Star Trek 2

Kanwaljit Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 11-Dec-2011, 05:33 AM

In the upcoming movie, a villain is being proposed who could again restart all that confusion of Sikhs being Muslims in US:

Star Trek 2’s villain has been revealed as Khan Noonien Singh, the genetically-engineered human who served as a wonderful nemesis to Kirk in Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan. The iconic image of William Shatner giving it some serious welly with his anguished, furious yell of “KHAAAAAAAAAN!” is unlikely to be replicated too closely, but we do hope for at least some small reference. Benecio Del Toro has passed on the part, so we will eagerly await the news of who JJ Abrams beams in as a replacement.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/general-discussion/37725-star-trek-2-a.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37725

Source:
http://www.screengeek.co.uk/news/art...merican-psycho

Ishna · #2 (**permalink**) 11-Dec-2011, 05:51 AM

In the original Wrath of Khan movie I don't think there was much if any reference to Khan being Sikh in his early years. I only discovered this a few months ago -- apparently there's much more in the story book!

I am curious to know what this new movie is going to be about -- perhaps they will focus more on Khan's childhood, but it should be clear from that that he isn't Muslim...

Although, given the description here, I don't think the authors did their homework on Sikhi before connecting his character to it!

Quote:

Khan's background was suspected to be Sikh, from the northern region of India.

McGivers's portrait of a 20th century Khan. Khan would live up to the axiom coined by one of his creators, "superior ability breeds superior ambition". By 1993, a wave of the genetic "supermen" including Khan, had simultaneously assumed control of more than 40 of Earth's nations. From 1992 to 1996, Khan was absolute ruler of more than one-quarter of Earth's population, including regions of Asia and the Middle East. Considered "the best of tyrants", he severely curtailed the freedoms of his subjects, but his reign was an exception to similar circumstances in Earth history – lacking massacres or internal war.

'Sikh' and 'Tyrant' don't belong in the same personal space!! Then again, I can't speak for genetically modified humans, hahaha.

Thanks for bring this up Kanwaljit ji, I'm off to investigate!

And anyway, Sikhs are almost represented in Star Trek in the form of Klingons. hahahaha

Ishna · #3 (**permalink**) 11-Dec-2011, 06:02 AM

More info about Khan: http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2005/09/...aaaaaaaannn_1/
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37725

Unfortunately the 'Sikhs in sci-fi' link from that site isn't working at the moment.

Kanwaljit Singh · #4 (**permalink**) 11-Dec-2011, 06:04 AM

The very fact the villain is called Khan and has last name Singh is enough to confuse. But they could say all is fair in the name of science fiction. Funny I didn't know the character's name is a lot older, who would have thought then we would have such problems now.

Ishna · #5 (**permalink**) 11-Dec-2011, 06:10 AM

And I thought this was kinda funny on a forum discussing Sikhs and Klingons (cute opinions of non-Sikhs):

Spinmaster X: Why do Sikhs get to wear turbans in military uniform but others can't? I remember when we went to Israel they wouldn't let the Jewish troops in my squadron wear their yarmulkes.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37725

Rade: Turban = bad@ss warrior gear.
Yarmulke = not so much
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37725

Ishna · #6 (**permalink**) 11-Dec-2011, 06:13 AM

Kanwaljit ji

I don't think he's called by his full name in the original film, I think he's just known as Khan. I will re-watch the film shortly (I have them all on DVD... thanks dad... *blush *)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37725
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37725

No one would make the Sikh connection unless they had read the book.

However we could be in trouble if they are making a new movie and intend to elaborate on his childhood and youth.

Ensign Ishna will monitor the situation with all sensors...

Mai Harinder Kaur · #7 (**permalink**) 11-Dec-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishna

Kanwaljit ji

I don't think he's called by his full name in the original film, I think he's just known as Khan. I will re-watch the film shortly (I have them all on DVD... thanks dad... *blush *)

No one would make the Sikh connection unless they had read the book.

However we could be in trouble if they are making a new movie and intend to elaborate on his childhood and youth.

Ensign Ishna will monitor the situation with all sensors...

I believe Lt. Marla McGivers calls him by his full name in "Space Seed," The original Star Trek episode. She is also the one who painted that picture of him. This episode was the first time many people in the West ever heard of Sikhs, "a wonderful warrior people from northern India," if I remember Marla correctly.

Here they are in one of their lighter moments.

A whole mythology has grown up around him. Evidently he was quite peaceful until 1984 radicalised him. I think that is actually likely, as that is exactly what happened to many Sikhs. I just can't get over his cropped hair and lack of beard, especially after being in suspended animation for over 200 years. Some hair would have grown. (Funny how easy it is to think of fictional characters as real.)

I have proof that Gene Roddenberry modeled the Klingons after the Sikhs in the form of a letter from him to my MIL about that subject. She suggested that he modify his portrayal of the Klingons as more ethical than just nasty violent. He agreed. He kept his word. Notice that the Klingons in the movies and the series following are much less evil than the ones in TOS. I'm not certain how much her correspondence contributed to that, but her influence is surely there.

BTW, the Klingons are atheists since they got angry at their gods sometime in the distant past and killed them all off.

Oh, oh, I think I may have given myself away as a Trekkie geek.

japposatnamwaheguru:

Ishna · #8 (**permalink**) 11-Dec-2011, 09:27 AM

Wow Mai ji, I like how you've matched the colour of your chunni to your officer's uniform.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37725

I haven't seen much of the original series, but might have to track that particular episode down now.

Thanks for the extra information!!