(Indian) Gangs of New York

The theme is hackneyed now. We have not forgotten Khuda Ke Liye nor New York. The cast may not be the best in the world. But what is remarkable about Kurbaan is the Indian cast fitting in seamlessly into what is a pure Western milieu – the archetypal American suburb. And for a Hindi movie, the pace of the movie can also leave you breathless. Saif Ali Khan courts Avantika (Kareena Kapoor) on Delhi campus, trails her to the States. A series of revelations later, Avantika finds herself, along with eponymous righteous and recently bereaved (of colleague and fiancé Dia Mirza) Muslim journalist Ayaaz (Vivek Oberoi) find themselves in a race against time to prevent an attack on the subways of New York. The performances are fair (Saif Ali Khan) to excellent (Kiron Kher) and the disturbing undercurrents of life in the American suburbia are well-portrayed

13/20