My Name Is Khan

My Name Is Khan

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2010
Founder	Karan Johar (director), Shibani Bathija (co-writer), Niranjan Iyengar (co-writer)
Headquarters	India, United States, United Arab Emirates
Key people	Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hiroo Yash Johar, Gauri Khan
Products	Feature film
Parent	Dharma Productions, Red Chillies Entertainment, 20th Century Fox

My Name Is Khan is a 2010 social drama film helmed by director Karan Johar and co-written by Shibani Bathija alongside Niranjan Iyengar. Featuring performances by Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, the movie is a collaborative production involving India, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. The narrative centers on Rizvan Khan (played by Khan), an autistic Muslim man who embarks on a journey across America to meet the President, following the Islamophobic discrimination endured by his Hindu wife Mandira Rathod Khan (Kajol) after the September 11 attacks.

The project was initiated by Johar in 2007, marking a departure from his previous romantic genre films and representing his first directorial venture without contributing to the screenplay. Comprehensive research was undertaken focusing on autism, with an emphasis on Asperger syndrome, as well as Islamic culture. The film was co-produced by Johar's mother Hiroo Yash Johar and Khan's spouse Gauri Khan under the banners of Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment. By May 2008, Khan and Kajol had been cast; principal photography occurred from December 2008 through October 2009, with shooting locations including Los Angeles, Mumbai, and San Francisco. The musical score was crafted by the trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy.

The film debuted in the United Arab Emirates on 10 February 2010, followed by a global release two days later through 20th Century Fox. It garnered extensive praise for its direction, musical composition, screenplay, cinematography, acting—particularly Khan’s performance—and its poignant social commentary. Earning over worldwide, it stood as one of the top-grossing Hindi films of that year and ranked second among Indian films in box office revenue for 2010. The movie received numerous accolades, including three awards at the 56th Filmfare Awards, and is recognized for its insightful depiction of autism and Islamophobia.

Plot

Rizwan Khan, an Indian Muslim, is raised in a middle-class household in Borivali, Mumbai, alongside his younger sibling Zakir and their widowed mother Razia. Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, Rizwan benefits from specialized education and care, which sparks envy in Zakir, prompting him to relocate to San Francisco. After Razia passes away, Zakir arranges for Rizwan to join him abroad. Rizwan finds employment at Zakir’s beauty products firm and marries Mandira Rathod, a Hindu hairdresser who has a son named Sameer. The couple settles in Banville, adopting Rizwan’s last name, living next door to the Garrick family; their son Reese is friends with Sameer.

Following the events of September 11 attacks, the Khans encounter increasing hostility. Mark Garrick dies while serving in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), leading Reese to distance himself from Sameer. A violent incident at a local soccer field results in Sameer's death due to bullying. Mandira holds Rizwan’s surname responsible for their misfortune and demands that he leave until he can demonstrate to America and its president that he is "not a terrorist."

Taking her words at face value, Rizwan sets out on a cross-country quest to meet President George W. Bush, supporting himself through various temporary jobs. In Georgia, he forms a bond with a boy named Joel and his mother Jenny ("Mama Jenny"). In Los Angeles, Rizwan confronts an extremist preacher inciting violence within a mosque, reports him to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and later interrupts a presidential event by declaring, "My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist!" Mistakenly suspected of terrorism, Rizwan is detained and interrogated but ultimately released after Indian student journalists and reporter Bobby Ahuja reveal his innocence.

When news breaks of a hurricane devastating Wilhelmina, Georgia, Rizwan returns to assist the affected community, attracting media attention for his humanitarian efforts. Reese eventually confesses his involvement in Sameer's death; Mandira contacts Detective Garcia, leading to the arrest of those responsible.

Mandira reunites with Rizwan in Georgia just as he is attacked by a follower of the preacher he exposed. After recovering in hospital, Rizwan meets President-elect Barack Obama, who reassures him with the words, "Your name is Khan and you are not a terrorist." United at last, Rizwan conveys that Sameer was innocent as well before he and Mandira walk home together.

