'New York' Review: It's Good

This is a film that’s made with the backdrop of 9/11 attacks. Although it’s too late to watch something on those lines, Kabir Khan made an exhaustive attempt in making it enticing.

Story:
The story revolves around three youngsters Sameer (John), Maya (Katrina) and Omar (Neil) in USA. Initially Omar falls in deep love with Maya but shortly knows that she is already in love with Sameer.

And silently Omar moves away from her love. He returns after seven years of hibernation. He is arrested by FBI on false allegations and compels him to aid them to smoke out the suspected culprit Sameer who is alleged to be the head of a sleeper cell that plans to attack USA.

Omar helps the FBI as per their force. But is Sameer the real culprit? And is Omar really on his way to prove Sameer is the real criminal? That has to be watched on screen.

Performances:
Hero-John:
He is up to the mark and aptly grooved in the shoes of the character. He has delivered what has to be. But his role is little smaller when compared to that of Neil. John’s performance in jail episode is interesting.

Hero-Neil:
He has got bigger scope to perform than John. His presence is felt in bigger way with this film after ‘Johnny Gaddar’.

Heroine-Katrina:
She is at her best. She scores well both for performance and aptly suited for the role.

Others
Irfan Khan repeats a routine cop role like in many of his earlier films. He is up to the mark and did what has to be done.

Technical Departments:
Commercial values of the film are outstanding. Although Kabir Khan is known to be a small film maker, his commercial extravaganza is seen in this flick. Cinematography is marvelous as it has canned many interesting locales of New York. Screenplay and Editing also falls on right track.

Music and Lyrics:
Music is not that catchy but ‘Mere Sang’…’ is the song that touches the hearts. Homework would have done better in music department for this range of movie.

Highlights:
Cinematography
Thrilling part

Disappointment:
Late arrival-It’s almost years after the ghastly 9/11 incident. Hence people find it difficult to connect to it instantly.

Analysis:
First half of the film moves in a soft manner while the second half catches up the momentum.

The film has many memorable scenes and the scene when Omar sees Maya after seven years is wonderful. On the flip side, the film has some loose ends where the Sameer’s part in second half passes of abruptly in hasty manner. Barring those minimal exceptions, the film leaves a memorable mark on the viewers. It has got the muscle to appeal for the audiences of all classes, be they from multiplex or rural.

Bottom Line: Watch It

Kamal Hassan kick-starts screenplay workshop

Kamal Hassan's ambitious workshop on screenplay writing kicked off in style at the IIT auditorium in Chennai, on May 28.

The workshop is being organised by the actor's Raajkamal Films International in association with IIT Madras.

There were 1,500 applications for the basic course in screen writing, out of which 250 were selected. The criteria for selection-those who were closest to making their film were chosen.

"I have never seen such a huge turnout of the media, which clearly illustrates the hold and power of the stars and cinema," said Idichandy, director in charge of IIT Madras."If we had organised a press conference of a Nobel Laureate, we would not have such a response."

The workshop is dedicated to Kamal Hassan's mentor and close friend Ananthu, and Idichandy unveiled an image of his. The inaugural session was attended by renowned names in Indian screen writing like Anjum Rajabali, Atul Tiwari, and K Hariharan.

"Screen writing is a sort of tight rope walking. I had great teachers like KB, Balu Mahendra and even younger people like Mani Ratnam teaching me the nuances of screen writing," said Kamal.

Kamal said he hoped to produce at least one film from the 250 screenplays written, but he also had the right of refusal.

Shah Rukh Khan not acting in Dhoom 3

The grapevine has been abuzz with news that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will play the villain in Yash Raj Films' (YRF) action-adventure series “Dhoom 3” but a source from the production company has denied any such development.

"This story is completely untrue and baseless. We have no idea where this rubbish originated but like all wildfires has spread rapidly,” Rafiq Gangjee, vice president (marketing and communications) of YRF, told IANS over e-mail from Mumbai.

The rumours that Shah Rukh would soon follow in the footsteps of Hrithik Roshan by playing a villain opposite actor Abhishek Bachchan in the “Dhoom” series began when British news website femalefirst.co.uk first reported it.

According to the article which was published May 26, a source was quoted as saying: "Shah Rukh had been approached by the banner to play the main villain in the most successful franchise of Bollywood - the 'Dhoom' series - and he has immediately given the nod. Last few days there has been a lot of buzz that Saif Ali Khan has signed the dotted line for the same role but it seems they were just plain rumours.”

However, as per Gangjee, there is no truth in any part of the report.

India asks Australia to ensure security of its nationals

In the wake of attacks on its students, a concerned India today asked Australia to ensure safety of its nationals there and got an assurance that such incidents will not be allowed to recur.
The Ministry of External Affairs also summoned Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy to register its concern over a series of attacks on Indian students in that country.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna conveyed India's concerns to Australia when he received a phone call from his counterpart Stephen Smith who assured him that his government is taking steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

During the 10-minute conversation, Krishna asked Smith to see that security of Indian nationals in that country is ensured. He also pressed for strong action against those involved in the attacks on Indian students over the last few days.

Later, Krishna said he had told Smith to ensure that "the security of Indian students is adequately taken care of".

Smith "assured that no such incident will take place", the External Affairs Minister said.

"We are worried about the safety of Indian citizens, particularly the students," Krishna told reporters.

He said the Indian government is in constant touch with Australian authorities "with a view to addressing issues concerning the well-being and physical safety of our students." PTI