Kabir Khan’s New York is a brave movie and a realistic one at that. It is the story of 3 New Yorkers as the promos have already told you; and how the 9/11 attack on manking changes their lives forever. If that sounds like a cliche to you, I’ll tell you it is, but never before has a cliched and hackneyed topic as this one, been treated so well by Bollywood.

To begin with, let me tell you that New York has got nothing to do about Indian patriotism or the longings for homeland. It is about Americans - real Americans who only bear their Indianness in their language and their surnames. Sameer Sheikh (John Abraham) and Maya (Katrina Kaif) study at the New York State University and the fresh from India Omar played by Neil Nitin Mukesh joins their class and becomes their friend. A few days before their college ends, the 9/11 attack shakes the world and Sameer Sheikh is illegally detained and tortured by the FBI, only to be released after 9 months, for lack of evidence. But after this, he finds it difficult to cope up with his life - the detention record scars his CV and memories of prison keeps haunting him. Sameer and Maya get married but Sameer lives a parallel life of a terrorist and plans to blow up a New York building.

Omar on the other hand, is recruited by the FBI as an under cover agent to keep track of Sameer’s activities, to which he agrees on compulsion. The FBI agent - Roshan, is played by Irrfan Khan (he has added and R to his name) is also a Muslim and has an Italian wife. Irrfan shines like the gem that he is, and has managed to outshine all else.

Here I’ll stop the story and let you find out the rest all by yourself.

Kabir Khan has managed to make both Katrina Kaif and John Abraham act - and act well. As usual, Irrfan Khan is stunning as I old you already, and so is Neil Nitin Mukesh. The crisp editing and neat storyline gives you moments hold back your breath, curl up on the seat and also laugh. On their first meeting Sameer (John) hugs Omear (Neil) and Omar says, “I’ve just come”, meaning he has just arrived in New York. And Sameer says, “Oh really, but I’ve only just hugged you.” Smart isn’t it?
Not a word has been spoken unnecessarily, and not a single shot without purpose.

Above everything else, New York is a movie about tug of wars between religion, justice, humanity, vengeance and the state. It is about making choices, about giving in to the temptation of picking up firearms and about what America and Islam can and cannot do. In the movie the character of Irrfan tells Omar (Neil):
“I am a Muslim and I have been given the responsibilty to track this case. This is only possible in this country Omar. This country has its mistakes but it is this country that has made us what we are, from mere immigrants.”

He also says towards the end:
“Noone was wrong; it was the time that was wrong…this is today’s generation; we’ve left 9/11 beind and now its time to move on.” 

And you would have a feeling, that you are only too lucky that two tall buildings in your city were not hit by two airplanes one fine day and smashed to the ground.

GO WATCH IT…..