-->SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE(Dir. Danny Boyle, 2008)
The buzz has been a-blazing big on this film
Right now it is topping many Critics’ Award lists for 2008, getting multiple Golden Globe nominations, and gaining massive word of mouth as it gets a wider release. What’s more impressive is that this film deserves every accolade and award and then some. It is a “feel good” movie in the least cynical use of that well worn publicity phrase with its inventive story-telling and rich palette of visual splendor, simply amazing considering its squalor-filled settings.
So how can depictions such as poverty, child abuse, and even the sight of somebody drenched in feces be in a film that adds up to an overwhelmingly happy and heart-warming experience? I dunno, but this film pulled it off magnificently - echoing the power and grandeur of CITY OF GOD crossed with the clever charm of Boyle’s own MILLIONS, and it’s done with wit and grit to spare.
Our hero is 18 year old Jamal (Dev Patel along with Tanay Cheda and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar as Jamal at younger intervals) who is being interrogated by police, USUAL SUSPECTS-style, about his suspiciously improbable winnings from appearing on the Hindi version of the modern classic quiz game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
His answers involve engaging and sometimes disturbing flashback sequences that are handled deftly and definitely more fluidly than in many other recent broken narratives.
-->From an early age, Jamal made a couple of connections that would deeply affect his current predicament – his love for Latika (Freida Pinto with Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar, and Rubiana Ali as younger incarnations) and his stormy clashes with fellow slum kid Salim (Madhur Mittal, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail – whew!) All of these talents, tested (especially Anil Kapoor as the unctuous game show host) and untested are up to the task at hand here.
A end credits dance sequence (that can’t possibly be a Spoiler!, can it?) is the only thing Bollywood about this Indian movie made by Brits but that works as well and as entertainingly as everything else here. Despite a fair amount of subtitled dialogue (which is pretty stylized as it goes for subtitles) 80-90% of it is spoken in English and it’s instantly accessible so it’s sure to pick up even more acclaim and box office in the weeks to come.
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is one of the best movies of the year for sure and will endure to be much more than a winner this awards season – I feel that for years to come it’s going to be a favorite of the same folks who can love AMELIE and an edgier work like GOODFELLAS equally. It has plenty of pure stultifying competition (got MILK?) out there in what’s shaping up to be a precedent setting prestige motion picture season, but from what I’ve seen so far this has the “fun factor” on its side in spades.
More later...
"It is a “feel good” movie in the least cynical use of that well worn publicity phrase...."
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly some interesting prose, because you make it sound as if feel good movies have gone out of style and I would contend that they have.
We don't have a modern-day Frank Capra anymore, and I think that's somewhat of a necessity in these dark economic times.
This is a strong anti india movie, govt should have banned it in india. gone where the days when US film makers project india as a poor land of beggars and snake charmers. we project US as a high raise buildings with only rich people all over.
ReplyDeleteAlso talent in india needs to be reconized and not for cheap leave that the work is offshored.
What a beautiful film. We loved it so much that we made a Redneck American version to honor it.
ReplyDeleteYou can see the trailer at the following link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmdH3SnBKXc
This was an interesting love story, and I'm always interested in seeing how they can evolve love stories.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a good movie, but I didn't think it was a great movie. I'm not sure why, but I didn't. Maybe if I let it settle a bit.
Interesting story about how someone from an Indian slum can win big at a game show. I remember that a poor ice cream truck driver from Ohio won big on the game show Press Your Luck by memorizing the patterns on the board. In Jamal's case, he knew the answers through life experience. Looks like you just got to be clever to win on a game show.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful film that portraits real life in most of the parts in India. I don't agree with Ramesh. All the bollywood films focus only on Rich India, which is extremely irritating. We should see the India behind the tourist guide.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the movie, even after his beloved brother Salim's sacrificing death, he is enjoying and dancing with his girlfriend, which is extremely unpleasant and horrible. That climax ruined the whole life of the film.
It is the traditional and cultural values which show the richness and life of a country. Not buildings. But here too, cultural value didn't get any importance. India is the strongest in cultural values and traditional beliefs.
ReplyDeleteAnd while Jamal is watching tv with his girlfriend, Lathika in a house, a question is being asked in the game in the tv.
Which bridge connects India to Srilanka?
The options given there are:-
A.Adam's Bridge
B.Eve's Bridge
C.Eden's Bridge
D.Apple's Bridge
I wonder when Lord Rama changed his name to Adam or Eve or Eden or Apple. It is the one and only "RAMASEDU BRIDGE". How dare they question our traditional values?
And also, how did India too agree with that name?
This is a simple good film, but absolutely no message.
Couldnt agree with you more. :)
ReplyDeleteif possible, do go through my post on what slumdog means to me. Especially the kind of India depicted in it. move-over-sharukh-khan-slumdogs-here
Um Nikil, no one is questioning your traditional values with the bridge question.
ReplyDeleteThe bridge they are referring to in the question is not a man-made bridge at all. There is an ancient underwater sandbank known as Adam's Bridge, which connects India to Sri Lanka.
It seems that you are just looking for something to react to and some reason to call this movie 'anti-India' and disrespectful of India’s values.
