The 9/11 episode has inspired many filmmakers. This is Kabir Khan's version. It's about three friends, Sameer (John), Maya (Katrina) and Omar (Neil) living in America.
What's it about: The 9/11 episode has inspired many filmmakers. This is Kabir Khan's version. It's about three friends, Sameer (John), Maya (Katrina) and Omar (Neil) living in America.
Omar falls in love in Maya but when he learns that she loves Sameer, he moves away from their world. Only to return seven years later, at the insistence of FBI officer Roshan (Irrfan Khan), who suspects that Sameer is the head of a sleeper cell that is planning an attack in the US.
Omar is arrested on false charges and is forced to help the FBI. He only agrees to act as their spy to prove that Sameer is not a terrorist. But Omar soon realises he is out of depth.
What's good: Kabir Khan is often accused of being a documentary-style filmmaker. But this time, he pulls off a full-on commercial film, albeit with a serious subject. He has captured New York beautifully. At places, the screenplay is really tight and gripping that's where he scores.
The first half breezes past. Maya's bonding with the guys is established well. The scene when Omar sees Maya after seven years is super. The subject is intense but Khan's handling doesn't make it morose in any way. There are many memorable scenes in the film.u00a0
Music is average but two songs stand out Junoon and Mere Sang. Among the performances, Katrina Kaif is surprisingly good. She handles the part well. The director has her in tight close-ups in major emotional scenes, and she doesn't disappoint.
Watch her in the scene when she hears the news on TV that a cop has been killed; the one where she confronts Neil and even when she plays mommy effortlessly. Neil Nitin Mukesh is in form once again after Johnny Gaddar.
Strangely, Neil has a bigger and better role than John. John's jail sequences are brilliant. First anger, then helplessness then surrendering to his fate. Irrran Khan repeats his cop act once again but no complaints on his performance.
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Whats bad: While the whole world felt those tremors of the Twin Towers collapsing, the film comes a bit too late after the tragedy to really make an impact.
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Also, the most crucial part of the film the victimisation of Sameer is passed off in a few scenes, which doesn't really justify his actions later. There are too many loopholes in the film.
What's that: There's a limit to cinematic liberties, especially in a film of this nature. Omar is hardly in a position to bargain with the FBI but he still dramatically tosses and breaks the bugs that Roshan wants him to plant in Sameer's home.
Also, if the FBIu00a0 had information on an impending terror attack, would they really pussyfoot about? Instead of gunning for their target directly, would they dig out an old friend and bully him into finding out the truth for them?
Also the suspected terrorist gets permisson to clean the FBI building!! And why long dialogue-baazi in the end? Do we really need to hear lines like, "Ek terrorist ke bete ko kandho pe bithaya hai?"
What to do: When you attempt a subject like this, you've got to be watertight; New York isn't. However if you have nothing better to do on a rainy day, go for it.
New York
U; drama
Dir: Kabir Khan
Cast: John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Irrfan Khan
**u00bd
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