My Name Is Khan
Rizwan Khan, a Muslim from the Borivali section of Mumbai, has Asperger's syndrome. He marries a Hindu single mother, Mandira, in San Francisco. After 9/11, Rizwan is detained by authorities at LAX who treat him as a terrorist because of his condition and his race.
Despite its small-scale budget of $12.0M, My Name Is Khan became a solid performer, earning $42.3M worldwide—a 253% return. The film's unconventional structure attracted moviegoers, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
My Name Is Khan (2010) exemplifies strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Karan Johar's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rizwan Khan being interrogated by authorities, establishing his unique condition and his quest to meet the President. Flashback structure begins showing his childhood in Mumbai with Asperger's syndrome.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when Rizwan meets Mandira, a Hindu single mother and salon owner. He is immediately drawn to her, disrupting his orderly world. This begins his transformation from isolated individual to someone seeking connection.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 41 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Rizwan chooses to marry Mandira despite family opposition. He commits fully to building a life with her and Sameer, entering a new world of family and belonging., moving from reaction to action.
At 83 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Sameer is killed in a schoolyard fight sparked by post-9/11 hatred. This devastating false defeat destroys the family's happiness. Everything changes - the stakes become life and death, the fun is over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 123 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Rizwan is arrested as a suspected terrorist after being seen at multiple Presidential events. He is interrogated, tortured, and held without charges. His mission seems impossible, his freedom lost, and connection to Mandira severed., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 132 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rizwan is released when authorities find no evidence against him. He gains national attention. He synthesizes his mother's wisdom with his love for Mandira, understanding that his journey proves good people exist everywhere. He continues his mission with renewed purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
My Name Is Khan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping My Name Is Khan against these established plot points, we can identify how Karan Johar utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish My Name Is Khan within the drama genre.
Karan Johar's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Karan Johar films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. My Name Is Khan takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Karan Johar filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Karan Johar analyses, see Student Of The Year.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rizwan Khan being interrogated by authorities, establishing his unique condition and his quest to meet the President. Flashback structure begins showing his childhood in Mumbai with Asperger's syndrome.
Theme
Rizwan's mother teaches him: "There are only two kinds of people in this world - good people who do good deeds, and bad people who do bad." This becomes the film's central thematic statement about looking beyond labels.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Rizwan's childhood in Mumbai, his relationship with his mother and brother Zakir, his Asperger's syndrome and how he sees the world differently. His move to San Francisco to work with Zakir, introduction to American life.
Disruption
Rizwan meets Mandira, a Hindu single mother and salon owner. He is immediately drawn to her, disrupting his orderly world. This begins his transformation from isolated individual to someone seeking connection.
Resistance
Rizwan courts Mandira in his unique way, learning about love and family. He bonds with her son Sameer. Zakir objects to the relationship. Rizwan debates whether he can be a husband and stepfather despite his condition.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rizwan chooses to marry Mandira despite family opposition. He commits fully to building a life with her and Sameer, entering a new world of family and belonging.
Mirror World
Rizwan, Mandira, and Sameer form a happy blended family. Their life together represents the promise of the premise - love transcending differences. The family dynamic teaches Rizwan about unconditional acceptance.
Premise
The family thrives in their community. Rizwan experiences happiness and belonging. However, 9/11 occurs, and the world shifts. Post-9/11 prejudice begins affecting their lives as Muslim-identified family. Sameer faces bullying and discrimination.
Midpoint
Sameer is killed in a schoolyard fight sparked by post-9/11 hatred. This devastating false defeat destroys the family's happiness. Everything changes - the stakes become life and death, the fun is over.
Opposition
Mandira, grief-stricken, blames Rizwan's Muslim name and tells him to leave, saying he can only return when he tells the President "My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist." Rizwan begins his cross-country journey, facing increasing obstacles, prejudice, and suspicion.
Collapse
Rizwan is arrested as a suspected terrorist after being seen at multiple Presidential events. He is interrogated, tortured, and held without charges. His mission seems impossible, his freedom lost, and connection to Mandira severed.
Crisis
In detention, Rizwan processes his darkest moment. He nearly breaks but remembers his mother's teaching about good and bad people. Media attention builds around his case, creating public debate about his treatment.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rizwan is released when authorities find no evidence against him. He gains national attention. He synthesizes his mother's wisdom with his love for Mandira, understanding that his journey proves good people exist everywhere. He continues his mission with renewed purpose.
Synthesis
Rizwan helps a hurricane-devastated community, demonstrating goodness through action. He finally meets the President and delivers his message. He reunites with Mandira, who has witnessed his journey and healed from her grief. Their reconciliation completes both arcs.
Transformation
Rizwan and Mandira embrace, reunited. The closing image mirrors the opening but transformed - no longer alone and interrogated, Rizwan stands recognized, loved, and vindicated. He has proven that identity transcends labels and love conquers fear.