A Film's Look at Islamic Intolerance in America Creates a Hindu | Islam Clash in India

Ironically, a film designed to document prejudice against Muslims in America is stirring up a firestorm in India. Perhaps the movie will succeed not only in communicating the reality of anti-Muslim attitudes in America but also in India.

The Hindu organization Shiv Sena protests in India are not about the film ‘My Name Is Khan’.  The official insult is over cricket and Shah Rukh Khan, comments that Pakistanis should be able to play in the Indian Premier League.  Besides being the star of ‘My Name Is Khan’, the actor is  himself co-owner of a cricket team.

Shah Rukh Khan’s comments were viewed as a huge insult to the Shiv Sena activists who represent India’s larger Hindu party.

The result is a big problem, demonstrations and security concerns far worse than Rizwan Khan, the actor’s Muslim movie character, encounters on his metaphorical trip across America.

Passion around the religious composition of India’s cricket teams are running high.The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that pre-opening ticket sales were suspended India but they have resumed, with high-alert security concerns.

Police have cancelled leave of their Mumbai personnel to ensure protection to the 63-odd theatres scheduled to screen the SRK film. They have also detained over 1,200 Sena members as preventive measure. The police have been asked not to let viewers carry bags into theaters, frisk every ticket holder and check their identity cards.

Screens of Metro theatre in south Mumbai and Huma Cinema at Kanjurmarg were cut in an advance protest Tuesday evening by the Sena workers who entered the halls as regular viewers by buying tickets.

“We will not allow the movie to be released. Shah Rukh should first apologise to Balasaheb (Thackeray), the Shiv Sena patriarch, and then only we can talk with him,” Sena leader Manohar Joshi said.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said the Sena-Shah Rukh Khan controversy should be resolved by mutual understanding.

My Name Is Khan Official English Trailer

Islam in America

Returning to the movie ‘My Name Is Khan’, the story is about a Muslim boy, Rizwan Khan, who has Asperger’s syndrome, a type of autism. As an adult, Rizwan moves to San Francisco, where he falls in love with a Hindu woman Mandira.

The couple marries and creates a business together. Life is enchanted until the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. After that, the marriage changes, resulting in a marital separation.

Deeply in love with his wife, Rizwan embarks on a journey across the United States to win her back.

On the road in America, Khan travels across America, where he discovers rage, hatred and intolerance against him — not because of his skin color — but because of his religion. 

Shot at more than 250 locations and a large Bollywood set, the movie’s team admits that its message attempts to give credibility to Muslims and Islam, in a post Sept. 11, 2001 world.

The film ‘My Name Is Khan’ premiered last night in Abu Dhabi.

Going global with this story, the Nepal screenings will not be affected,” said the film’s Nepal distributor Nakim Uddin.

It’s scheduled to be screened in four multiplexes in Kathmandu along with smaller theatres in nearly a dozen towns outside Kathmandu valley.

Reports say that unlike in India, where the Shiv Sena is determined to disrup the film over Shah Rukh Khan defending Pakistan’s cricket players, in Nepal, the Sena’s sister organisation, the Nepal Shiv Sena, is unlikely to go on the warpath.

This is another of those truth is better than fiction stories, and we will follow it through the weekend.  Tolerance is a precious commodity in John and Yoko’s 21st century world. Tonight the world looks more fragile than ever.

Sources: Shah Rukh Khan Premieres New Film, ‘My Name Is Khan’ WSJ Speakeasy

Mumbai Police Detain 1000 Over Film Protest WSJ

Bollywood stars dedazzle at premiere The National

To watch ‘My Name is Khan’ in peace, come to Nepal? India Times

Shiv Sena intensifies anti-Shah Rukh stir Business Standard

Update on Sun, February 14, 2010 by Anne

‘Khan’ Has Its Premiere Amid Tight Security Wall Street Journal