I have no idea what Rudyard Kipling may have thought about Muslims back then but today, when you watch Jungle Book, it does ring a bell to hear the villain being named ‘Khan’. For a young mind that is exposed to news where most often than not, Muslim names are associated with ‘terrorists’, this just cements the belief that if it has to be KHAN then it means ‘evil’. I dread to think what would be the questions from my little one (who is so quick to pick up everything) if at all, the Bollywood film – My Name is Khan was to be released now. The most prominent line from the movie was – My name is KHAN and I am NOT a TERRORIST. She would immediately associate this ‘terrorist’ word with KHAN and then the Sher KHAN from Jungle Book. Her question at bed time would be – Mom, KHANS are Terrorist / not good?
In Hindi films, it is not uncommon for the bad guy to be spotted in a beard and skull cap and have a typical Muslim name. I so hope Hollywood films do not follow suit. This entire indoctrination has to be looked at. It is subconscious fodder being fed to make believe or rather associate ‘terror’ / ‘evil’ with a particular religion and I hate to admit it – with Islam.
