The film was the first solo pairing of Saif and Kareena but it bombed badly just like their previous films together.
The film ran into trouble due to it's provocative poster of A Backless Kareena.
Karan Johar was originally supposed 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).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". It was when New York in production that Karan realized Aditya Chopra had taken the story 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.
The film was titled "Jihaad" at one point.
Vivek Oberoi replaced Irrfan Khan in the film.