Film Review: New York

'New York' revolves around three friends whose lives are deeply impacted by the fallout of 9/11. Samir aka Sam (John Abraham), Omar (Neil Nitin Mukesh) and Maya (Katrina Kaif), all students at New York State University, fully enjoy campus life. Omar, a first-time foreign student, fast befriends Sam and Maya to eventually develop a love for America, and adapt to the American lifestyle.
The film opens nearly 7 years after the tragic events of 9/11 with Omar being detained and interrogated by FBI agent Roshan (Irrfan Khan), who forcefully hires Omar as an undercover agent ordering him to infiltrate the life of his college friend Sam; who the FBI suspects to be a terrorist. Omar complies with Roshan’s orders under the condition that the FBI won’t kill Sam if he surrenders. When the friends reunite, Omar learns that Sam and Maya are happily married with a daughter. Once Omar enters Sam’s home, he has many failed attempts at unveiling his activist identity. Sam in turn narrates his dreadful past to Omar of how he was illegally held captive, tortured by the FBI for 9 months and brutally victimized for being a Muslim suspect of terrorism after 9/11. What truth Omar uncovers and where it takes their friendship forms the remainder of the film.

The Cast:

John Abraham as Samir AKA Sam - popularly known as the ‘star of the campus,’ is an athletic, handsome and intelligent student who is victimized for being a Muslim in New York.

Katrina Kaif as Maya - a high-spirited Indian girl born and raised in New York who brings joy to her campus. She is Sam’s love interest and acts as his biggest support through trying times.

Neil Nitin Mukesh as Omar - a middle-class Indian guy from Lajpat Nagar, Delhi who earns a scholarship to study at New York State University but is later trapped by the FBI as an undercover agent.

Irrfan Khan as Roshan - an FBI investigating agent whose pro-American attitude is what makes him work hard to protect the freedom rights of all Americans.

The Crew:

Director: Kabir Khan
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Production House: Yash Raj Studios
Distributor: Yash Raj Films
Music Label: Yash Raj Films (YRF Music)
Screenplay: Sandeep Srivastava
Story: Aditya Chopra
Cinematography: Aseem Mishra
Music Director: Pritam Chakraborty
Lyricist: Sandeep Srivastava, Junaid Wasi

The Soundtrack:

Pritam scores yet again with another refreshing soundtrack. ‘Hai Junoon’ is a sure fire hit that will stick with audiences forever. ‘Mere Sang’ and ‘Tune Jo Na Kaha’ also stand out but tend to grow on viewers gradually. The songs have been shot brilliantly – the remix of ‘Hai Junoon’ has been choreographed quite well by Ahmed Khan. Overall, the songs fit the film’s contemporary backdrop.

What Works:

Undoubtedly, the hero of the script is the screenplay. The film has an intriguing opening and has the power to fully grip the viewer through a series of events involving the FBI. The round up of the suspects strikes the viewer and is superbly executed. With such a sensitive subject, where one of the protagonists is labeled as a terrorist and the other struggling to prove that he isn’t, the film could have easily fallen through the cracks. However, Kabir Khan proves that he can tackle just about any genre to create enough drama, thrill, and emotional moments to keep audiences at the edge of their seats.
The climax scenes in the detention center gives off a chilling affect. Though disturbing, the scenes of John being tortured captures the true essence of the film.
The performances by John, Katrina and Neil definitely raise the bar of Indian cinema. Especially John, who is often termed as an expressionless actor, has worked every muscle on his face to get the act right and deliver his career’s best performance thus far. Katrina also proves her potential as an actress, and her simple, deglamorized avatar that she portrays truly let’s her acting abilities triumph.

What Doesn't:

While the film excels in many areas, it falters in the second half as the pace slows down and the story at times becomes predictable. There are also a few sequences which could have been edited to some extent. The film could also have done without the love triangle to truly stand out as an unconventional Bollywood film.

