New York (2009)

The Plot

How Muslims living in the US are driven to take up terrorism due to the torture that the Americans inflict upon them post 9/11 is the movie’s theme. It is told in the backdrop of 3 friends (Sam, Maya and Omar) and their college life. Sam and Maya are lovers and they also marry each other. Omar is used by the FBI to infiltrate Sam’s suspected sleeper cell. Omar goes back to his friend Sam’s house after many yrs and slowly starts to know about Sam’s real existence.

Yes. Sam is indeed planning some major attacks on the FBI and Omar wants to stop this as an undercover FBI agent and as a friend to Sam, and ensure that Sam is not killed. He also gets a guarantee from the FBI officer Roshan to this effect. But, things turn haywire and it is needless bloodshed for the husband-wife due to the hyperactive nature of the Americans in the FBI. Omar takes over as the guardian of Danyal, Maya and Sam’s little son, in the end.

                                                                        

Hits

• Yash Raj's production values are top notch. It looks like a Hollywood product. The cinematography is the main reason for this richness. 
• Katrina Kaif has acted very well for the first time in her career. As the understanding lover, wife and mother, she is top notch. She looks a million bucks as always. An elegant goddess
• Despite the robotic voice modulation, John Abraham scores in the emoting area. Neil Nitin Mukesh also impresses with his earnest show of desperation and frustration. His voice is cute. 
• Irfan Khan looks and plays the part of the Indian FBI officer to perfection. His sarcasm at the friendship between the 3, is enjoyable. The man who comes as Zilgai, the tortured Muslim portrays all the angst and embarrassment through his eyes. Great talent. 
• The torture scenes are very hard hitting. 
• The songs are all melodious and peppy at the same time. Credit to Pritam for that 
• The messages given in the end credits about the detention of foreign nationals in the US post 9/11 makes a lot of impact.

Misses

• The climax though beautifully shot on a grand scale, is very melodramatic. A played down climax would have worked much better.

VERDICT

One of the better 'serious' Hindi movies. Kudos to the director Kabir Khan for taking a heavy subject in his very first film. 

Life in a Metro (2007)

What's it about:

           Set in Mumbai, the film deals with the lives of people who are stuck in matters of love, family and relationships.

       Amol and Shivani are an elder couple who re-unite after 40 yrs to spend their twilights together. Rahul is an ambitious young man who goes to the extent of lending his flat to his office seniors so that he can get some money through promotion, for his dream restaurant.  Shikha has a troubled family life and she finds solace in a struggling theater actor. Shikha’s husband has an affair going on with Rahul’s one side love Neha. Neha’s roommate and Shikha’s sister, Shruti is looking for her ideal man and she finally finds her match in Monty, a naïve good-at-heart man.

    All the characters are connected in one way or the other and the film is basically a relationship drama. 

                                                                             

Hits

• Some natural acting from all the actors. The film has a huge ensemble cast.
• Irfan Khan leads the pack with his innocent portrayal of Monty.
• Shilpa Shetty impresses with her acting skills as well, for a change and she looks absolutely smoking hot in that one moment of closeness she has with her lover. 
• The songs are all melodious

Misses

• The climax is in total contrast with the realistic nature of the film. It is quite funny and dramatic and sticks out sorely
• The gang of 3 performers who come in each song, becomes repetitive

VERDICT

A serious, watchable relationship movie.