Khan, Kajol, and Karan

Disappointing fare. My Name is Khan is a letdown of sorts. If you were expecting the travails of an autist, stay away. If you were expecting a pensive case of blurring of Muslim Identity in the US, I reckon you could watch New York from the Yash Raj stable.

Not that My Name is Khan is slipshod. It is faintly scripted. The film holds immense promise in the opening minutes, but then waywardly yawns to the typical Karan Johar style: love, cush, and Kajol (come on, its a KJ film!). In a title that veritably elevates the film to higher levels, little justice is done.

Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) portrays the role of a autistic man, afflicted with Asperger's syndrome. He flies to the US to stay along with his brother (Jimmy Shergill) and his wife (Wow, isn't she beautiful!) played by Sonya Jehan. He is commisioned to market his brother's company's beauty products and thereby he meets Mandira, a divorced Hindu girl (Kajol), who has a son from her previous marriage, Samir. Sparks fly, Rizwan makes Mandira fall in love with him (Sweet Autist!) and all's well. Period.

The second half screeches open with the traumatic instance of 9/11. The identity of the Muslim is thrown into question, as Americans commence to view all Muslims as potential terrorists. At one such instance, Kajol's life changes forever, and Khan (being the uber non-socialite that he is) finds it hard to comprehend the fuss all around. He is then seethingly reprimanded by Mandira: to go find the US President and let him know that Muslims are not terrorists. Then in a Forrest Gumpic style, Rizwan begins his journey to meet the President and his journey is chronicled.

Karan Johar has definitely moved up the ladder as a filmmaker. Metaphorical scenes are many in the screenplay. Examples include scenes that show the Muslim-identity question, and they have been done quite brilliantly. But, the film slags in its pace, and loses the plot by the end. Did Kjo want it to be hard-hitting? Or did he want an entertainment fare at the end of it all? Films like these leave a global stamp(owing to the overtime marketing), and I reckon the film maker to handle it more seriously, keeping in mind the potential the film had. Kjo, if you want a romantic film, go make a romantic film, and stick to your strengths. They are misplaced in this movie.

Shah Rukh is apt in his portrayal. He doesn't let his scene go off the hooks, and keeps a taut grip on the story. Kajol is pretty, gorgeouos, ravishing, matured, boisterous. Cinematography is par exellence (Ravi K Chandran). Other characters do justice to their rule. Music gels well to the story. So that's five thumbs up! Where the film fails is at the story and scripting.

Nevertheless, watch it once. It's already made a lot of money. Burn your pockets.

AC MILAN vs MANCHESTER UNITED

David Beckham is hard to miss. With the Champions League match between AC Milan and Manchester United today, it becomes a little more than impossible to obfuscate Beckham. That said, debates range from the speculative to the statistical about Beckham's qualities as a footballer. After proving his mettle at Manchester United, and Real Madrid, it was a setback to move out to the USA. Loaning him to AC Milan proved to be a masterstroke by Capello, and the player warmed to this initiative. He has exhibited fine skill throughout his career, sans the dribbling of Ronaldo, and the pace of Giggs. Yet, Beckham stuck to his natural strengths and reading of the game. And boy has he grown! In contemporary football, he is one of the those few who epitomize dedication, work, practice, and overall intelligence. A lot view Beckham as a mere model, but it would deem wise to accord him a better place: one of a responsible footballer and an appropriate role model.

AC Milan, apart from Beckham, have also Seedorf, Pirlo, and a few others who are indisputably, masters of the Champion League games. They might not run all over the pitch, but their ability to read and construe the game in seconds might be all that matters. Manchester United, on the other hand are buoyed by a run in form for Wayne Rooney, who has been the lynch-pin of the team this season. Alex's team building abilities are paying rich dividends, and Manchester United are threatening in the second half of the season. Victory at the San Siro might be the due for the Red Devils; the gaffer is certain to be relishing this mouth watering tie.