New York (2009 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment (Film) |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Kabir Khan (director), Aditya Chopra (producer) |
| Headquarters | Mumbai , India |
| Products | Hindi-language thriller film |
| Parent | Yash Raj Films |
New York is a 2009 Indian Hindi thriller film helmed by director Kabir Khan and scripted by Sandeep Shrivastava, based on a narrative developed by producer Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films production house. The cast features John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Katrina Kaif, and Irrfan Khan. Set against the backdrop of post-9/11 America, the storyline centers on three friends attending the fictional New York State University, whose lives are profoundly affected by the repercussions of the September 11 attacks and the resulting socio-political climate.
This project marked Kabir Khan’s second directorial venture with Yash Raj Films following his acclaimed debut Kabul Express (2006), which also starred Abraham. The film’s cinematography was managed by Aseem Mishra, with editing by Rameshwar S. Bhagat. Filming took place across locations including New York City, Philadelphia, and India. The background score was composed by Julius Packiam, marking his second collaboration with Chopra and Kabir, while the soundtrack was created by Pritam featuring lyrics penned by Shrivastava; one song included guest performances from Pankaj Awasthi and lyricist Junaid Wasi.
Upon its release on 26 June 2009, New York garnered favorable critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, and acting performances—particularly those of Abraham, Mukesh, and Kaif. It achieved commercial success, becoming the sixth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2009.
At the 55th Filmfare Awards, New York secured two nominations: Best Actress (Kaif) and Best Supporting Actor (Mukesh).
Plot
In 2008, Omar Aijaz, an Indian Muslim residing in the United States, is apprehended by the FBI after weapons are discovered in a taxi registered under his name. Agent Roshan, a South Asian Muslim operative, suspects Omar might be linked to Samir "Sam" Sheikh, a former college acquaintance believed to have ties to terrorist activities. Unaware of Sam’s current circumstances, Omar is coerced into surveilling him.
A flashback to 1999 reveals Omar’s arrival in America for university studies, where he befriends Sam and Maya, a student counselor. The trio develops a strong friendship, though Omar harbors unspoken feelings for Maya. Maya and Sam eventually fall in love, but their lives are disrupted following the September 11 attacks.
Returning to the present timeline, Omar reconnects with Sam and Maya—now married with a son named Danyal—while continuing to report to Roshan. Maya is engaged in civil rights activism and supports Sam’s employee and former detainee Zilgai as he copes with trauma from post-9/11 experiences. Initially unable to find incriminating evidence against Sam, Omar learns that Sam endured nine months of detention at Guantánamo Bay where he suffered torture and became radicalized despite later being cleared.
After Zilgai kills a police officer and commits suicide during a pursuit, Sam seems to renounce any terrorist intentions. However, Omar later uncovers that a plot is still underway and informs Roshan. In the climax, Sam surrenders but is fatally shot by FBI snipers; Maya also dies amid the crossfire.
Six months afterward, Omar takes responsibility for raising Danyal. Roshan offers him solace as they reflect on how timing and decisions shaped their destinies. The narrative highlights themes of friendship, trauma, and the lasting impact of 9/11.
Cast
- John Abraham portrays Samir "Sam" Sheikh
- Katrina Kaif plays Maya Sheikh
- Neil Nitin Mukesh appears as Omar Ajjaz
- Irrfan Khan acts as FBI Agent Roshan
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui features as Zilgai
- Aidan Wagner takes on the role of Danyal Sheikh
- Ali Quli Mirza is cast as Zaheer
- Samrat Chakrabarti plays Yakub
Themes
New York delves into the social and political consequences following the September 11 attacks, highlighting issues such as racial profiling, civil rights infringements, and the mental toll of unjust imprisonment. Director Kabir Khan characterizes the film as a nuanced exploration of post-9/11 biases, supported by the New York Film Commission's endorsement.
Actor John Abraham mentioned that New York serves as a complementary narrative to the Pakistani film Khuda Kay Liye (2007), with both works portraying the experiences of detainees from varied viewpoints. The movie’s thematic elements have also drawn parallels to the Lost episode "The Greater Good," due to their shared focus on detention and ideological struggles.
Development
Directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films, New York underwent script approval by U.S. authorities prior to shooting. The clearance was granted without any objections, with Khan emphasizing the film’s balanced depiction of post-9/11 challenges.