Cast

The ensemble features:

• Shah Rukh Khan portraying Rizwan Khan
  • Navneet Kumar as Rizwan's sibling
  • Tanay Chheda in the role of young Rizwan
• Kajol as Mandira Rathod Khan
• Jimmy Shergill playing Zakir Khan, Rizwan's brother
• Sonya Jehan as Hasina Khan, Zakir’s spouse
• Zarina Wahab in the role of Razia Khan, mother to Rizwan
• Arjan Aujla as Sameer 'Sam' Khan, Mandira’s son and Rizwan’s stepson
  • Yuvaan Makar as the younger Sameer Khan
• Arif Zakaria cast as Dr. Faisal Rehman
• Vinay Pathak portraying Jitesh Pandit, owner of a motel
• Kenton Duty as Reese Garrick, a friend of Sam
• Katie A. Keane in the role of Sarah Garrick
• Dominic Renda as Mark Garrick
• Christopher B. Duncan playing Barack Obama
• Arjun Mathur as Raj Burman
• Kavin Dave portraying Inder Patel
• Parvin Dabas as Bobby Ahuja
• Sugandha Garg in the role of Komal Kukreti
• Navneet Nishan portraying Rita Singh
• Sheetal Menon as Radha
• Sumeet Raghavan cast as Rizwan’s assailant and follower of Faisal
• S. M. Zaheer as Ahmadi Man

Development

Primarily recognized for romantic films, Karan Johar ventured into a new genre aiming for both critical acclaim and box office success. His focus centered on Islam to challenge widespread misunderstandings and political prejudices linked to the religion. Johar’s objective was to present a heartfelt yet impactful narrative that would correct these stereotypes.

The project was announced in November 2007 and by July 2008 was officially named My Name Is Khan, marking Johar’s debut producing a film not authored by himself. The screenplay and story were crafted by Shibani Bathija, with dialogues co-developed alongside Niranjan Iyengar. Johar actively supported thorough research, including detailed examination of autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s syndrome, to ensure an authentic depiction of the protagonist.

The film is set within the San Francisco Bay Area; its fictional town Banville draws inspiration from Danville, California, reflecting an upscale suburban environment familiar to Bathija from her time at San Francisco State University. Bathija contributed the English dialogue while Iyengar handled the Hindi lines.

Production was jointly managed by Hiroo Yash Johar of Dharma Productions and Gauri Khan representing Red Chillies Entertainment, with the announcement made in February 2009. Shah Rukh Khan opposed pre-selling such a socially significant film and encouraged Johar to finance it independently to maintain shared ownership. The overall budget was estimated at .

American companies Fox Star Studios and Fox Searchlight Pictures participated in production and distribution, with Fox Star securing rights in August 2009 for an undisclosed sum believed to range between and . In February 2010, Abu Dhabi-based Image Nation joined as a distribution partner, followed nine months later by Hong Kong’s Huaxia Film Distribution.

Casting

Shanoo Sharma and Robi Reed oversaw the casting process for My Name Is Khan. Early announcements in October 2007 revealed Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as the film's leads.<ref>At first, Karan Johar confirmed only Shah Rukh Khan’s participation, with Kajol joining the cast by May 2008.<ref> Prior to Kajol’s confirmation, Kareena Kapoor was also considered for a lead role. This project marked the sixth time Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol collaborated, following hit films such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, both directed by Johar.<ref>

Initially, Aamir Bashir and R. Madhavan were cast to play Zakir, Rizwan’s younger brother. However, Madhavan exited to focus on 3 Idiots (2009), while Bashir was unable to secure a US visa due to concerns linked to his travel history after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Consequently, Jimmy Sheirgill replaced him.<ref> The visa denial attracted media scrutiny and impacted casting choices.<ref> Shabana Azmi was first chosen to portray Rizwan’s mother but had to withdraw because of scheduling conflicts arising from Shah Rukh Khan’s surgery; Zarina Wahab was eventually cast in her place.<ref>

Pakistani actress Sonya Jehan took on the role of university professor Hasina Khan, appearing in hijab—a departure from her earlier roles.<ref> Child actor Tanay Chheda portrayed young Rizwan, selected for his acclaimed performance in Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and his resemblance to Shah Rukh Khan.<ref>

For the character of President Obama, the filmmakers opted to cast an actor who resembled him rather than using archival footage. Forest Whitaker declined the part due to scheduling conflicts and discomfort with portraying a sitting president. After auditions, Christopher B. Duncan was cast in the role.<ref>

Characters

Karan Johar and Shibani Bathija invested two years researching Asperger's syndrome to authentically develop Shah Rukh Khan’s character in My Name Is Khan. Their study included visits to autism centers located in London, New York, Los Angeles, and India. They consulted authors Christopher and Gisela Slater-Walker, whose book An Asperger Marriage served as inspiration for the character, alongside Chris and Maxine Aston, writers of Aspergers in Love, who influenced the portrayal of Rizwan and Mandira’s relationship. Additional insights were gained through online video materials.

