In the film My Name is Khan, the son of Rizwan Khan and Mandira Rathod tragically dies after being subjected to bullying.
The Unfortunate Incident
The bullying directed at their son escalated severely, culminating in a fatal attack. He was killed on the school football field, a devastating event that profoundly impacted his parents and set the central conflict of the story into motion.
Impact and Aftermath
The death of their son triggered a chain of significant events for both Rizwan and Mandira:
- Mandira's Grief and Blame: Overwhelmed by sorrow and anger, Mandira squarely blamed Rizwan Khan for their son's death. This accusation stemmed from the heightened anti-Muslim sentiment prevalent after 9/11, associating Rizwan's Muslim identity with the tragedy.
- Khan's Mission: In a moment of despair, Mandira tells Rizwan to go tell the whole world that his name is Khan and he is not a terrorist. Due to his Asperger's syndrome, Rizwan takes this statement literally and embarks on a cross-country journey across the United States to deliver this message to the President.
- Mandira's Quest for Justice: Following the tragedy, Mandira remained determined to uncover the truth. She devoted herself to finding out who killed her son, seeking justice for his untimely death.
This tragic event is a pivotal moment in the film, driving the individual journeys of both parents as they grapple with grief, blame, and a quest for resolution.