Casting
To embody his character, an American Muslim of Indian descent, John Abraham undertook a study of the Quran. The ensemble also featured Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh, and Irrfan Khan.
Filming
Principal photography commenced in September 2008 and spanned over 100 days. The majority of filming took place in New York City, with additional scenes shot in Philadelphia. This marked the first Hindi film to have an extended shooting schedule in New York City. Additionally, the crew secured official permission to shoot for three days at the Guantánamo Bay facility.
Soundtrack
Released on 10 June 2009, the soundtrack for New York was composed by Pritam, featuring lyrics penned by Sandeep Shrivastava. The background score was crafted by Julius Packiam, while Pankaj Awasthi composed and performed "Aye Saaye Mere," with lyrics by Junaid Wasi. A remix version of "Hai Junoon," presented as an independent music video, was performed by singers K.K. and Monali Thakur.
Festival screenings
New York premiered as the opening film at the 33rd Cairo International Film Festival on 10 November 2009, where director Kabir Khan was present to engage with attendees. It was also showcased at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2009, during which Yash Raj Films’ founder, Yash Chopra, received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year accolade.
Home media
The DVD edition of New York was made available on 8 August 2009, including approximately two and a half hours of additional material such as behind-the-scenes footage, deleted sequences, and promotional content. Joginder Tuteja from Bollywood Hungama awarded the DVD a rating of four out of five stars.
Box office performance
New York made an impressive debut in India, earning ₹35 million within its opening three days and achieving an occupancy rate between 80% and 85%, marking the highest since January 2009. It led the domestic box office during its first week and accumulated a global revenue of ₹618.9 million, ultimately being recognized as a commercial success. The film completed a six-week run in Indian theaters, amassing a domestic total of ₹155.5 million.
On the international front, New York saw strong results in major territories such as the Middle East, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It ranked as the sixth top-grossing Hindi film of 2009, with an overall collection near ₹577.5 million.
Critical appraisal
The film New York was widely praised for its acting performances, screenplay, and its nuanced approach to post-9/11 issues.
Critic Subhash K. Jha described it as "a significant film" that steers clear of clichés while thoughtfully addressing global biases. Devansh Patel from the Hounslow Chronicle awarded it a perfect score of five out of five, calling it "the most intellectually stimulating production by Yash Raj Films." Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India rated it four stars out of five, labeling it "a tightly woven and emotionally charged political drama—relevant, impactful, and engaging."
Taran Adarsh at Bollywood Hungama gave it four out of five stars, praising both the screenplay and cinematography as among the finest efforts from the production company. Joginder Tuteja highlighted how the film successfully delivers a compelling message while appealing commercially to both mass and niche audiences.
The movie drew comparisons with titles like Arlington Road (1999) and Khuda Kay Liye (2007), with Jayant from Hindustan Times considering New York superior in terms of execution and emotional impact. NDTV referred to it as “an A-list production that earns straight A’s,” while Sakaal Times commended its blend of realism and dramatic elements. According to The Statesman, the film “both entertains and provokes thoughtful reflection.”
Accolades
See also
Further reading
- Bansal, Robin. "Katrina: Being Myself in New York," Times of India, 21 June 2009.
- Jamkhandikar, Shilpa. "A Minute With John Abraham on 'New York'," Reuters, 20 June 2009.
- Jha, Subhash K. "The Story Behind Kabir Khan’s Marriage to Mini Mathur," Times of India, 6 July 2009.
- Khan, Kabir. "Identity Proof," Indian Express, 13 December 2009.
- Parab, Kanika. "Bollywood Reflects on 9–11," Huffington Post, 29 June 2009.
- Patel, Devansh. "Irrfan Khan on 'New York': America's Perspective Before and After 9/11," Bollywood Hungama, 18 June 2009.
- Press Trust of India. "Neil’s “Reality Check” in New York Prior to Filming," Deccan Herald, 20 June 2009.
- Syed, Aijaz Zaka. "Unveiling New York’s Untold Story," Khaleej Times, 29 July 2009.
- Zaman, Rana Siddiqui. "True Tales: Kabir Khan Discusses How “New York” Portrays the Overlooked Aspects of 9/11," The Hindu, 29 June 2009.
External links
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- Articles with short description
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