LifeStyle

The story of this much awaited flick is about three friends, Omar, Maya and Sam, who together explores a whole new world in the city, which is generally defined as the center of the world. The city plays a larger than life backdrop to the contemporary story of friendship. Omar, played by Neil Nitin Mukesh, is an Indian boy from a middle class family from Delhi's Lajpat Nagar. He is a brilliant student who is awarded scholarship to come and study in New York State University. As he has gone abroad for the first time in life, he starts perceiving America through the point of view of his American buddies – Sam, played by John Abraham and Maya, played by Katrina Kaif. Samir or Sam, is athletic, handsome, bright and is the “star of the campus” of the New York State University. Maya, on the other hand is Sam's classmate. She is an Indian girl born and brought up in New York and jazz up the campus with her vibrant and bohemian attitude.

But one day, all of a sudden their lives takes a major twist. The massive events which takes place in world, often seems to be screaming headlines in the newspapers, but to the less of our knowledge it can affect our lives to a great extent and alas, maybe forever. This serves as the basic plot of New York – the three friends whose lives are turned upside down by the larger events and soon after they suffer from major hurdles in their lives which are not only unpredictable but also beyond their control. Enter, Agent Roshan, played by Irrfan Khan, an undercover FBI agent, who gives a scary and thrilling turn to the series of unpredictable events, which changes the lives of these three friends.

Irrfan Khan describes his role as an FBI agent who is trying to deal with the post 9/11 issue and do not make an attempt to solve it. He is not inclined to think what America has done but feels that America should feel guilty for what they have done and at the same time contemplates on the future of the nation. Is demolishing each other is the sole objective? He plays a balanced role between the Muslim community he comes from and the system he is working for, which gives him more ability to deal with a bigger problem.

John Abraham, on the other hand, learned the tenets of Quran, inspite of being from an entirely different community, to essay the role of an NRI Muslim in the film. He researched on Islam and its various aspects. His character in the movie is detained illegally for terrorism in the US for mistakes he hadn't committed. While Neil Nitin Mukesh got himself tanned to suit his character of an Indian lad.

Kabir Khan, the director, defends that the film does not have any political backdrop. Moreover the American crew felt strongly for the film and its depiction of the unbiased perspective. New York displays the prejudices of Americans on Muslims across the world. He describes the nation as hyperactive, aphrodisiac and a combination of heaven and hell. The nude scene of John Abraham, brings to light the real trauma faced by the illegal detainees, post 9/11. The scene is inspired by the actual personal account of the individuals who faced this horrendous act. In actuality the illegal detainees were stripped naked and their entire body was shaved to humiliate them.

Bearing in mind the realistic narrative, the songs are used in the backdrop. For a film like New York songs were must in order to keep up the dramatic and emotional level of story telling. “Hai Junoon”, which is been playing along with the theatrical promos, kick starts the album. This is a track about living life and those special moments one share with buddies. KK, who has sung the song has commendably modulated his voice to bring youthfulness to the song. The song also has a remix version. “Mere Sang”, another song, which has been sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and KK, has a subtle rock feel to it, garnished with Indian melody. This song too has a remix version to it.

Mohit Chauhan's “Tune Jo Kaha”, is a soft number which later turns out to be a sad track, describing about unhappy times. “Aye Saaye Mere”, is a guest track sung by Pankaj Awasthi. A sufi number which is in sync with the situation, takes the album to a different level. “Sam's theme” and “New York Theme” are the two more tracks, which are composed by Julius Packiam. The former track is hummed by Caralisa Monteiro, comprise a slow moving tune, while the latter track is primarily instrumental and doesn't feature any vocals. New York Theme is thrilling and captivating. All in all, an average album, but fails to make a lasting impression.