New York Katrina's best ever role: Kabir Khan

Kabir Khan is a confident man. Just a fortnight away from the release of his second film New York he feels audiences are sure to be touched by this John-Neil-Katrina starer.

Question: The promos have been on for a very long time. Don't you fear any viewer fatigue?

Kabir Khan: Not all the promos. It's just the theatrical trailer that was premiered during Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. It's a Yash Raj tradition. But yes even that video has now been playing in cinemas for six months. The film was ready in March and we were scheduled for a May 01 release. But then the strike happened and so the gap. But I don't think there's been viewer fatigue. In fact I am afraid we may not have promoted it enough. There isn't much time left for the release and I just hope people remember the theatrical promo and carry on the fantastic response it has received so far.

Question: First Kabul Express and now New York. What's it with you and stories about 9/11 and global politics?

Kabir Khan: Fascination with global politics…Yes you are right. Maybe it has to do with my news background. But the 9/11 connection is just a co-incidence. Both films are extremely different. Kabul Express was very personal. New York is far more mainstream and lavish, meant to reach out to a wider audience. In New York I first drafted out a story of three friends and then set 9/11 as a backdrop. Of course when you show WTC in the promos, people tend to identify it as a 9/11 film. But there's much more to it than that. People are free to pick on that aspect of the plot or just view it as an emotional story about friendship.

Question: Was it a conscious attempt to take a more mainstream approach in New York given the limited success of Kabul Express?

Kabir Khan: No, I am just trying to adopt a style true to the film. Kabul Express was always a small film. And it got noticed in the international circles. It's only here that we like categorise such films as arty. New York needed a larger canvas and higher emotional pitch. But essentially my approach is still very real .The characters and setting are all true to life. So despite being different films there is a commonality. I haven't compromised on my research.

Question: How did you choose John, Neil and Katrina as your international students?

Kabir Khan: They all suited the personality and physicality I needed for my characters. Once we finalised the script we looked at the options. For John's character I needed a stylish larger than life persona. There was also the Kabul Express comfort level. In Neil's case I liked his first film and he had the vulnerability which was key to his character. With Katrina initially it was of course her persona and look. But she has worked so brilliantly in the film. I think it's going to be a career defining performance. You've not seen her like this before. I don't want to say much because every director praises his actors before release. But I think all three will be surprise packages.

Question: You have managed to make very un-Yash Raj like films. What's your equation with the banner and how do you convince Aditya Chopra to back something that's not an NRI romance?

Kabir Khan: I think it's a wrong perception that Yash Raj is stuck with a brand of filmmaking. Sometime back they did follow a certain pattern but today all Yash Raj directors have their own style. As a producer Aditya Chopra is the best you can have. He trusts his filmmakers and doesn't impose his own sensibilities. He knows if you try to make your film in another person's style you won't do it well.

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Question: There are reports suggesting this film is similar to Arlington Road, Khuda Ke Liye and Karan Johar's Kurbaan. So what's the real story and is it actually a copy?

Kabir Khan: I'll take them one by one. I was in New York when this story broke out. From my side I can only say that New York is releasing in 15 days so check it out for yourself. I don't know what Karan's film is about. But I didn't like Arlington Road so there is no way I am going to copy that film. Khuda Ke Liye, yes there are similarities. I'll tell you why. Both films deal with illegal detention. So obviously, both filmmakers have researched on similar material. The truth is that, those detainees were stripped of their clothes and kept in dog boxes. But that's where the similarity begins and ends. Is there any other film you know of?

Question: You are the director, tell me…

Kabir Khan: I have heard of an American film called The Rendition. That's again on illegal detention. See the reason is that these weren't random tortures. It was a scientific process with a particular pattern to it. It's like every film made on Nazi camps will have a similar look and structure. But the stories are completely different.

Question: Is it upsetting that John's nude shot has been trivialised into something glamorous?

Kabir Khan: It's not upsetting. I know that when someone like John strips it makes news. But I just wish people see the film and put it in the right context. In the film it's a very humiliating moment for the character. So I am sure people will differentiate between this shot and his Dostana shorts.

Question: Directors generally make three films for Yash Raj. Do you know what you are doing next and will it be again on politics?

Kabir Khan: The advantage of the strike is that I got time to figure out what I want to do next. It's at a very raw stage. I know the rough structure but it will be something in my style. I like to follow a certain way.

Question: Finally, the reel life Kabir Khan (of Chak De India) was very lucky for Yash Raj. Will the real life one also be as lucky?

Kabir Khan: I hope so. Even if I can achieve half of that I will be delighted.

Question: But is there some mysterious connection between the two?

Kabir Khan: It's no mystery. The truth is that Jaideep Sahani is a very good friend since my Delhi days. So when he was writing the film he wanted a Muslim name that sounded cosmopolitan and he liked mine. It's very natural…Even I keep drawing from names and places I know of while writing my films. Though I am yet to receive any royalty for the success of Chak De...