Bollywood has indeed provided two good movies this Friday though after a long hiatus of either no good movies at all or the mediocre ones. 'New York, produced by the Yash Raj banner is fantastic. This is a contemporary story of friendship set against the larger than life backdrop of a city often described as the center of the world. Incidentally, events happening in one part do affect the lives of others living in the rest of the globe. In this movie, Omar played by Neil Nitin Mukesh goes abroad on a scholarship.
This is for the first time in his life and soon enough he begins to see and love America through the eyes of his American friends - Sam played by John Abraham and Maya played by Katrina Kaif. These three friends discover a new world together. But one day the world around them changes following 9/11. So, their lives turn topsy-turvy. Later, they separate and Omar moves to Philadelphia. At this point enters Agent Roshan played by Irrfan, an FBI undercover agent. Irfaan, who is tracking Sam for suspected terrorist links following 9/11, infiltrates Omar into Sam`s alleged group! This leads to a series of tumultuous events happening in their lives.
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However, looking at the chemistry between these two male stars - John Abraham and Neil Nitin Mukesh - we are reminded of 'Dostana' that starred John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra. While Priyanka's sexy bikini act as also John and Abhishek's pairing as a gay couple attracted the masses in 'Dostana', in 'New York' Johnny has a more handsome Neil Nitin Mukesh with him and of course Bollywood's Barbie doll Katrina Kaif .
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'New York' is a nice mix of a love triangle as well as of campus life. Significantly, the movie has humor too. Kabir Khan who earlier directed 'Kabul Express' starring John Abraham, tries balancing grim reality about terror suspects wrongly detained with Bollywood sensibilities. That's why a Muslim FBI agent in 'New York' proves his integrity by going after the terrorist belonging to the same faith! The movie belongs to two actors - Neil Nitin Mukesh and Katrina Kaif, in particular.
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Neil Nitin Mukesh looks too handsome to be believed that he isn't a white man. He plays fantastic as a middle class Indian boy from Delhi's Lajpat Nagar and also a bright student who gets a scholarship to come and study at the New York State University. Similarly, Katrina Kaif not only looks too pretty but leaves no stone unturned in proving that she is her real character. She plays Maya, an Indian girl born and brought up in New York and as Sam's classmate. She fills the campus with her cheer and fun-loving bohemian attitude. John Abraham is his usual self by performing the hardest role the easiest way. He plays Sam as all his university mates call him, and is the 'star of the campus'. Athletic, good looking and bright he is one of the most popular boys in NYSU
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Irrfan Khan plays his part well too. He tracks Sam for terrorist links and also infiltrates Omar into the former's group! He plays Roshan an FBI undercover agent of South Asian descent who is ready to go to any length to protect the freedom that he believes everybody in America enjoys. The music department under Pritam's guardianship has provided at least few music scores that are hummed by the audience inside and outside the cinema hall. Critics on this count have acclaimed the album of 'New York'.
As a whole, the movie is worth watch and 'paisa wasool' at a time when one wants to keep oneself completely cool in this unusually soaring temperature with no relief in sight following the adverse weather prediction for few more days to come.
