‘My Name Is Khan’ (2010) is a bold exploration of Islam, the Asperger syndrome, terrorism, relationships and religion. It is a film that will move audiences with its emotional story and thought-provoking themes.
Karan Johar, the film’s director, has brought together a star-studded cast, including Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Anupam Kher. The film is a production of Dharma Productions, Fox Star Studios, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Red Chillies Entertainment.
‘My Name Is Khan’ is a film that is sure to stay with audiences long after they have seen it as it will make you laugh, cry and think.
Karan Johar, one of Bollywood’s most successful directors, is known for his loyalty to his music team back in the days and he chose Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, at the peak of their career. After the musical success of ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003) and ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ (2006), it would have been risky to experiment with another team for ‘My Name Is Khan’. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy delivered once again, with record-breaking music sales. The lyrics for the film were written by Niranjan Iyengar.
Karan Johar decided to stick with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for ‘My Name Is Khan’ because they had already proven themselves to be a successful team on his previous films. He didn’t want to risk using a different music composer and potentially ruining the film’s soundtrack, which is a very important part of any big budget film.
The soundtrack of the film is not a collection of standalone songs, but rather a musical journey that reflects the emotional and spiritual journey of the film’s protagonist. It is a soundtrack that is best appreciated when watched in the context of the film, as it is inextricably linked to the story and characters.
The song “Sajda” is a beautiful and moving piece that explores the themes of identity, loss and soul-searching. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Sufi vocals are perfectly complemented by the atmospheric orchestration and synthesisers, creating a truly transcendent listening experience.
The song as a whole sets a mood of reflection and introspection. It is neither exciting nor sad, but rather a deeply personal and intimate exploration of the human condition. Richa Sharma’s prelude perfectly captures the essence of the soundtrack, setting the stage for a journey of self-discovery.
In short, the song is a masterpiece that is best experienced in the context of the film. “Sajda” is a song that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
“Sajda” is a meditative and spiritual journey, supported by a masterful orchestration. The tabla and dholak provide a steady rhythm in the background, allowing the singers to express their emotions fully. The interludes feature reflective musical pieces that evoke a sense of deep awakening and introspection. The trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy has ensured that the song will stay with listeners long after they have heard it.
Interestingly, the chorus of the song transforms it into a surprisingly high-class track, without being too harsh on the ears. It is a song that connects with the heart, mind and spirit.
“Noor-E-Khuda” is a powerful and moving exploration of inner peace and the deeper meaning of life. The exquisite vocals of Adnan Sami, Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal perfectly capture the sense of longing and yearning for a connection with the spirit and mind. The acoustic guitars that subtly open the song create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, setting the stage for the emotionally charged lyrics by Niranjan Iyengar.
The song also explores the concept of peace in a new and unique way. Adnan Sami’s handling of the song in the lower octave demonstrates his amazing versatility and control, while also conveying the depth and weight of the lyrics.
Overall, “Noor-E-Khuda” is a stunning and thought-provoking song that is sure to resonate with listeners on a deep level.
The song takes a twist when Adnan Sami tackles the first ‘antara’ (verse) and the music that follows is pure bliss. Listeners are transported to a world of rustic feelings and mysteriousness. Shreya Ghoshal’s semi-classical vocals in the middle of the track elevate the repeat value significantly. Her entry is flawless and creates an angelic atmosphere from that point on.
After a series of meditative and spiritual songs that focused on the soul, spirit and mind, “Tere Naina” takes a turn towards the heart. Shafqat Amanat Ali’s vocals are perfectly suited for the song and he effortlessly switches between a relaxing and upbeat delivery as the song shifts genres in the middle.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy rely on some familiar musical notes in “Tere Naina”, which are reminiscent of their work on other big-budget Bollywood films like ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ (2006) and ‘Salaam-E-Ishq’ (2007). However, they make sure that the song does not cross into the realm of being too Bollywoodian and maintains the overall mood of the soundtrack. This is largely due to the controlled and nuanced vocals of Shafqat Amanat Ali.
The song begins with a chorus and quickly injects a romantic flavour, which is to be expected from a SRK film. It then turns into a moderate qawwali for a moment before reverting back to the romantic feel. There is no doubt that the song has a Karan Johar influence from the prelude, which makes it instantly likeable. Overall, “Tere Naina” is an entertaining, lively and welcome relief from the more meditative and spiritual songs.
‘My Name Is Khan’ would not be complete without the song “Allah Hi Rahem”, which deals with the theme of Islam. Rashid Khan’s powerful vocals and the soulful Sufi music create a truly moving and spiritual experience. The harmonium, male chorus and heavy strings in the background further elevate the song to another level. “Allah Hi Rahem” is the epitome of the film.
The “Khan Theme” is performed by the Bombay Film Orchestra and has a strong Hollywood influence. The electronic piano, violins and strings dominate the instrumental landscape and the piece explores the various themes of the movie in a vivid and evocative way. However, its short duration prevents it from fully realizing its potential. The “Khan Theme” has a standard ethereal electronic sound.
Back then, the rapidly emerging singer Suraj Jagan joins forces with Shankar Mahadevan for the second highly commercial song on the soundtrack, “Rang De”. Shankar Mahadevan brings his signature rock influence to the song through his enthusiastic vocals and composition. The orchestration is similar to that of the Bollywood films ‘Rock On!!’ (2008) and ‘London Dreams’ (2009). Suraj Jagan delivers a superb performance, defining the new rock voice in Bollywood and showcasing his emerging talent. “Rang De” is a welcome change of pace on the soundtrack and its high energy is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
That decade was poised to see the release of one of the biggest and most ambitious films ever made, ‘My Name Is Khan’. With composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy at the helm, there is little room for error. It is safe to assume that the score for the film strictly adheres to the film’s various themes, which are serious, important and even controversial at times. The music does not stray from the core essence of these themes.
