The plight of Muslims in the US in the aftermath of 9/11 gets the Bollywood

treatment in New York out this week, writes Badri Ahmed.

With heartthrob John Abraham doing a nude scene, the film is much anticipated

– but there is more to his role than meets the eye.

John is said to have put his heart into the performance of a student who

becomes victimised following the atrocity.

He, and his friends, played by Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh find their

lives turned upside down when attitudes to them change.

The actor researched aspects of being a Muslim for the film, which is based

on reports on what befell some innocent US Muslims following the terrorist

attacks.

Describing it as his most challenging role to date, it represents a marked

change from his previous outing in gay comedy Dostana.

Kabir Khan directs New York after Kabul Express which also featured John,

though that film failed at the box-office despite being praised by critics.

Katrina Kaif, who has scored a number of Bollywood hits, including the

massive Singh is King, plays the western educated girl – a role that should come

naturally to her, given her British roots.

There are three smaller films releasing in India, all featuring Anupam Kher.

It’s a Mismatch takes a comic look at the consequences of a couple falling

for each other while their families are bitterly opposed to their

union.

Sankat City looks at life in the underbelly of a metropolis where the lives

of several characters clash and intertwine.

Finally, Morning Walk, which also stars Sharmila Tagore, is about a couple

reuniting decades after they first met.

aftermath: New York deals with the

plight of US Muslims post-9/11