Perhaps a little research is in order before the next knee jerk reaction?
Additionally, I really don't think it's fair to criticize the ending and say it ruins the movie.
When he is dancing with his girlfriend he has no idea and no way to know that his brother is dead since his girlfriend has his brother's cell phone.
He had just won the game show. He SHOULD be happy. He doesn't know about Jamal yet - how could he? The emotions are natural.
The movie basically shows how India is a country of uncivilized barbarians which needs to be tamed and civilized by the good, compassionate white folks - just like the American couple who saved Jamal when he was getting beaten and gave him $100 and said "son, this is the real America!". In short, the white man is good and the brown man is bad, even the good ones.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with Anon. The scene with the American's is clearly making fun of the arrogance of Americans. I took it no other way.
ReplyDeleteI am truly impressed with this film. And it's been a while. Having been to Mumbai for just a few days myself, it just hit me like a brick how intense that place is and what is behind the scenes of which I only saw the surface.
ReplyDeleteI've already noticed some negative reactions in reviews from Indians. I think this was quite a positive film however, not in the appearance but in the substance. Wow! I want to go back there..
I loved the ending dance number. I think we need to seperate what's really "meant" by the ending and see it as a jubilant artistic choice.
ReplyDeleteI can remember in the late 90's, a film by Abbas Kiarostami called "Taste of Cherry"- spoilers if one cares. The movie is about a man going about his day right before he decides to committ suicide. The "fictional" part of the story ends with him in a dirt grave.... and then we're shown handheld video of the same man (as the real life actor) walking around the grave, conversing with the director and film crew, obviously filmed during some downtime of the particular fictional scene we were left with. I cannot take ownership of this explanation, but a member of the message board I was a part of explained this "meta taxture" of the additional footage with something along the lines of "we're shown what makes Kiarostami live... and that is making movies"
I interpreted this dance number as something that exists outside of regular endings... it simply shows the unabashed joy that the actors and crew had while making this film. I wish more films interspersed these meta-textures into their running time.
I liked the movie, its easy to digest and most of the events are likely one, less dramatization, except at few times director has taken creative liberties. but that can be forgotten easily, but i dont see any form of criticism around, not even on technical grounds.
ReplyDeleteWake up smell the coffee your fricken Indians! This movie finally shows what India is and will be......a third world country! About time someone made a movie that represents the real India and not the bubble that Bollywood portrays!
ReplyDeleteNikil..........get a god damn life and since you feel so strongly about your culture and country, go live there if you already are not that barbaric third world country!
ReplyDeleteI think that goverment of INDIA should have banned this film. I think every single person who is an INDIAN and is related to this movie should be ashamed of themself because they have showed that they are not true INDIANS. Rather than working in this movie they should told and showed to the director what a real INDIA is. White trash will always show poor part of INDIA but not the more than 75% of rich part,and also what kind of lifestyle we have. This movie can be made on america too but nobody every show that. I am in america and i know there are people in worst conditions. what i feel like doing right now is that do to frick in mumbai and slap and crazly abuse every actor realted to this movie.
ReplyDeleteI am also angry like millions of other indians for showcasing india as poor and dirty country in this movie, but before we get angry lets face the facts india, mumbai has the biggest slum in asia which means its the biggest in the world also, leave slums just take a walk on any street in india you will notice nothing but filth, hundreds of cables hanging from from poles, spit and urin everywhere, overflowing garbage, mindless posters acutally we are all living in slums which we call cities. I started my life as site engineer I was living in one bedroom house but promised to maintain my house as clean as possible and soon my house had become so popular for cleaniness that people started coming to see how I live.
ReplyDeletenow I am married and a sucessful businessman, live in seven bedroom house still people come to see my house for cleaniness. recently I had vistors from germany they were shocked to see that someone in india can live in a house which is cleaner than their own in germany, if I can do this why cant others also? instead of blaming west, govt, for everything? lets start now and show the world that we can be better than them, so please get and start now, start dusting inside out not the other way around. promise now that you wont dirty the streets by spitting, throwing garbage or anything which spoils our streets.
finally I am glad that atleast this movie has opened our eyes which showed nothing but harsh facts about us and hoping that we change.
An absolute disappointment and an overrated film. With a totally unrealistic quiz show scenes. With the exception of the child actors, the adult cast (in particular the main actor) really let the film down.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Anil Kapoor just an extra in this movie. Why is he hogging all the limelight. He acts as if he is the star of the movie. I was watching him at the SAG awards and he literally pushed Dev Patel out of the way to grab the award. Such desperation. He is getting so irritating that i cant evn look at him anymore.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good film ................but not capable of wining OSCAR!!?!
ReplyDeleteAre we INDIANS so poor????????
While it is nice to see a movie based in India that doesn’t make it a great film.
ReplyDeleteThe film is just a slightly above mediocre Hollywood movie that has Indian actors instead of Americans.
The film is ultra predictable, cheesy, and the characters are shallow.
Why does he fall in love with her? There is no real chemistry between the characters. The audience is given no reason to believe there is any connection there. Why does he like her? She is hot? That is it.
The good looking people get together and get rich, the bad and not as pretty people lose, die, get shot, The End. How many films are like this? Like a million…
This is style (cute kids, great scenery in the movie) over substance.
