New York –Gripping, Bold and Refreshingly Sensitive!..

Seldom do we witness sensitive, thought provoking thrillers from Bollywood but New York is clearly an exception. The film manages to stir viewers and make them think.

Kabir Khan’s film - New York features the story of three friends- Sameer (John), Omar (Mukesh), and Maya (Katrina) who meet as students in New York. The film brilliantly presents the impact of 9/11 on their lives. It subtly potrays, how the aftermath of that catastrophic event lead the world to unfortunately equate Islam with fundamentalism, terrorism and spread hatred.

The film grips you from start and the first half races along with your heart beat. The second half is sluggish but it boldly presents glimpses of life in a penitentiary and the end looks quite convincing. Although Obama has closed Guantanamo Bay, and people might even forget, but it will take a long time to redeem and heal the scars of innocent, immigrants and suspected terrorists.

Apparently foreign locations and love triangle are integral part of Yash Raj Films, and here it becomes the central theme. John remarkably plays the role of a gregarious student and a suspected terrorist. Neil falters during the climax, struggles with his grandfather’s song, but brilliantly displays his loyalty and delicately enacts Omar’s tortured state. His cameo with Irrfan is incredible. Katrina’s accent, her emotions are convincing and the director cleverly juxtaposes it with Maya. FBI officer Roshan (Irrfan) is undoubtedly the show stealer. Zilgai (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is absolutely brilliant and looks promising.

This film suffers in bits and some scenes fails to create the required background, tension, anxiety, and intensity. Pritam’s music is good, youthful and the Hai Junoon number keeps playing in your mind for a long time.

Aseem Mishra’s lens captures various emotions and often shoots wide angles to present the wonderful panorama of Big Apple, Hudson and Manhattan. The cinematography is the hallmark of this film. The director could have added some shaky effect, like those produced by handheld camera in documentary films to enhance some action shots.

Incidentally New York bears some similarity with a Pakistani film Khuda kay liyay. This film has received international awards including a fatwa. The film features Naseeruddin Shah and throws light on terrorism, paranoia, suspicion, fundamentalism and the liberated Muslims.

Having said that do watch the film New York !