In January, 2009 one of the film's crew members invited John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Kabir Khan and other crew members to his birthday party at a local nightclub in New York. While the crew members, who arrived in one car, were allowed into the nightclub, the actors, who had arrived in another car, were denied access by security who did not recognize them and who demanded identification. Neither they nor some crew members (who came from inside to help out) were able to convince security that they were important stars in India. By the time Abraham, Kaif, Khan, and Mukesh had returned with identification, the party had ended.
Karan Johar was originally suppose to direct this film with Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Sanjay Dutt in the main leads. The film was then titled Kaal. But Karan dropped this project to work on Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001). The title "Kaal" was eventually given to another film with a different storyline. Aditya Chopra knew about the script and decided to make "New York" years later. He did this thinking Karan was not going to make the film. Years later Rensil D'Souza decided to brush off Karan Johar's old script Kaal and make it as "Kurbaan". Karan Johar stepped in as the producer . It was when New York in production that Karan realized Aditya Chopra had taken the story of Kaal without getting his permission or consulting him. Kurbaan had already started and it was too late to stop the film. This created friction in the friendship of Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra.
According to director Kabir Khan, the film had the full support of the New York Film Commission, "as it is not an anti-something film. It is a very balanced story and not a jingoistic film."
The film released at a time when there was a strike due to a clash between multiplex owners and producers due to revenue sharing, It was the first release after a gap which benefitted the film and it did well.