A Times Of India post stated that Sharukh would have been better in this Movie ..........thats all crap ...Dev patel is indeed a good actor.... This movie is the real India... It addresses the entire of India....and the issues addressed have reached and touched the hearts of every watcher.... The Unexpectedness of the Film is what makes it eligible for every Oscar it has been nominated for.
ReplyDeleteWe wrote a review after we watched the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” and we say yep it’s a nice one. You should watch this independent production from Regisseurs Danny Boyle (”Trainspotting”) not only because this movie won all 4 categories at the golden.....more on http://www.dexflu.eu/blog/index.php/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire/
ReplyDeleteHey you 'anonymus' who said "Wake up smell the coffee your fricken Indians! This movie finally shows what India is and will be......a third world country! About time someone made a movie that represents the real India and not the bubble that Bollywood portrays!" I would like to thank you for saying that because either by mistake or on purpose you just called INDIA the "third world country" First is USA, secod is China and third is INDIA. This movie shows the old INDIA and somewhat percent of real INDIA. I think that you are from which country, which we all know that doesn't stand anywhere close to INDIA. So SHUT UP! Just for your kind of information, wait and watch how INDIA will now succeed
ReplyDeleteSlumdog Millionaire is a good movie. The sad part is that most of the credit is given to the girl, Pinto, for her performance, even though she had a small part at the end. If it wasn't for the 2 little boys doing an awesome job, the movie would not been this successful. I think the two boys deserve a huge credit for movie's success. Good job to the two little boys!
ReplyDeleteI'm Indian, and I happen to think the Indian haters are off base.
ReplyDeletea) This movie showcases a lot of Indian film talent for a bigger market (including the music). Shows that Indian actors and technicians and composers are no less talented than their US counterparts.
b) There are Indian movies made like this one, and Boyle picked up exact scenes from a few of them (Satya, Parinda, Black Friday) etc.
c) I dont think it shows India in a poor light - on the contrary, it shows that even Indian slum kids are inventive improvisers and smart. (Since the youngest kids are actual slum kids, just see how they nailed the acting)
d) Anyways, it showcases also India's continuing progress and economic development.
e) The poverty is of course real, and the haters from India are in denial. They should spend their energy and do something about it in India rather than bash this movie.
f) I HAVE WATCHED THIS MOVIE 7 TIMES = $77 and IM ADDICTED.
britishers are known for their self esteem and pride of BRITness.Herein case of SLUMDOG the director has spet the venom on Indians after 60 years of Brits had left India-a bare,begger,naked India.I recall the Impeachment of W.Hestings by Berk.--"I IMPEACH HIM IN THE NAME OF THE COMMONS OF GRT.BRITAIN IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED WHOSE PARLIAMENTARY TRUST HE HAS ABUSED.I IMPEACH HIM IN THE NAME OF OUR HOLY RELIGIOUN WHICH HE HAS DISGRACED.I IMPEACH HIM IN THE NAME OF THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION WHICH HE HAS VIOLATED AND BROKEN.I IMPEACH HIM IN THE NAME OF INDIAN MILLIONS WHOM HE HAS SACRIFISED TO INJUSTICE.I IMPEACH HIM BY THE NAME AND BY THE BEST RIGHTS OF HUMAN NATURE WHICH HE HAS STABBED TO THE HEART."
ReplyDeleteThough technically it may be a sound film but on the ethics of humanity and international peace loving environment I condemn the director because he has played the dirty,same old trick of THE HAVES to bare the HAVENOTS further to fill thir treasures.
I dint think it was such a interesting film.
ReplyDeleteFull of coincidences even rajnikany wud blush away !!
how come all the bad thngs in the entire world happpens to this chutiya. The child actors are flawless . te roles played by anil and irfan are guest appearances . the way they were dancing in the premier i felt that they are the slumdogs. i hate the concept and specially the scene where the american couple gives 100 bucks to the guy and tells him " this is real america" the movies is full on bore and just bcos of the fact some silly psudo intellectual loved the conept of taking a dip in the holy shit u shud go watch it !!
i dont know why everyone is reacting in such a weird way about the movie..first of all this is just a movie..i am also an indian and i am very proud of it..wht is wrong in it,if movie shows poverty in india...this is a fact there are certain sections of our country which lives below poverty line..so accept the fact..brothels exists in every country in the world..so they have shown it in the movie..wat is wrong in it..it is a fact that the childrens are made beggars in india..so why deny it...Each and every one in the world knows that india is a developing country,and we are improving fast and hope one day we can also come in league with other powerfull nation....till then chill out and enjoy..atleast this movie is far better then shahrukh khan movies which is fixed in those age old love stories and try to show dreams to the viewers which they cant fulfill..atleast in this movie a dream was fulfilled which looked real...
