New York

Post Kabul Express my hopes were riding on Kabir Khan on his take of 9/11 in "New York". For Indian audience I guess "New York" just provides a tip of the ice-berg of what 9/11 brought the change in the International level. On international level, the issue is further deep- rooted which Kabir Khan failed to touch base upon thereby giving a "rookie" feel to the entire proceedings. It appears as if Kabir Khan was confused if the subject he wanted to address was 9/11 or a triangular college romance.

"One-event changes entire life", c'mon - its so 1970's Bollywood "badla" tried-tested-sour theme. Natural progression and inching towards the other side of the line would have been much convincing.

Niel Mukesh:: Gave his best performance. Looked convincing as a student. The silent love-track wasn't warranted, or perhaps its YRF influence (read that "force-fit"). I was laughing aloud when he walks out heart- broken when the 9/11 is shown on telly (as my friend quipped, perhaps his very own twin towers were grazed!).

John Abraham:: As mentioned earlier, the character is not developed properly. And his personality looks way ahead of a student. Had immense scope to exhibit his talent - however a mediocre performance fails to rise above the expectations.

Katrina:: The silent-spectator character whose only purpose seems to be an eye-candy on the screen and maybe when revelation that she knows it all. Otherwise an unwanted character in the plot.

Irfan Khan:: Again, his character and lines are Bollywoodish ie. half- baked.

And for those who have an appetite for a surreal story dealing with similar subject - give "The Hamburg Cell" and "Britz" a go and it will come to realise what depth actually means.