‘The film is not about 9/11’

Director Kabir Khan insists that New York is a tale of friendship, reports Princy Jain.

Bollywood is back to dostana. Once again, there’s a story of three friends, and one of them is John Abraham. And once again, he has dropped his pants. But unlike Karan Johar’s rose-tinted Dostana, New York is a serious flick with a grave issue at its centre — the story of three friends before and after the 9/11 terror attacks.

HT Image

“This is not a 9/11 film,” says director Kabir Khan. “I’d really like to make this clear. The film is based on three friends.”

Unlike most of the films made in Bollywood, New York has a backdrop and some story to it. It’s not based in void,” he adds.

Vouching for a power-packed performance by his cast, Kabir says, “Each character is very distinct from the other. It is their journey, hence it is imperative for the viewers to get attached to them, so that they can feel their emotions when they go through hardships,” he says.

The film has been making news for John’s nude scene. “It is the reality. This is very different from John’s yellow trunks in Dostana. It is something many people had gone through when they were being interrogated by the FBI.” Ask him if nudity is such a big fuss and he says, “It is not, provided there is a reason for it in the scene.”

Talking about the other actors in the movie, Kabir mentions how Katrina, with her powerful performance, managed to surprise him. “She has given many blockbusters. Of all the films she has done so far, this could be the most defining role... I was hugely surprised by her potential and performance.” New York is slated for a June 26 release.