New Delhi, July 29 - Before 'Dil Chahta Hai' happened in 2001, romance and action thrillers were ruling the roost in Bollywood. But the film about three urban youngsters not only proved to be a huge hit, it also brought the theme of friendship back in vogue.

'New York' is the latest film successfully exploring bonding among friends. It comes after last year's three big hits - 'Dostana', 'Rock On!' and 'Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na' - which also revolved around changing equations among pals.

Filmmaker Kabir Khan, who gave this year's first big hit 'New York', said:

'Friendship is an interesting human bond and this as a theme lends scope to have many interesting situations and stories. It is a very interesting relationship to explore.

'When you have the theme of marriage, then you might get stuck somewhere but with the subject of friends, the opportunities are immense and many interesting stories and angles can be given to the film,' he told IANS.

'However, what is of prime importance is that the film is made well. If the film is not made well then no theme can work, whether friendship or something else,' he added.

Starring John Abraham, Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh, 'New York' narrated the story of three friends.

But Bollywood has experimented with the theme earlier in melodramatic movies like 'Dosti' (1964), a sentimental drama on the friendship between two people - one blind and the other crippled - and 'Sangam' (1964), where two friends - Raj Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar - fall in love with the same girl (Vyjayanthimala).

Action-oriented films like 'Sholay', 'Dostana' and 'Yaarana' too had friendship as an integral part of the storyline.

It was young filmmaker Farhan Akhtar who gave male-bonding a new definition with his superhit 'Dil Chahta Hai', which starred Aamir Khan, Akshaye Khanna and Saif Ali Khan. Their performances as chilled out urban youth struck the right chord with the multiplex audience.