Slated or Rated:

Although Kabir Khan’s subject seems to be washed out, he definitely strikes a chord with audiences with his gripping thriller. Kabir has delivered an unconventional film but still manages to keep it commercially relevant. It is by far one of the finest production’s to come out of the Yash Raj camp and will definitely rule at the box office! If you feel like going for a roller coaster ride, go see New York!

Rating: 4/5

RATE:

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(4.2) 71

Magadheera Audio Release

Geetha Arts banner is bringing the magnum opus ‘Magadheera’ starring Ram Charan Teja-Kajal Agarwal under SS Rajamouli’s direction. Allu Aravind is the producer. This evening the audio release function was organized at Shilpa Kala Vedhika, Hyderabad.

The grand audio release function started off with super hits of Keeravani-Chiranjeevi combination, the first song being from the super hit film ‘Aapadbhandavudu’. The programme was followed by the dance programme by local dance troupe and a special performance by Siva Reddy. Anchor Suma hosted the show and was telecasted live in MAA TV channel.

Megastar Chiranjeevi, Raghavendra Rao, D Ramanaidu, Power Star Pawan Kalyan, Mega Power Star Ram Charan Teja, directors Rajamouli, Murugadoss, Sreenu Vytla, Naga Babu, Allu Aravind, Devi Varaprasad, Allu Arjun, Srikanth, Ravi Teja, VV Vinayak, Dil Raju, Surender Reddy, Bommarillu Bhaskar, Krish, Sunil, Aswini Dutt, Mehar Ramesh, P Venkateswara Rao, Keeravani, writer Chinni Krishna, lyricist Chandra Bose, heroine Kajal Agarwal, Srihari, Ali, Venu Madhav, Parachuri Venkateswara Rao, art director Ravi and others graced the grandeur.

The making the ‘Magadheera’ was shown through clippings. All the guests gave their opinions about the film before the release of audio album.

Naga Babu addressing the gathering said, “All the best to the entire team of ‘Magadheera’. My sole wish is that I request everybody to ask my brother Chiranjeevi to act in just one film.”

Chinni Krishna said, “Puri Jagannath kicked off Ram Charan Teja’s film career in a particular angle and Rajamouli fine tuned it in many dimensions giving a feel of Maniratnams and Shankars in Tollywood.”

Ravi Teja said, “Rajamouli is going to make yet another hattrick. Charan is superb…I’ve no words for him”.

Srikanth wished, “I wish Magadheera to become mega mega hit film.”

VV Vinayak, Murugadoss, Sreenu Vytla, Bommarillu Bhaskar and Surender Reddy appreciated SS Rajamouli and opined that they are longing to watch ‘Magadheera’ after watching its trailor.

Ali and Venu Madhav entertained the audience with their humourous conversation. Ali started the conversation as, “If my brother Chiranjeevi is ‘Magadheerudu’, his son Ram Charan Teja is ‘Magadheera’.

Mehar Ramesh said, “Ram Charan is a mix of Chiranjeevi gaaru and Pawan Kalyan. This film no doubt would stand for its high quality in Tollywood.”

Dil Raju said, “Hatsoff to Rajamouli for such a wonderful film. This is an extra-ordinary and mind blowing film. I will definitely come up with a good story and make a film with Ram Charan Teja soon. After Magadheerudu, Magadheera is definitely at par with it.”

Krish said, “I’ve seen a small episode of horse riding in the desert scene. It really a classic piece of work. No doubt this film is going to break all the box office records”.

Chandra Bose expressed his happiness for the opportunity to write lyrics for this film and he sang one of the songs which he wrote.

Sunil opined that Ram Charan Teja has out performed his father in dances. He gave a picture perfect performance in ‘Magadheera’.”

MM Keeravani said, “Ram Charan Teja has a great future. I feel very proud to see everyone praising my younger brother Rajamouli. Chiranjeevi gaaru gave life to the song ‘Bangaru Kodi Petta’ and the same is going to be continued through his film”.