ReplyDeleteThe movie's ok. However, it has a few directorial flaws, for example how does the hindi slang-speaking young Jamal learn english; in fact how do any of the slum children speak? A few lighting & screenplay errors also can't be overlooked. The movie is good but that it has been nominated for 10 oscars need to be reconsidered
ReplyDeleteThis movie is a total exposure of India, and have been criticized by showing the poor poeple's lives. It has been nominated for oscar to make fun of India. I think the Indian actors shouldn't have acted in this movie even though they knew that this was the story. There's no right to any other country to make such idiotic and filthy films like SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE! Reality is everywhere, even at home, if every filmmaker started showing the reality around the world like this, i think it's gonna hurt relationships between our countries because no one likes getting insulted. This movie is a slap on India's face, so ya my fellow Indians! Don't be happy that u're being slapped on the stage while recieving awards for acting in this movie.
ReplyDeleteThis movie is a total exposure of India, and have been criticized by showing the poor poeple's lives. It has been nominated for oscar to make fun of India. I think the Indian actors shouldn't have acted in this movie even though they knew that this was the story. There's no right to any other country to make such idiotic and filthy films like SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE! Reality is everywhere, even at home, if every filmmaker started showing the reality around the world like this, i think it's gonna hurt relationships between our countries because no one likes getting insulted. This movie is a slap on India's face, so ya my fellow Indians! Don't be happy that u're being slapped on the stage while recieving awards for acting in this movie.
ReplyDeleteSlumdog Millionaire: Is India, what is shown in the Movie? Does this movie correctly reflect India? Why should the movie be permitted to spoil the image of Brand India?
ReplyDeleteThe recently released and much acclaimed movie Slumdog: Millionaire has depicted India in a particular manner; The Slum, The Society, The Police, The reality television-show ethics, the poverty and the cruelty. Shown in the movie is the religious fanatic, the crooked TV show anchor, senseless police, extreme poverty and miserable living conditions. While one can not and need not mask reality but the proportion and the severity shown in the movie needs to be balanced. Any sensible Indian will agree that India is not what has been shown in the movie and it definitely is not a correct and complete picture of India. This also gives rise to a question – is this deliberate skew added to help the film sell?
Now, having said this, please think of the image the movie would create in the minds of people who have never visited India or have no other means of getting the correct picture of India.
I happen to travel to many countries frequently and have met people from many nationalities. I have often had an opportunity to test the feeling or image about India. More often than not, I have personally seen people believing that India is still a country full of Maharajas, dacoits, thugs, religious fanatics, criminals and snake-charmers. Where as we all know that in spite of having genuine problems we are changing, improving & upcoming. Probably, movies like this inadvertently add to such sentiments.
I strongly believe that such a one-sided, extreme depiction greatly spoils image of brand India, which will take years together and millions of dollars to rectify. Is someone worried about that? When an Indian exporter meets a possible buyer in developed countries, his ability is looked at with suspicion. Is someone worried about that? An international tourist drops his idea of visiting India because of the depiction, is somebody worried about that? Is it not duty of administrators of films in India to visualize impact of such a movie on country’s image?
The only suggestion here is, the film-maker would have at least balanced the story to neutralize the image of the country or the administrators would have ensured sensor on the extremes shown in the movie. But then, depicting poverty is the ‘masala that helps sell a movie! Or helps get Awards.
Dr. D K Mehta
dkmehta99@yahoo.com
it is true indian city story. they r dare to take 100% real poor country to the world. is there any body in govt/politician to answer the slumdog india. i'm from slum in india. how many from slum raised to become millionaires. only politician with vested interest raised millions but done nothing to slums and its people. need more and more slumdog stories to come every month shown. indian dare not venture into this type cinema. only few great indians have courage. hats off to slumdog millionaire.
ReplyDeleteI watched it yesterday. First of all, I don't enjoy watching movies showing abuse, miseries and disasters.
ReplyDeleteI found it a bit sensational. Furthermore, they should have stick with the girl who played "latika" while she was approx 16. Frieda Pinto simply doesn't look like her at all whatsoever, I found it disturbing.
Script: At the end of the movie Jamal is asked the 3 Musketeers question. Wouldn't it be great if he would answer "Latika was the 3rd". This really would add something to the script. He would loose all his money, but he would be with her.
Overall, I don't think this was such a good movie. I found it a bit sensational. Jamal's acting (Dev Patel) was good though.
this is really good film. and the whole movie is all about three characters salim,jamal and latika. but when comes to awards where is salim, without him there is no link between hero and herione. all the time film industry wont give much importance to the suppored actros.. really bad
ReplyDeleteIts really fun to watch out a poor guy from slums creeping to such great heights. but some time i feel this movie has fail to satisfy all masses specially Indians. There are many reasons to it. but fairly the director has played with words and hearts.
ReplyDeleteIts an disgusting movie forsure.. I have not seen the movie yet. But the story is a crap. They can't point India.The movie is mostly liked by the people out of India and those Indians who liked are of no use to be called Indians.
ReplyDeleteIndia is not the same as before. They can't point India in that way. I agree to Ramesh, those days are gone when other countries point India for no use.
How did the Indians agreed that its a good movie.. Gosshh!! Shame ful...
Its scam to spoil image of India in the world, and its quite surprising how Indian govt has allowed to shoot this kind of movie in India! Every Indian should raise their voice. And it is also surprising that actors like AK and SK are feeling pride for this movie!
ReplyDeleteKalpesh Shah.