Shah Rukh Khan conducted thorough personal research as well, which involved reading literature such as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and engaging with individuals on the autism spectrum to bring authenticity to Rizwan's character. Karan Johar described this role as Khan’s toughest challenge yet, emphasizing his commitment to accurately depict a "neuro-atypical mind." Unlike his typical secular roles, Khan’s character was distinctly centered on religious identity.

To prepare for this portrayal, Johar arranged visits for Khan to autism centers for immersive learning. Khan practiced maintaining an expressionless gaze over extended periods to convincingly embody Asperger’s characteristics. Makeup artist Robin Slater from Los Angeles—known for work on films like Memoirs of a Geisha and Dreamgirls—was hired by producer Prashant Shah to craft Khan’s naturally sun-kissed appearance using a detailed six-step technique.

Kajol portrayed Mandira, Rizwan’s Hindu wife who has a son from a previous marriage. She described the film as Karan Johar’s most profound work to date, noting its more restrained tone compared to his earlier masala-style productions like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.... The emotional depth of Mandira’s character resonated deeply with Kajol; she remarked that playing this role taught her that imperfection is acceptable. Johar selected Kajol for her spontaneous and authentic screen presence, praising her distinctive expressiveness. Costume designer Manish Malhotra dressed her character in vibrant attire suitable for a San Francisco hairstylist’s lifestyle, complemented by more casual garments worn at home. A particularly striking red sari worn by Kajol was sourced rather than custom-made to ensure it did not detract from the film’s central themes. Shiraz Siddique styled the remaining cast members.

Filming

Principal photography commenced on 18 December 2008 in Los Angeles, with cinematography led by Ravi K. Chandran. The choreography was overseen by Farah Khan, while action sequences were directed by Sham Kaushal. Sharmishta Roy served as the production designer. Among the assistant directors were Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan, both of whom later made their acting debuts in Johar's Student of the Year.

In January 2009, Shah Rukh Khan incurred a shoulder injury during the filming of an action scene, necessitating surgery and causing a delay in the shooting schedule. Despite experiencing intense migraines due to strenuous character postures, he persisted with filming under medical supervision.

Filming in Los Angeles resumed by March 2009, followed by scenes depicting slums shot in Borivali and mosque sequences captured in Andheri. Production then shifted to San Francisco in May 2009 for a 40-day shoot, which was conducted discreetly amid the 2009 swine flu outbreak to maintain a low profile.

By August 2009, the cast relocated to Film City, Mumbai to shoot the hurricane sequence, utilizing elaborate sets designed by Josh Maidain. These included a dam measuring 135 by 240 meters, churches, residential structures, and a water tank spanning 150 by 150 feet that held approximately 12,000 liters of water. This concluding phase began on 1 September and was completed within a month. During this period, filming was briefly interrupted due to a snake sighting on set.

Editing was handled by Deepa Bhatia, with sound design crafted by Dileep Subramaniam and Anuj Mathur. The final runtime of the film is 155 minutes.

Music

The soundtrack for My Name Is Khan was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, featuring lyrics penned by Iyengar and uncredited contributions from Javed Akhtar. The album includes performances by eight vocalists such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shankar Mahadevan, and Shreya Ghoshal. It comprises six original songs alongside four additional tracks sourced from Karan Johar’s previous films, utilized as background scores. Released on 6 January 2010 through Sony Music, the soundtrack garnered favorable critical reception and enjoyed commercial success.

Marketing

My Name Is Khan was showcased out of competition at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2010. Tickets auctioned on eBay sold out within five seconds, fetching a record price of £1,000 each.

The film’s first look was revealed at a high-profile event in Mumbai featuring Johar, Khan, and Kajol, which was broadcast live across 70 countries via the Star TV Network. Johar emphasized this as an innovative promotional approach for Bollywood, made possible through Fox Star Studios’ partnership with a major American studio. The trailer premiered alongside Avatar (2009) and marked Bollywood’s inaugural use of the roadblock advertising technique—simultaneously airing on all major television channels.

To support the film’s promotion, Reebok launched an exclusive MNIK Footwear and Apparel Collection.

