Filmmaker Kabir Khan has revisited his memories of being in the US during the September 11 terror attacks, recalling how the tragedy transformed New York City and eventually influenced his 2009 film ‘New York’. On the eve of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Khan reflected on his enduring connection with the city and his firsthand experience of witnessing its grief and resilience in the aftermath of the attacks.Starring John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Katrina Kaif, New York followed three friends whose lives were dramatically altered by the events of 9/11 and the suspicion, prejudice and discrimination that followed.
Kabir Khan recalls witnessing New York after 9/11
Sharing a series of photographs of New York’s skyline on Instagram, Kabir Khan opened up about his personal connection with the city and the memories he carries from the period surrounding the attacks.“New York has been a part of my film journey for a long time. I was in the US when 9/11 happened and witnessed a city shaken by the unimaginable tragedy. Seven years later, I returned to shoot my second film, New York, a film shaped by the aftermath of that day and saw the city reclaim its spirit,” he wrote.Khan’s experience of witnessing the aftermath firsthand became an important influence on his second directorial venture. Released in 2009, New York examined the impact of 9/11 beyond the immediate tragedy, focusing on how fear and suspicion affected individuals and communities in the years that followed.
Kabir Khan returned to New York seven years after 9/11
The filmmaker returned to the city seven years after the attacks to shoot New York. Revisiting locations and streets he had encountered earlier gave Khan an opportunity to observe how the city had changed while retaining the energy that defines it.“This time, I walked those streets again,” he recalled.“The city remains restless, resilient and gloriously alive,” Khan added.
Kabir Khan’s ‘New York’ explored the aftermath of 9/11
Released in 2009, ‘New York’ was set against the backdrop of post-9/11 America and centred on the lives of three friends whose relationships were transformed by the events of September 11. The film explored themes of identity, belonging, discrimination and the rise of Islamophobia in the aftermath of the attacks. It also examined the consequences of treating an entire community with suspicion because of the actions of a few. Rather than focusing solely on the attacks themselves, ‘New York’ looked at their emotional and social consequences. The story used friendship and personal relationships to examine how political developments and collective fear could permanently alter individual lives.
Kabir Khan’s 9/11 post receives reactions from celebrities
Khan’s Instagram post also prompted reactions from several celebrities, some of whom shared their own memories of being in the US during the attacks. Actress Shenaz Treasury commented, “I was there during 9/11 too! We have to exchange stories,” while Kushal Tandon and Karishma Kohli were among those who reacted to the filmmaker’s post.