Bullshit..spoiling Indian image..every Indian should protest..surprising how indian govt has allowed to shoot this movie and how AK and SK are feeling pride?
ReplyDeleteKalpesh.
Well, some anonymous guy out there thinks Slumdog shows the 'real' India, he's got it terribly wrong. To some extent, yes, Bollywood portrays it wrongly. and to a large extent, Hollywood portrays it wrongly. FYI, a quarter of the people working for the US are Indians. India and China were the only countries to record a positive growth above 5% last quarter. Please do not make unnecessary inflammatory comments about things you do not understand.
ReplyDeleteSlumdog Millionaire is a good movie no doubt. But I think the music was not extraordinary, as is shown to be. I'm in full support for A.R Rahman, but people, please look for other Rahman songs which are better than 'Jai Ho' and 'O Saya'.
ReplyDeleteYou can listen to A.R on musicindiaonline.com
People in the West see this as the real India. I'll bet that the guy who said so was born with silver spoon(s) in the mouth. Even America has an underbelly. I advise you not to make idiotic posts again.
ReplyDeleteAnd, a question on the show, namely: Who composed the bhajan 'Darshan Do Ganshyam'.....? was absolutely wrong. Or rather, the options were wrong.
ReplyDeleteSource: The Times of India, Bangalore
I really don't understand what is there to react about if the film has portrayed poverty of India, it is after all a part of the story. Poverty is a fact among a cross-section of the society, and which country do not have poor people or slums. The hard fact is "Slumdog Millionaire" is an awesome movie worth every bit of adulation it gets...
ReplyDeletethis movie shows india government is chootiya (which in english means impotent bunch of pricks). it is proof that 20-20 cricket match makes millions of dollars for government pockets and not to help poor.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't government ban this movie... simple, they want india to be seen as poor, story is not true but it is considered to be true in western countries and they are enjoying it with their tea.
It is a extreme shame on indian government and each and every person who helped that bloody danny just for couple of dollars. every person who worked in this movie can't be an indian and that bloody government who didn't stop this movie from coming out.
Very Good Guys!!! Appreciating the achievements of Danny Boyle???
ReplyDeleteThey have been awarded to humiliate India & Indians. Some british people still having this problem. Since 1947, they have some grievance against India as some of them are grandson of some Major’s or General’s of british military ruled here before our independence. So they know about us by those stories told them by their grand parents. So since their childhood they hatred us & always find an opportunity to prove that we’re not civilized or our civilization is fake. We also got a great habit of licking their shoes since 1757, starting from Mir zafar.
Do you think this is the best ever music composed by A.R. Rahman or best of life time lyrics written by Gulzar ????? or is this film was even better than Lagan, Swadesh or Taare Zameen Par………I’m keeping Satyajit Ray movies aside….
This film won 8 Oscar awards which take it closer to the movies like Ben-Hur or Titanic. But is this movie really belongs to that level ???
I've started believing even If we (any one of us.....u or me) make a movie showing all negative sides of India, or if you can portrait India even worse than most of the underdeveloped African countries or any other third world countries, you’ll get bag full of Oscars.
There are so many negative sides of US or UK. Why don’t they make film about present unemployment in USA or the uncontrolled crime you’ll find all across the USA. Why don’t they make a film on them. Why don’t they make a movie on attack on world trade center, Pentagon or in London metro or the british hooligans. We’ll give them at least a film fare award…….J. Or there is no other subject in India to make a movie like tradition, culture, family values and many more. They can make movies on China or Chinese traditions because they have better economy & get most of the supplies from them.
Don’t we have any self respect or we have to pray always to them to certify our capabilities. They’ll always evaluate our values??? Who the hell are them????
White skin doesn’t mean right always.
Be confident!!! Be a proud Indian!!! Be a real Indian!!!
Actually these white skin people are really very insecured with us that is why they always try to prove india to be inferior.............
ReplyDeleteMan.. what a bunch of whiners...
ReplyDeleteI am from India too and I know the part shown in the movie exists there and it has been shown with some amount of sugar coated on it.. yes its still more brutal...
But, I really don't think it is a well made "MOVIE". Its straight out of the '80s bollywood films starring amitabh and others.. It is weak as a movie.. not because it portrays India in any light it may..
Film is not "celebration of creativity".....it is just any other movie made with goody-goody feel on human relationship and Love prevails non-sense. It is just that it is made by a westerner and distributed by "Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures"...hence it made a global opening....
ReplyDeleteIndia is portrayed as a pathetic slum which west wanted to see as they do not want to tarnish the image which they comply with.
Rest stupidity of congress to take the credit is cheap and they should try to do something for country rather than taking a bath in the glory of some movie.
First and foremost, I would like to appreciate everybody who supported or even spoke against the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”. I take this opportunity to congratulate the whole team that was behind the success of this movie. We Indian have the right to express our views on any matter, as we have our constitutional right “right to speech”. I applaud the people who wrote against the movie for their patriotism and love for our mother land India. But, we shouldn’t get emotional when we want to rationalize a matter to be right or wrong (even though both these words are relative in nature).
