'My Name Is Khan', Bollywood Director Karan Johar to be Honored with Media Award
March 04, 2010
MPAC today announced that it will honor the groundbreaking Bollywood film "My Name is Khan" and director Karan Johar with the 19th annual Voices of Courage & Conscience Media Award on Saturday, May 1st in Los Angeles.
Click here to purchase your tickets now.
Taking place against the backdrop of the 9/11 attacks, "My Name is Khan" blends a love story of Asperger-affected Rizwan Khan (played by Shahrukh Khan) and Mandira (played by Kajol) with the harsh realities of being a South Asian Muslim in the U.S. post-9/11. Since its Feb. 12th release, "My Name is Khan" has become Bollywood's most successful box office opener in international markets. It grossed the highest opening weekend and opening day overseas for a Bollywood film.
"This film challenged me to understand a multitude of perspectives as I tried to convey all of the various opinions, facts, and propaganda that comes with the global issue of discrimination and intolerance towards a race of people completely unassociated with the evils of terrorism," said director Karan Johar.
Media Awards tickets are $150 per person, or $1500 per table. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Call (213) 383-3443 to reserve your tickets today. RSVP deadline is April 24, 2010.
In its review of the film, the New York Times said: "'Khan' is one of a handful of Hindi films about Indians living in a paranoid, post-9/11 America, and there's something fascinating about looking at this country through a Bollywood lens, even when the story is a kind of fairy tale... Skillfully directed by Karan Johar and with an evocative score by Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy, 'Khan' jerks tears with ease, while teaching lessons about Islam and tolerance."
The 19th annual MPAC Media Awards Gala will also honor:
- Pulitzer-nominated author Dave Eggers for his bestseller "Zeitoun" about a Muslim American family facing the fallout of Hurricane Katrina
- First-time writer/director Cherien Dabis for her award-winning independent film "Amreeka" about a family of Palestinian immigrants grappling with intolerance and identity against the backdrop of the 1991 Gulf War
- ABC Television for a touching episode of "Grey's Anatomy" called "Give Peace a Chance" featuring a Muslim character in a positive role.
The Media Awards honors artists, actors, activists and executives who use art and media to create enriching and humanizing portrayals of Islam and Muslims, promote diversity and social justice issues, and inspire action.
MPAC's Media Awards is a production of its Hollywood Bureau, which serves as a resource and ally to television networks, film studios, screenwriters and the creative community at large.
- Edina Lekovic (edina@mpac.org)
Communications Director
