often revolts and later moves to US.

His mother often told him— That there are only two type of people in this world ‘ good’ and ‘ bad’. There is no third categorization. Also she says that good people are rewarded and bad people are punished, which is nothing but Just World Belief, but it should not be taken with negative connotations here. Later after his mother’s death Shahrukh also moves to US where he started working as a salesman and gets married to Kajol who is a Hindu girl and had a young son named Sam. After the marriage Kajol and the boy change surname to Khan, this even can be seen as sign of patriarchal society.

Then movie takes a turn when there occur the 9/11 blasts in which Muslim terrorists were involved. This leads to surge in prejudice against Muslims as a community. Here it must be noted that though only handful of Muslims were actually involved in 9/11 but blame is put on the community as a whole. This is the classic case of outgroup homogeneity bias. Not only the teacher in the Sam’s school teaches the students that Islam is most violent religion but Sam is continuously jibed by his classmates. Even his most trusted friend moves away from him.

. Kajol had to quit the job. Shahrukh’s sister-in-law was attacked for she was wearing a scarf. But sad enough, Sam is beaten to death by his schoolmates on his retaliation.

Then Kajol asks Shahrukh to tell to US President that a Khan is not a terrorist. For that Shahrukh tries to follow George Bush wherever he goes, but unsuccessful in meeting him. Then the issue of frisking of Muslims at the airport is highlighted, whereby SRK is beaten by airport police.

A religious fanatic Muslim misguiding others is also shown. But SRK then highlights the original teachings of Quran and Prophet and ask others not to go on path of violence. Fortunately, SRK’s efforts to meet US Prez get attention of media . In the end, he meets the newly elected Obama who acknowledges in front of world that ‘ Your name is Khan, and you are not a terrorist”.

To sum up, it is very purposeful movie which highlights the faulty attributions of different groups of society and stresses that the aims of all religion are same. So one should adopt critical thinking and not get misguided by some selfish political or religious leaders. And after all, there are only two types of people- Good; Bad.