On 1 February 2010, Khan and Kajol became the first Indian actors to ring the opening bell at the New York stock exchange NASDAQ, invited by Fox Searchlight Pictures as part of the global marketing campaign. Additionally, Khan appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, becoming only the second Indian celebrity after Shilpa Shetty to feature on the show, thereby enhancing the film’s visibility in the UK market.

Theatrical

My Name Is Khan had its debut screening in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 10 February 2010, followed by a worldwide cinema release on 12 February 2010. The distribution strategy involved two stages: first, a conventional launch in India and key Diaspora territories such as the UK, US, Gulf nations, and Australia; subsequently, a broader theatrical rollout occurred during April and May in regions including Germany, Poland, and select areas of North America, as outlined by producer Karan Johar.

Pre-sale records

On 7 August 2009, Shah Rukh Khan entered into a global distribution agreement with Fox Star Studios valued at . Fox Star Studios took charge of the Indian market distribution, while the US release was managed by their affiliate studio Fox Searchlight Pictures. Meanwhile, Sony Music India acquired the rights for the film's soundtrack.

Home media

The DVD and Blu-ray editions were launched domestically in India on 21 April 2010, with the international DVD release following on 17 August 2010.

In the United Kingdom, My Name Is Khan emerged as the sixth most viewed foreign-language film on television during 2012, attracting 210,000 viewers on Channel 4. It was also ranked as the second most popular Asian film that year after Red Cliff.

Game

ASTPL, an Indian software company, developed and released a mobile video game inspired by the movie.

Critical response

Internationally, My Name Is Khan was met with extensive praise consistent with favorable reviews from its home market. It maintains an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, lauded for compelling performances that fuse contemporary issues with traditional Bollywood drama. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 50.

India

Within India, critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, particularly highlighting the direction and lead actors' performances. The film is often regarded as Karan Johar's finest work.

Taran Adarsh awarded it 4.5 stars, describing Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal as his finest to date and commending Kajol’s "powerhouse performance" alongside their palpable chemistry. Rediff.com's Raja Sen called it Johar’s "first mature film," praising its inspirational message and awareness-raising qualities. Critics appreciated Johar’s subtle approach to Rizwan’s character development, emphasizing emotional authenticity over excessive melodrama.

Bhavishek Shah of The Hindu hailed it as a milestone for both director and actors, applauding Shah Rukh Khan’s sensitive depiction of Asperger's syndrome. Kajol received acclaim from Rediff.com's Savera R. Someshwar for delivering a genuine and heartfelt performance. Pratim D. Gupta of The Telegraph identified Shah Rukh Khan as the emotional core of the film. Minty Tejpal from Bangalore Mirror noted the movie’s engagement with global social issues such as Islamophobia and challenges faced by the African-American community.

BBC's Manish Gajjar considered Shah Rukh Khan’s role his career-best and praised Kajol for effectively conveying Mandira’s complex emotions. Minu Jain of The New Indian Express commended Johar for venturing into a non-romantic genre, portraying the narrative as a humanistic journey through post-9/11 America. Mayank Shekhar from Hindustan Times valued the strong screenplay and departure from conventional Bollywood musicals. Subhash K. Jha described it as "a flawless work" in both tone and substance. Anna M. M. Vetticad highlighted its deeply moving storyline.

Anupama Chopra underscored Shah Rukh Khan’s Rizwan as the film’s defining element. Filmfare’s Sukanya Venkatraghavan emphasized that beyond its protagonist, the film explores broader themes of humanity and tolerance. Kaveree Bamzai from India Today and Rajeev Masand of IBNLive recommended watching mainly due to Shah Rukh Khan's performance while noting that its message about religious tolerance was important but not unprecedented. Sarita Tanwar of Mid-Day mentioned one overly dramatic moment amid an otherwise restrained narrative.

On the other hand, some critics voiced concerns: Ajit Duara from Open magazine described it as "an expensive yet hollow vessel," critiquing its naive approach and direction. Indroneil Sarkar found fault with its heavy thematic content and flood sequence; Vinod Mirani regarded it as an average film with lavish production but pacing flaws; Ajay Brahmatraj criticized the story's writing; Maithili Rao observed excessive melodrama after the intermission; Deepa Gahlot felt it lacked immediate emotional engagement.

International

Rachel Saltz from The New York Times identifies Khan as one of the select Hindi films engaging with the experiences of Indians living in post-9/11 America, presenting a distinctive Bollywood viewpoint on issues related to Islam and tolerance. Under the direction of Karan Johar and featuring music by Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy, the film skillfully stirs emotions while delving into cultural ties. Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes its powerful depiction of anti-Muslim hysteria and racial profiling within the United States, broadening Shah Rukh Khan’s global influence. Jay Weisberg of Variety commends the film’s production elements and the on-screen rapport between Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, which amplifies its dramatic effectiveness.

