In a major coup, Karan Johar's My Name is Khan has been selected in the Berlin International Film Festival. What's more, the film has been picked for the Official Selection of the festival, which takes place from February 11-21, 2010. Karan Johar is jubilant. "It will be my first time in Berlin, and I'm so excited," he says. "Of course, I'll be going with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol! There's nothing as prestigious as presenting my film at the Berlin film festival's official selection. Even more than awards, it's getting eyeballs at such a festival that is important."
Not many Indian films have made it to the official selection in Berlin the last decade except for Farah Khan's blockbuster Om Shanti Om was - it was part of the Berlinale Special. My Name is Khan will play in the 'Out of Competition' section. Johar said that Fox (which is distributing the film), is comfortable with the 'Out of Competition' slot, as it fits into their international release dates.
My Name is Khan raises the bar for a Karan Johar film, with a love story layered with two key non-romantic issues: Shah Rukh Khan plays Rizvan Khan, a Muslim living in the US post-9/11, and he suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.
"Regardless of the issues, I hope the film will find wide acceptance on the humanitarian aspect," Johar says. "Rizvan Khan makes very large points in the garb of simplicity and innocence. Only emotions connect, and they are universal, and I hope Rizvan Khan touches hearts everywhere. I try to raise the bar for Indian cinema with every film I make. I am young, I've got the infrastructure. Weekend box office numbers are no longer enough, I want to be acknowledged. My first concern will always be my domestic base. But within the parameters, we should try to reach a global audience by using our content, keeping the storytelling plausible, and syntax sensible."
As Hollywood major Fox Searchlight is distributing the film in the US, and Fox Star Studios in India, Johar had told the press, "This is the first time such a deal has been inked, where the film will release beyond the mainstream diaspora, and that is exciting."
As for Berlin, he adds, "I can't wait to be in Berlin, walk the red carpet, watch the film with the audience and interact with it afterwards!"
'My Name Is Khan' first look promo is a goose pimple evoking sensation
By Faridoon Shahryar, December 16, 2009 - 23:10 IST
My Name Is Khan and I am not a terrorist...this line from the First Look promo of Shahrukh-Kajol propelled 'My Name Is Khan' hits you with an incredible force that sends shivers of goose pimples within. Obviously the paramount question is that whether the SRK-Kajol chemistry works magic again. Yes, it does...Big Time. It seems the duo are meant to fall in love and transmit that love-electricity on celluloid to millions of people across the world.
MNIK promo successfully opens a window to what the basic story is, whips up an engaging drama and leaves you panting for more. Rizwan's (Shahrukh) disability is blanketed by Mandira's (Kajol) overwhelmingly deep affection. How 9/11 changes lives forever and for some strange innocent reason Rizwan wants to meet up with the President Of America. There's a strong resistance and guns blaze on the roads of suspicion.
There are two significant lines that stay with you when the promo is over. First one is: He believed that if you do good deeds...good things will happen to you. And the second is: We are stronger than our fears. It seems that the Writing will be the strong point of 'My Name Is Khan' and undoubtedly Karan Johar is treading a territory that in all probability will enrich the Indian film industry.
The production design looks top notch, cinematography is world class and the look of both Shahrukh and Kajol is different from what we've seen them in before. There's a small section of a song 'Noor-e-Khuda' which comes at the beginning of the promo and it seems Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have redeemed themselves after an average 'London Dreams'. The background score sounds very attractive too.
Kajol's breakdown scene sends chills down your spine. What a volcano of a talent she is. Shahrukh's intense sincerity binds your attention from the first frame of the promo till its last. This may be the turning point in the career of Shahrukh Khan, the fantastic actor, who amazed earlier with magnificence in 'Chak De India'.
It goes without saying that the First Look promo of 'My Name Is Khan' whets your appetite for the real thing. One of the finest First Look promos in recent times.
Post time 17-12-2009 10:57 AM
