`New York` is about not wearing your religion on your sleeves: Kabir Khan

After venturing into Bollywood with the critically acclaimed and award winning `Kabul Express`, director Kabir Khan has now dared to take up the global issue of prejudice against Islam with his latest flick `New York`.Kabir Khan, in an interactive session with media, spoke to Ankita Shukla and Bhavna Khullar of Spicezee.com about the idea behind `New York`, sharing the experience of working with the invincible trio- John, Katrina and Neil. Q. What’s the real idea behind the story of ‘New York’? Is it being released now because of what’s going on in Australia? Kabir: See, it is a subject that concerns all. It shows the prejudice that exists everywhere. And the film had to be released a few months back around the time of 26/11. That time people said that it’s being released because it was symbolic with 26/11. I feel the subject of ‘New York’ is topical and will remain so. Australia is a case of prejudice like New York. So, this film will always be topical, because there’s prejudice all the time, everywhere. Q. Do you think a common man can really fight against the existing prejudice? Kabir:Of course, it’s only the common man who can do something about it. Post 9/11 and 26/11, there is an urgent need for us to take it up strongly, and even react in an irrational way if required. We should be taking up the larger issue of prejudice. We started it, so we have to address it. Q. In the promos of the film, there’s a message, which says ‘religion is one thing that’s common in all of us`. What is it exactly trying to convey? Kabir: Well, if I tell you that, the film’s story would be revealed, but I would say that in ‘New York’, I’ve tried to show that you don’t have to wear your religion on your sleeves. Q. Your ‘Kabul Express’ didn’t really work. So what made you confident enough to work on a similar kind of subject once again? Kabir: ‘Kabul Express’ did more than enough for me even if it didn’t do well. So I went on to make a much more dramatic and emotional canvas. And because none of us know what’s commercially viable, so we should do what really works for us. Also, ‘Kabul Express’ was out of my love for making documentaries. It was a kind of documentary, but ‘New York’ needs a larger than life narrative. So, it’s pitched at this scale. Q. But don’t you think ‘New York’ is on the lines of ‘Kabul Express’? Kabir: Well, I’ve always been interested in bringing global issues to cinema, with a social backdrop. I don’t like watching films with no social backdrop, which do not take a cue from real life. I want to put my characters in real life situation. Q. What was the most difficult scene to shoot during the making of the film? Kabir: See, logistically, to shoot John’s stunt, where he had to jump off a 40-floor skyscraper, it had to be done by a stuntman. But John insisted that if he does it, we’d be able to take a closer shot. So he did it after a day’s training. And that’s one of the most spectacular shots in the film. Q. What’s the USP of the film? Kabir: It’s difficult to pick one thing but it’s the whole holistic experience of it, which is interesting. Q. How did you manage working with John, Katrina and Neil together? Kabir: (Laughs) Well, I managed it with the help of a cane that I keep. It has been a pleasure indeed everything fell into place as none of these actors came with any personal baggage. Q. It’s been revealed that the song ‘Junoon’ has been lifted from an international music band’s composition. How far is the information true? Kabir: Yes, this was brought to our notice last week. We’re still trying to figure out the whole thing. But I truly do believe in originality, so we’ll see what can be done about it, because as an industry, we really need to take it up strongly.