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.
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. Actress Shenaz Treasury commented, “I was there during 9/11 too! Because of the actions of a few, it also examined the consequences of treating an entire community with suspicion.
The film explored themes of identity, belonging, discrimination and the rise of Islamophobia in the aftermath of the attacks. 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. 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. We have to exchange stories,” while Kushal Tandon and Karishma Kohli were among those who reacted to the filmmaker’s post.
I was in the US when 9/11 happened and witnessed a city shaken by the unimaginable tragedy. “New York has been a part of my film journey for a long time. 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.
Earlier reporting noted: Kabir Khan recalls being in New York during 9/11 terror attack, says city was ‘shaken by the unimaginable tragedy’ Filmmaker Kabir Khan reflected on his long association with New York City , recalling the impact the September 11 terror attacks had on it. I was in the US when 9/11 happened and witnessed a city shaken by the unimaginable tragedy,” he wrote. Earlier reporting noted: The filmmaker added that he returned to the city seven years later to film New York, his second directorial, which dealt with the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the wave of Islamophobia that came after it.
The filmmaker returned to the city seven years after the attacks to shoot New York. The filmmaker also spoke about what it felt like being in NYC during the attacks. Kabir Khan recalled being in the US when the attacks took place and witnessing New York grapple with the unimaginable tragedy. “New York has been a part of my film journey for a long time. “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. This time, I walked those streets again with just my new Leica SL3P, revisiting corners where I had once shot scenes. The city remains restless, resilient and gloriously alive,” the filmmaker added.
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. Earlier reporting noted: On the 25th anniversary of the attacks, the filmmaker shared a series of photographs that he clicked around the city.