And the Award Goes to…: Ramnath Goenka Award

Every year,the Ramnath Goenka Award goes to a film that shows the courage of imagination. This year it went to My Name Is Khan.

Shekhar Gupta,Editor-in-Chief,The Indian Express Group on the attributes that made My Name Is Khan the winner of the coveted Ramnath Goenka Award.

Every year,the Ramnath Goenka Award goes to a film that shows the courage of imagination. A film that boldly takes on subjects which usually go unseen,unheard and,therefore,unfilmed.

The choice this year is an unconventional one. For its daring sweep of subjects,both political and personal,for portraying a young Muslim’s need to be understood to the challenges faced by those with Aspergers Syndrome,from grappling with race and religion in the United States to love and longing between two individuals,the Ramnath Goenka Award this year goes to My Name Is Khan.

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Karan Johar: I always wanted to tell this story of Muslims and the misconceptions about them that have prevailed and increased after 9/11. The issue had international relevance and the only way that I thought the message would be made clear was with a simple protagonist who saw life in just two colours – black and white.

Hence the hero with a simple,uncluttered mindset who takes his wife’s angry suggestion of “Go tell the President of USA” seriously. This is an award different from the normal Best Director awards I have got for films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai with which I have always been associated. This story had to be made and this award as well as the box-office response has charged me enough to now go back refreshed to my next film.