/> New York is emerging into a huge success and the man who is most surprised is director Kabir Khan himself. He admits that he was confident of the product and knew that it would click with the audiences.

Still, he had never imagined that the film will strike a chord amongst the audiences in such a way that it would take a thunderous opening from North to South and East to West.

"I always believed that New York will be a word of mouth film which would open on a decent note and then show an increase in business with every passing day.

When I was told by friends and people from industry that it had opened to a houseful response in the very first show at so many places across the country, even I was taken aback", says Kabir Khan who is obviously elated with the way his John Abraham- Katrina Kaif-Neil Nitin Mukesh- Irrfan Khan film is faring all over.

He is glad that the myth is finally broken around the commercial prospects of a film which deals with an 'issue'. "I am particularly glad that our audiences have matured enough to accept a subject like New York", he reflects, "Yes, it was set in a commercial mode but at the end of it all, we were dealing with a serious issue here.

Films like these have been made in the past as well but there always has been a budget restriction for them. Filmmakers are told to make get their projects made on shoe string budgets."

In this aspect, there was no stopping from Yash Raj Films when it came to the budget of the film. "True and the result is there for all to see because a product that boasts of quality is now doing so well commercially as well. It's as simple as that; audiences get a hint of something good coming their way and they are more than happy to lap it up all", comments Kabir.

Rattling down the collections that have been pouring in from all over, Kabir Khan informs that in Middle East in particular the film has created a mini storm.

"In a way the film has made a certain 'connection' with the audience there", tells Kabir, "It is just so huge there. In US and UK as well the film has been doing so well while in Australia, it has done even better than John's last success Dostana.

As for India, I have been told that weekdays have held up well as well after a very good opening weekend. Fingers crossed."

He narrates an interesting incident that took place on Friday at Chandan, a popular single screen theatre in Mumbai, which is widely considered as a barometer for a film's success.

"One of my ADs went to Chandan on Friday and he immediately put me on line from the theatre. Audiences were quite emotionally charged there and it was such a surreal feeling to hear them cheering for the film.

I immediately rushed to the theatre and by that time tickets were already being sold for the next show in black for as much as Rs.300. Now that's a big amount for a single screen theatre.

There was this young man who was selling tickets in black and happened to recognize me. He congratulated me on the film's success and told me to keep making such films so that he remains in business.

Of course, I have to keep this guy in mind when I make my next film too", concludes Kabir as he hangs up to get on line for another call, presumably bringing in some more good news.