New York - 7 Years After
Year: 2009
Writer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Kabir Khan
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Length: 153 minutes
Category: Drama And Suspense
Media: Film
So here we are finally, with the review of the first big release in the last six months. I agree there have been other movies released in the meantime, but none as big as New York. We had seen the promos of New York as early as January, and there was enough curiosity on how the movie would shape up.
New York tries to touch upon a much talked about, written about and filmed topic, the USA, post September 11, 2001. For those of us who have been to New York post 9/11 will agree, standing beside Ground Zero (The Twin Towers), is indeed unnerving. If you have traveled across the USA post 9/11, as an Asian, you may have been subject to random frisking or a security check at the airport. While that experience was scary enough, New York - The Movie, tries to portray the plight of the Muslims post 9/11. How innocent humans were subject to atrocities just based on the fact that their religion was Islam (the same as those of the militants behind 9/11).
Sameer Sheikh a.k.a Sam (John Abraham) plays a young American Indian who is center of attraction at NYU. He studies architecture and is quite a Casanova. Maya (Katrina Kaif) plays the love interest of Sam. Omar (Neil Nitin Mukesh) plays a Delhi boy who lands up in NYU on a scholarship. Omar falls for Maya, but is heartbroken to learn that she is in love with Sam. Unlike other Hindi movies which have a college theme, this movie doesn’t spend too much time on the campus life. The focus is clearly 9/11, FBI, the physical and mental abuse on innocent Muslims, the portrayal of the repercussions and why the US is still such a great country.
While the film could have done a little more to tackle the issue of global terrorism, it does portray the atrocities on innocent Muslims, detained on suspicion of being enemy combatants, very very effectively. John Abraham once again does a phenomenal job as a Anti hero (after Dhoom). His characterization could have been beefed up further. Niel Mukesh plays his part well, although not as natural as John or Irrfan Khan. Katrina plays a very mature role, looking the simplest she has done in a long time. To my mind both Irrfan and John are the stars of the movie, with Irrfan packing a punch in his every dialog delivery.
Go watch New York, it depicts reality to a large extent. While it is not a great thriller it does leave you wondering as to how the acts of a few religious fundamentalists ruined the lives of several others, of the same religion.
Catch These Flicks in ‘009, Part 1
December 17, 2008 by krisdhingra
Filed under News
The Year 2009 is just 2 weeks away and this time the celebrations are going to be much less extravagant and toned down as compared to any of the previous years of the 21st century. The past few months of 2008 have left the world in a state that very few people have ever seen. The economy is reeling, lay offs are on the rise and after the recent terror attacks in mumbai there isn’t too much of a feel good factor around. People are therefore celebrating the old-fashioned way by spending more time with parents and are enjoying themselves with less expensive pass times like watching movies, taking short trips close to home etc.
While most people and industries have been affected by the current economic climate, some industries have also benefited. The Movie industry for instance would be one such industry which would do well in 2009. So if you’re a movie buff looking forward to the movies that are gonna be out next year, then you have something to feel good about. Bollywood is lining up a couple of movies that everyone is looking forward to in the next year and all them seem to have innovative and interesting plot lines. So let’s have a look at what’s in store in 2009.
New York
As the trailer and the name of the movie suggests, New York is a story of three friends studying in NYC. They seem to be living their dreams till 9/11 happens and their world is turned around. New York will be YRF’s first release in 2009 and this theatrical trailer was released with the release of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi on 12th December,2008. The film is directed by National Award-winning director Kabir Khan whio had earlier worked with John Abraham in Kabul Express.
Well, the trailer looks quite interesting and it will surely draw the educated Indians in India and other countries to it as they would be eager to see an Indian interpretation of the 9/11 attacks.
Delhi 6
After the immense success of Rang De Basanti, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is back with a movie that showcases Delhi from the eye of an NRI. New York is again present in this movie as is visible from the trailer. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor, and the movie is about Roshan Mehra, who travels to India with his ailing grandmother. Little does he realise that this short trip will turn into the longest journey of his life a journey where he discovers India and himself. The story is told against the backdrop of the walled city of old Delhi. And the number 6 in the title is the postal pin code of the area. It is anticipated that the movie would again carry some kind of social message.
Rakeysh Mehra along with Aamir Khan are 2 of bollywood’s most intelligent filmmakers and the audiences would definitely be eager to know what Delhi-6 is about. The Delhites in particular would love to discover the splendor of Old Delhi on film after a long time. The film is slated to release in late February, 2009.
In the next part we’ll cover 2 more movies with even bigger star casts and fascinating storylines, so stay tuned.
