Throwback to the terror: Bollywood films that are based on 9/11

Collage of films based on terror attack

The horrific events of 9/11 have inspired a clutch of filmmakers to document the US the way it looked in the wake of the terror attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The tragedy, till date, remains a wound of massive proportions in the collective memory of humanity and is also one of the most sinister and cold-blooded acts of terrorism the world has seen. Using it as a backdrop, Bollywood has explored various facets of that fateful day.

Shah Rukh Khan in a still from 'My Name Is Khan' (2010) which had the 9/11 attacks as its backdrop

Fourteen years hence, hitlist recalls some cinematic portraits of the events that took place on and after September 11, 2001...

'Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota - What If' (2006)

This was Bollywood's first attempt at depicting the 9/11 tragedy. Directed by Naseeruddin Shah, the film had a stellar cast in the form of Konkana Sen Sharma, Irrfan, Jimmy Shergill, and Boman Irani among others. It revolved around a group of people from various parts of India travelling to the States when their plane gets hijacked and crashes into the Twin Towers. Although an ambitious attempt and packed with potential, the film didn't quite go the distance.

'Kurbaan' (2009)

The movie dealt with the life of a woman married into a Muslim family involved in terrorist attacks and the ordeal she goes through thereafter. The movie, though compelling, met with mixed reviews. Besides, by the time it released, several hard-hitting films on similar lines had already been made, which watered down its impact.

'New York' (2009)

It was a story of three friends, portrayed by John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, and Neil Nitin Mukesh, and their changing equation post the attacks, courtesy the stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslims. The film was well received both critically and commercially and was the sixth highest grossing film of 2009.

'My Name Is Khan' (2010)

Karan Johar's film on an autistic man caught up in a personal tragedy following the 9/11 attacks and subsequent alienation of Muslims was a sensitive portrayal of what it must have been like to be a Muslim living in the States at that point. While the movie veered towards melodrama towards the second half, it did leave everyone feeling warm.

'I am Singh' (2011)

The Puneet Singh film explored the life of Sikh immigrants in the US post the 9/11 attacks. The movie brings to light the fight of the Sikh residents against prejudice and their unfaltering faith in the judiciary. Contrary to what one would expect out of such a sensitive issue, the movie failed to evoke any emotion from the viewers.