ReplyDeleteEverybody is not happy the way in which, the other side of India was depicted in this movie. It starts with the name, “Slumdog”….some are not happy with the name, even though some of our high rank politicians use very uncivilized words to address their opponents and the latest being the CM of a southern state who said that “even a dog would not have visited the house of a dead commando, if he would not have died in the Mumbai terror attack”. I don’t know why so many people look down on dogs and disgrace them!!!
Well, what is wrong that was showed in the movie, if we don’t accept the truth and reality of the plight of the super poor segment of India, we would never try to bring up their standard of living and finally eradicate poverty from our soil…why we want to close our eyes and live in our dreams of utopia. The truth is, we are not living alone in this country or rather on the earth, and we have to have rational thinking and humanity towards everybody on this planet! How can we live in harmony, when millions of people are terrified by death and war in another part of this world! We have to stop thinking small and try to visualize the Bigger Picture.
Let me quote to you the words of wisdom, "Be the change you want to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi
Let’s not lament or waste time criticizing other, let’s work together for the changes that we want to see in India…..lets eradicate slums in India. Jai hind!
Did anyone else notice that Slumdog Millionaire is basically "Forest Gump does Mumbai"?
ReplyDeleteThink about it. Switch up, Forrest telling his stories to random folks on a bench, with the interrogation chamber, and its the same. Plus the kid running everywhere, the unlikely events, the girl just out of reach. Am I the only one who see's this?
Yes Ben - you are the only one who sees this.
ReplyDeletehi all,
ReplyDeleteI watched slumdog couple of times and everytime i saw i got even bad feelings about my country is this all what happens in here is it our only real face we should show to the world are these the situation everybody faces here.
but when at the end i reached the credits oh! its a britisher who feels such a thing and feels so open hearted about his american counterpart(this is real america with a hundred dollar) and if he wanted to potray the problems which we are facing where is terrorism or its just freedom fighters for him.
i can bet on a dozen film far better than this from indian directors still unrecognized on the international screens
8 oscars just because its an hollywood film what about films from india showing these things from decade (Salaam bombay,roja, yuva, company which is just tip of an iceberg) and what recognition it gives to us a country of child abuse, child labour , communal voilence , corruption , social insecurity
it does hurt somewhere although i recognize its a fact buts thats not all there are even bigger facts of NGO's and charity working in the worlds biggest slum for the so called slumdogs.
and lastly i would just like to say anil kapoor acting and potraying amitabh was awful
for every indian kaun banega carorepati flashes amitabh in the minds who even to people younger then him would suffix ji and a person would not even shake hands with married women just "namaskar" ass a mark of repect would not even comment about anyone's personnel life . his depiction what anil kapoor did was very untruthful and just added masala to the movie
Well Said Jerome....
ReplyDeleteWe'll i'd like to speak again....but let me tell you people....that Slumdog.... has really done good things to India. Not just because it won 3 Oscars for India, but it somewhat opened the eyes of Indians and more importantly Indian politicians. The intensity with which the film was received in India was just overwhelming. For a fact, the Maharashtra Housing Development Board (which is in charge of Mumbai) is looking into giving flats for slum people.
One of the main reasons why India is still quite backward compared to G-7 and all is that people do not pay taxes properly.
For a fact, out of around a billion rupees to be collected as property tax for Greater Bangalore (which includes only half of the real Bangalore), about 10% has been collected. Government officials are also to blame, I agree, but the responsibility lies with the citizens.
Ahem...coming back to the movie, it isn't a movie worth 8 oscars at all. In India, even an unbiased jury would have given it only one filmfare award. And er...one more thing....i've serious doubts whether the show 'who wants to be a millionaire' is a live show or not...i wonder if anyone could enlighten me on this matter...
Jai Hind!
The movie's popularity is alo providing some good spinback for the impoverished populations it depicts.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-chin/can-this-years-feel-good_b_169864.html
I feel that slumdog didnt deserve the oscars it eventually did because it was made by the british. As compared to films like Mother India, or Mughal E Azam, Slumdog dosent stand a chance. It did win an Oscar as it was directed by a British on an Indian Soil. I somehow feel that Danny Boyle sent out a strong message to Bollywood that to win an oscar films are made on a good story and not shot in exotic locations and to cast a character one need not be a beauty contest winner or a super model but it is acting that counts. The exposure of the slums sent a clear message to our indian government that our film personalities charge exuberant fees for doing films and spent millions over a film and films are bombed at the box office. If the same film personalities work for the betterment of the downtrodden and be more creative in their work so why cant an indian director win an Oscar.
ReplyDeleteSlumdog , the movie is a piece of art and wonderfully directed/riveting cinema but
ReplyDeletelike always there is a con to every pro. Oscar was awarded to
director /producer & Rahman/Gulzar for song/score but here comes the
spin… Indians world wide are being fondly addressed as "slumdogs". The
folks who have never seen/read or are ignorant about India have come to
the conclusion that "slums are India's icon". A friend of mine
who always wanted to go see India now says.. "after watching the movie,
I have no desire to do so…" Indian politicians are so proud of the
movie and saying "it won the Oscars.." are those scums also proud of the
fact that millions of kids are being rendered sightless every moment in Indian
orphanages so that the goons can live off of the pan handling money
those kids earn for them? Danny Boyle should be proud of the movie but
should the Indian politicians be proud of it as well? isn't it like a
slap in their faces?