While pointing out some narrative shortcomings and limited treatment of subjects such as the Iraq War, Naman Ramachandran from Sight & Sound acknowledges Shah Rukh Khan’s compelling performance. Itrath Syed of The Georgia Straight describes the film as "a complex, politically layered, and emotionally intense work," noting Johar’s occasional use of melodrama but appreciating its genuine portrayal of fear and suspicion experienced by people of color in America. Mark Jenkins from NPR remarks that the movie blends Bollywood’s vibrant style with a Hollywood backdrop, though he questions how accurately Shah Rukh Khan represents Asperger syndrome.

Box office

My Name Is Khan debuted with strong global box office numbers, breaking multiple records; however, its earnings declined after the initial two weeks in several regions, including India and the United States. In India, while it performed well commercially, its returns were regarded as "below expectations" relative to its substantial budget. Conversely, it achieved unprecedented success in international markets. By 4 April 2010, the worldwide gross had reached approximately US$36,145,870. Domestically, it earned a net revenue of Template:INRConvert and a gross of Template:INRConvert. The total global gross stood at Template:INRConvert, including Template:US$ (equivalent to Template:INR) from international markets.

India

The film’s Indian opening weekend amassed an impressive Template:INR (approximately US$6,356,688), marking it as the third-highest net weekend for a Bollywood release at that time, trailing only behind 3 Idiots and Ghajini. It also achieved the third-largest first-day revenue across India and surpassed the first-quarter opening weekend record previously held by Race. The movie saw strong patronage in multiplex cinemas but experienced weaker attendance in single-screen venues, accumulating Template:INRConvert during its initial week.

Ranking fifth in distributor share behind titles like Dabangg, Raajneeti, Golmaal 3, and Housefull, My Name Is Khan maintained the top position at Indian box offices for two straight weeks and stayed within the top five for six weeks overall, ultimately earning Template:INRConvert domestically.

Despite promising early figures, revenue sharply declined after week one; 63% of net collections were generated during this initial period compared to 54% for Race, 56% for Ghajini, 49% for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and 39% for 3 Idiots. Midweek earnings dropped 60% from the opening weekend but still surpassed other major releases, securing the highest first-quarter collections previously held by Race. The film's financial success is largely credited to its record-setting international performance combined with steady domestic revenue.

Overseas

Internationally, My Name Is Khan grossed US$23.5 million across various territories. It set new benchmarks for opening day and weekend earnings overseas for a Bollywood production at that time, overtaking records held by 3 Idiots. The film reportedly earned ₹99 crore on its first day abroad and ₹255 crore over its opening weekend, with a first-week total of ₹393 crore. By August 2010, cumulative grosses reached $4,018,771 in the United States and $37,001,087 across other countries, amounting to $41,019,858 globally.

In the United Kingdom, it debuted with £123,000 on opening day—surpassing the two-day total of 3 Idiots—and became only the third Bollywood film to exceed £2 million within two weeks. Ultimately, it garnered £2.6 million (roughly US$2.6 million), securing its position as the highest-grossing foreign-language film in the UK for 2010.

In the United States market, My Name Is Khan premiered in 120 theatres—a record-breaking number compared to 3 Idiots. It earned US$1.99 million during its opening weekend and totaled $2.55 million by week’s end. By its fourth week in release, it had surpassed Shah Rukh Khan's prior box office record with $3.87 million and exceeded $4 million by day 51, becoming only the second Bollywood film after 3 Idiots to reach this milestone.

Australia saw a strong debut with A$39,000 on day one and a first weekend gross of US$437,687—outperforming 3 Idiots. In New Zealand and Fiji combined, it collected NZ$13,627 on opening day and NZ$232,586 over its theatrical run. In Egypt, it achieved EGP 1 million in revenue and totaled US$517,018 by run's end.

The film also enjoyed notable success in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and East Asian markets. It became Pakistan’s highest-grossing movie ever at that time—surpassing records set by titles such as Avatar, 3 Idiots, and Wanted. By its third week internationally, it was recognized as the top-grossing Bollywood release in the Middle East with earnings totaling US$3.3 million.

