NEW YORK, directed by Kabir Khan, efforts to be as real as possible.

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.

NEW YORK is a success for Kabir Khan, who deserves distinction marks for handling the subject with extraordinary maturity. Also, this movie should be a turning point for John, Katrina and Neil. More on that later...

One of the reasons why NEW YORK works is because not once does Kabir Khan borrow from the past or tilt towards expected stuff. You just can't guess what and where the story is headed and what the conclusion would be. The director and his team of writers establish the plot and characters beautifully, but the real action is reserved for the second half. The frightening experience that John undergoes is disturbing, but lifts the movie several notches up.

But NEW YORK has its share of loose ends. The film dips in the second hour. It tends to gets lengthy before it reaches a powerful, brilliantly executed climax. Also, a few sequences only add to the length of the movie, which could've been shortened in the writing stage itself.

Director Kabir Khan picks up a real incident -- innocent civilians being suspected as terrorists, soon after 9/11 -- and weaves a brilliant tale around it. The screenplay is its biggest star, without a doubt. Given the fact that NEW YORK isn't one of those routine masala fares, Kabir has injected songs only when required. Cinematography is outstanding.

Now here's another surprise. John, Katrina and Neil, all actors, deliver their career-best performance. If the first half belongs to Neil, John takes over the second hour totally. John is excellent when he recalls the past. You can feel his pain, that effective is his performance. Also, note his expressions towards the end. This is a different John, for sure. Just one word for his performance -- marvelous!

Neil was remarkable in JOHNNY GADDAAR, but dissatisfied in AA DEKHEN ZARA. luckily, he's in top form this time around. Katrina gives you the biggest surprise. Known for her glamour roles, Katrina proves that she can deliver if the director and writer offer her a role of substance. She's excellent. In fact, people will see a new, different Katrina this time. Irrfan is, as always, first-rate.

On the sum, NEW YORK is amongst the finest movies produced by Yash Raj. At the box office, there's no stopping this one. Go for it now!