Yash Chopra's New York

An Interesting Film About the Aftermath of 9/11

Jul 15, 2009 Azharul Islam

The film tells the story of three New York university students whose lives are changed by 9/11

The feel of this movie is amazing. Although the narrative of the film is rooted in the traditional Bollywood love triangle format, the screenplay works well for the story. Director of Kabul Express Kabir Khan has manged to make a film that is thought provoking and entertaining.

The story is about what happens to three friends in the aftermath of 9/11. Omar played by Neil Nitin Mukesh, Samir played by John Abraham and Maya played by Katrina Kaif meet two years before 9/11, as time passes they all become close friends and eventially in true Bollywood fashion both Omar and Sam fall in love with Maya. Maya chooses Sam and then Omar distances himself from the group.

Racial Profiling

What happens later deals with the paranoia that resulted from the tragedy of 9/11. It deals with racial profiling. After the Twin Towers incident people with brown skin were targeted by the police as being suspected terrorists. This suspicion was not only from the police, even some civilians started to fear all Muslims. This fear lead to a number of innocent people being detained by the police in USA and England.

Omar is wrongfully arrested by the FBI for being a terrorist when they find guns in the boot of his Taxi Cab. Then the FBI offers him a plea bargain, they want Omar to spy on his old friend Sam, who they believe is a terrorist. Omar reluctantly agrees as he wants to prove his innocence.

Kabir Khan Raises The Bar for Bollywood Directors

The film evokes the same images as the Pakistani film Khuda Kay Liye, however the acting from the stellar cast, the tightly written screenplay and the love for the characters makes New York a much better product.

Director Kabir Khan is fairly new to Bollywood, with New York he shows a great deal of improvement since his first film Kabul Express.

The songs and the background score by Pritam is average and nothing special but it is pleasant and consistent. Unlike most Bollywood films that tackle serious subjects Kabir Khan makes sure the songs are not just dropped into the narrative. The songs fit into the narrative and the backdrop without causing any disruption to the flow of the story.

New York is by far the best film to come out of the Yash Chopra production house for years. John Abraham and Katrina Kaif give the best performances of their career so far. However the real surprise comes from Neil Nitin Mukesh, he is definitely an actor to watch out for. He portrays a very rattled and fragile character with perfection.

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