Additional key markets included South Africa (US$85,214 opening weekend; total $270,698), Malaysia (RM 105,527 opening weekend; RM 410,864 by second weekend), Nigeria (₦2.31 million opening weekend), Ghana (GH₵10,599 by second weekend), Indonesia (expanded from six to fourteen screens resulting in a threefold increase by week three), Bahrain ($425,825 over seven weeks), Poland ($55,073 opening weekend), South Korea ($2.62 million), Lebanon ($58,683), and Hong Kong where it amassed $107,197 following its release on 5 January 2012.

Box office records

My Name Is Khan established numerous records both domestically and internationally. In India alone, it surpassed previous benchmarks set by films such as Jodhaa Akbar (2008) for Bollywood releases in February and broke first-quarter records formerly held by Race (2008). On an international scale, it became the highest-grossing Indian movie abroad at that point and was the pioneer Indian film to earn over [[100 Crore Club|Template:INRConvert]] outside India. In the UK market specifically, it broke a four-year-old record held by Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) to become that country's highest-grossing Bollywood title while also topping box office charts throughout Middle Eastern territories.

Awards

Main article: List of accolades received by My Name Is Khan

In recognition of his performance in My Name Is Khan, Shah Rukh Khan received honors at the San Francisco Film Festival in 2017—seven years following the film's initial release.

Airport security

Shah Rukh Khan has frequently reported experiencing heightened airport security screenings attributed to his surname and religious background. On 14 August 2009 while promoting My Name Is Khan in the United States, he was detained for more than an hour at Newark Airport after his name triggered an alert within security databases. Despite presenting all required documentation along with contacts from FOX Studios representatives—who were involved with his visit—he underwent secondary screening alongside numerous other South Asian travelers. Intervention from the Indian Consulate facilitated his release; U.S. officials characterized this as standard procedure during security checks.

Khan expressed understanding toward others subjected to similar scrutiny but noted that his celebrity status expedited his clearance process. The incident drew diplomatic attention as Indian authorities sought explanations from U.S. officials regarding security protocols involved. Director Karan Johar dismissed suggestions that this event was orchestrated for publicity purposes given its direct relevance to themes explored in their film. Actor Christopher B. Duncan—who portrayed President Obama in the movie—criticized this episode as symptomatic of widespread paranoia.

The matter sparked extensive discourse among Indian politicians, actors, and fans alike—including public demonstrations supporting Khan’s stance—and led California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to invite him for dinner aimed at easing tensions.

Separately in 2010 on British television broadcasts, Khan revealed that female security personnel at London’s Heathrow Airport printed out a nude image generated from a body scanner; he humorously offered to autograph it afterward. This statement reignited debates surrounding privacy concerns linked to airport scanning technologies used throughout Britain.

These incidents underscored ongoing challenges related to security measures affecting prominent individuals while highlighting sensitivities around profiling practices within international contexts.

Shiv Sena criticism

Following Shah Rukh Khan's public criticism regarding the exclusion of Pakistani players from the 2010 Indian Premier League (IPL), he faced backlash from Shiv Sena, a Hindu nationalist organization demanding cinema owners boycott screenings of My Name Is Khan. In response to these calls for protest actions against him and his film’s exhibition venues in Maharashtra state—the home base of Shiv Sena—Khan maintained he wished people would visit India freely and stated there was no reason for him to apologize since he had not made any statements considered anti-national; he also expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with party leader Bal Thackeray.

Initially Shiv Sena retracted their call to block theatrical releases after assurances allowed widespread screenings nationwide; however on 17 February 2010 masked assailants attacked cinemas along with ticket booking offices during advance sales periods prompting director Karan Johar along with distributors to request police protection measures be stepped up considerably throughout Maharashtra state cinemas screening this title. Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan threatened withdrawal of security cover assigned to party leader Uddhav Thackeray amid escalating tensions related to these incidents which resulted in partial reduction of personal security arrangements around Thackeray himself but led government authorities deploying five battalions from State Reserve Police tasked specifically with protecting sixty-three cinemas showing this movie across Maharashtra region while multiple arrests were made connected to violence alongside cancellation of police leaves during this period.

Despite these disturbances distributor Fox Star confirmed that release plans remained unchanged with premiere occurring on scheduled date of 12 February; moreover box office reports indicated full houses across India reflecting strong consumer demand despite political unrest surrounding this release campaign.

See also

• List of cultural references to the September 11 attacks
• Asperger's syndrome
• Islamophobia