Srihari said, “What I’ve been saying all along about this film, it is nice to hear from everyone the praises on the movie which I’ve been voicing for so many days. Infact this film can be considered equal to the 100 films of Allu Aravind. feel proud of every technician and artist who worked for this film.” He further added by comparing the film with Niagara Falls and said that it is a feast to eyes.

Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao requested Chiranjeevi to do one more film and said, “Chiranjeevi broke many records, similarly Charan too will break the box office records and become a top hero.”

“I’m extremely proud to be the part of this wonderful film. I think Charan is the most amazing co-star. I thank Rajamouli sir and Rama madam for giving me this opportunity”, said the gorgeous looking Kajal.

The audio cassettes were released by Megastar Chiranjeevi and were presented to Aswini Dutt, Ramanaidu and Raghavendra Rao. The audio CDs were released by Power Star Pawan Kalyan and were presented to Srihari, Ravi Teja, Allu Arjun and Srikanth. The audio albums are marketed by Aditya Music Company.

Rajamouli said, “All directors would like to direct a film with Chiranjeevi and I too got the opportunity to do a scene with him. Everyone is aware of Charan’s dances and fights after watching him in Chiruta. But in ‘Magadheera’ I brought out yet another capacity in him, that is perfect horse riding.”

Raghavendra Rao said, “After watching the trailor I felt that Ram Charan Teja will cross the titles Mega Star and Power Star. His performance was so amazing in the film. This movie is sure to become the block buster.”

Ram Charan Teja said, “I thank all the fans who gave their support to our family for so many years. The entire credit goes to Rajamouli who directed one such prestigious film and presented to the Telugu Film Industry. My father is my inspiration and my search light so with that inspiration I did the remix number ‘Bangaru Kodi Petta’. I do not know whether I did to the expectations of the audience. MM Keeravani did an amazing job. All the technicians put in their efforts for the film to make it big. I promise to do two films a year from next year onwards. I will work hard to entertain the audience through good films.”

Power Star Pawan Kalyan said, “I usually get scared to talk in these cinema functions but I would like to say a few words about this film, especially about horse riding. Charan knows the tactics to control horses right from his childhood. I feel proud of him for making his father proud. I wish the entire team to get a big success. Last but not the least, even if my brother is in politics I pray that he acts atleast in one movie to the satisfaction of his fans”.

Chiranjeevi started his speech in a political style and said, “This venue is filled with full of love and affection. You all are my people. I miss these vibrations for quite some time. Real love is in the film industry and not in politics. Politics is filled with full of selfishness whereas for the past 30 years I’ve been seeing the love and affection in the film industry. Everyone wanted me to do the film but can it be possible for me? Because I’ve not thought of the film even a single day after entering into politics because I was so busy in my schedules. Chirutha was titled after my name on sentimental grounds whereas even his second film incidentally happened to be related with my film’s title. Keeravani’s musical support for this film is a great asset. ‘Bangaru Kodi Petta’ song in Gharana Mogudu made me dance instantly. It was Prabhu Deva who choreographed that song in Gharana Mogudu. But Charan’s dance steps are mind blowing in the remix number as Sunil said. I liked the story which is unique with rebirth as a concept. Rajamouli is really a No. 1 director because he never thinks of anything else except cinema. Charan is lucky to get a director like him and a film like ‘Magadheera’. I really felt jealous of Charan when I saw him in horse riding scenes. I thank Srihari for his support to Charan in the movie. Ghajini’s profits helped to finance this film for Allu Aravind. With so many people’s support I left Charan in the film industry and entered into politics. I thank each and everyone who attended this function for coming and giving their support. If the circumstances happen in a positive way I may do a film but nothing is in my hands. I’m very confident that ‘Magadheera’ will be a super duper hit.” Speaking further he appreciated Kajal for her glamourous role and performance in the film.

The programme ended with a huge garland on Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan Teja together. Power Star Pawan Kalyan gave away the mementos to all the blood donors to Chiranjeevi Blood Bank.

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