I liked the movie for its clever direction, great movie... Jai ho
i think the song/music is a copy from a few songs/music
ReplyDeleteThe film has been a subject of discussion among a variety of people in India and the Indian diaspora. It sure is riveting cinema. I do not agree with the statement most people in India are making ”Slumdog projects India as Third World dirty under belly developing nation”.The patriots who are all torn up about it should rather accept the facts of existence and address the human aspect of the “life in a slum” instead of dwelling on it. Hoodwinking and living in a la-la land will not help either.
ReplyDeleteYes, murky destitution thrives in developed nations as well:
An American working as a critic in India, Matthew Schneeberger, opined: "Say an Indian director travelled to New Orleans for a few months to film a movie about Jamal Martin, an impoverished African American who lost his home in Hurricane Katrina, who once had a promising basketball career, but who -- following a drive-by shooting -- now walks with a permanent limp, whose father is in jail for selling drugs, whose mother is addicted to crack cocaine, whose younger sister was killed by gang-violence, whose brother was arrested by corrupt cops, whose first born child has sickle cell anaemia, and so on.
The movie would be widely panned and laughed out of theatres."
Slumdog Millionare may be a good movie for some & man not be for some.The movie has drawn the attention all over the world but, Indian people are getting more emotionally involved with a mere cinematic creation.Please do remember there are numerous movies made by Indian film industry showcasing poverty,slums and other social issues.Well, for me It is obvious that every talent( science or cinema or sports )craves for worlds recognition and admiration which can be accompalished by getting the most prestigious award in that domain.
ReplyDeleteThese Oscar awards are none other than a Olympic medal or a Nobel prize for India & its talent in cimena.So, appreciate the effort and be happy instead of contending on Uk film maker ,US awards, Indian actors.
I agree with "This is not a ‘feel-good’ movie!” it is devastating sad to see what happens to the three central characters in their childhood. However there is a very happy ending. Love triumphs, this is a must see movie!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print.aspx?Id=4e661b6b-ca91-43f6-8153-e927ad151c76
ReplyDeleteThe movie seems to have won the oscar simply because it showed grim reality - the only problem i see is - it is too much of the grim part which took away the reality. India is not all slums, communal riots, children maiming etc. But showing too much of that conveys the impression it is only that...
ReplyDeleteAmitabh Bachhan was right in what he said, sad it was turned against him...
Hmmm,, 8 oscars. Be proud India. U got it for being shown as a useless country. I mean what was so great after all man/? that stupid anil kapoor and dev patel go for a pee after the 1 crore question is asked? and then he goes to jail, get s tortured , and goes for the 2 crore question the next day. wake up. This movie has got an award based on sheer politics. DISSAPOINTING
ReplyDeleteUSELESS AND V STUPID MOVIE
ReplyDeleteUSELESS AND V STUPID MOVIE
ReplyDeleteDear NIKIL and fellow slumdog haters,
ReplyDeleteNIKIL your an idiot. your letting all your fellow countrymen down. you call out the movies lack of knowledge by saying a question they asked did not have a correct answer...well actually, your the one without a correct answer...
"Which bridge connects India to Srilanka?
The options given there are:-
A.Adam's Bridge
B.Eve's Bridge
C.Eden's Bridge
D.Apple's Bridge
I wonder when Lord Rama changed his name to Adam or Eve or Eden or Apple. It is the one and only "RAMASEDU BRIDGE". How dare they question our traditional values?"
Heres the facts budddd, the correct answer is Adams Bridge.
Talaimannar, situated at the tip of Mannar Island, is where Nala Sethu (Adam's Bridge) - the string of coral reefs, shoals and shifting sandbanks that connect India with Sri Lanka - begins. This bridge was allegedly built by the monkey-general Hanuman, who then crossed over from India with his simian army in a series of giant leaps to rescue Sita.
This movie was a great movie with a message and in my opinion (and apparently the opinion of most movie critics) was a pretty realistic opinion of india. it didnt win all those awards for nothing
So NIKIL, before you start playin that card let me jus say that it's not this movie that gives India a bad name and makes me question your traditional values. Its ignorant people like you. Seriously, how do you not know the ONLY bridge connecting india and srilanka...dumbbb. oh and next time i call about computer problems id appreciate it if you didnt put me on hold for 30 minutes. thanks. c-yaaaaa NIKIL
Sad to say it turns out a pathetic disappointment, just another moralizing caricature of India — at least Katherine Mayo seemed authentic, this has no authenticity anywhere besides a final Hindi song-and-dance routine which at least looks like a Hindi song-and-dance routine.
ReplyDeletethe movie is great, one of the best movies that i have ever seen in my life, but i have got a project for my english class about the movie which is driving me nuts, so i need someone to help me in with the project, if u r intrested plz contact me at: issani92@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSlumdog Millionaire was released in early 2009; this romantic drama was based in India. The star of the movie was Dev Patel. Patel’s character, Jamal has been in love with a girl named Latika, since he encountered her in the slums at a young age. Latika found Jamal very respectful and kind, but was kidnapped one day while they were in the slums. Jamal’s right hand in the movie was his brother Salim. Jamal loved his brother, but Salim would cause a lot of grief for Jamal, that would later catch up to him. The movie’s pace gradually sped up with Jamal was dealing with lots of trials and tribulations, until Jamal was an adult working as a Chaiwallah (“a person who provides tea, either by selling or bringing it”[1]).
ReplyDeleteWhile Jamal was working as a Chaiwallah for a call center in India, he noticed that many of the employees were very fascinated with “Kaun Banega Crorepati”, the Indian version of the American television show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Jamal didn’t understand what all the hype was for, so he never took interest to the show. Until one day when one of the employees at the call center asked him to sit in for a few minutes. At the age of 18 years old, Jamal had not spoken to his brother Salim for many years. Jamal used the call center’s phone search to first look up his childhood love, Latika, which resulted in no results. Then he searched his brother Salim, and was able to find his number and speak with him. He met up with Salim and Salim told him that he knew where Latika was living. Jamal went to see Latika, to find out that she was living with an abusive man and Latika asked Jamal to leave her alone, because she didn’t have a choice to leave.
Jamal was left heartbroken knowing that Latika didn’t deserve to live with such a violent man and was determine to have her with him. He went back to the home Latika was staying in the next day and she was gone. Jamal decided that he would try to get on “Kaun Banega Crorepati”, so Latika could see him.
Jamal won a chance to be the show “Kaun Banega Crorepati”. The host of the show was Prem Kumar; he was very amused that Jamal was a Chaiwallah and made fun him throughout the show, by saying phrases such as “The Chaiwalah has done it again!” Everyone was surprised that Jamal was able to answer so many questions, especially when he reached 10,000,000 rupees. This is where the movie takes a dramatic turn, and leaves Jamal not knowing will Latika ever see him on television.
Slumdog Millionaire is great for all ages, races, and genders. This is a heartfelt movie that will teach viewers many great life lessons and unlike many dramas this movie keeps viewers eyes on the screen the entire movie. The movie’s scenery and actors’ passions creates an appreciation for Indian culture and its people. Robert Ebert gave a high rating to the movie inside of the Chicago Sun-Times to the movie by saying “When I saw “Slumdog Millionaire” at Toronto, I was witnessing a phenomenon: dramatic proof that a movie is about how it tells itself. I walked out of the theater and flatly predicted it would win the Audience Award.” Also Claudia Puig of USA Today said “With dazzling, magical realism and vigorous storytelling, the film has an enchanting power, fusing a fairy tale quality with gritty realism.” With all that being said this is a must see movie that will leave you feeling many emotions, but most importantly giving you a sense of hope.
Slumdog Millionaire was released in early 2009; this romantic drama was based in India. The star of the movie was Dev Patel. Patel’s character, Jamal has been in love with a girl named Latika, since he encountered her in the slums at a young age. Latika found Jamal very respectful and kind, but was kidnapped one day while they were in the slums. Jamal’s right hand in the movie was his brother Salim. Jamal loved his brother, but Salim would cause a lot of grief for Jamal, that would later catch up to him. The movie’s pace gradually sped up with Jamal was dealing with lots of trials and tribulations, until Jamal was an adult working as a Chaiwallah (“a person who provides tea, either by selling or bringing it” ).
ReplyDeleteWhile Jamal was working as a Chaiwallah for a call center in India, he noticed that many of the employees were very fascinated with “Kaun Banega Crorepati”, the Indian version of the American television show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Jamal didn’t understand what all the hype was for, so he never took interest to the show. Until one day when one of the employees at the call center asked him to sit in for a few minutes. At the age of 18 years old, Jamal had not spoken to his brother Salim for many years. Jamal used the call center’s phone search to first look up his childhood love, Latika, which resulted in no results. Then he searched his brother Salim, and was able to find his number and speak with him. He met up with Salim and Salim told him that he knew where Latika was living. Jamal went to see Latika, to find out that she was living with an abusive man and Latika asked Jamal to leave her alone, because she didn’t have a choice to leave.
Jamal was left heartbroken knowing that Latika didn’t deserve to live with such a violent man and was determine to have her with him. He went back to the home Latika was staying in the next day and she was gone. Jamal decided that he would try to get on “Kaun Banega Crorepati”, so Latika could see him.
Jamal won a chance to be the show “Kaun Banega Crorepati”. The host of the show was Prem Kumar; he was very amused that Jamal was a Chaiwallah and made fun him throughout the show, by saying phrases such as “The Chaiwalah has done it again!” Everyone was surprised that Jamal was able to answer so many questions, especially when he reached 10,000,000 rupees. This is where the movie takes a dramatic turn, and leaves Jamal not knowing will Latika ever see him on television.
Slumdog Millionaire is great for all ages, races, and genders. This is a heartfelt movie that will teach viewers many great life lessons and unlike many dramas this movie keeps viewers eyes on the screen the entire movie. The movie’s scenery and actors’ passions creates an appreciation for Indian culture and its people. Robert Ebert gave a high rating to the movie inside of the Chicago Sun-Times to the movie by saying “When I saw “Slumdog Millionaire” at Toronto, I was witnessing a phenomenon: dramatic proof that a movie is about how it tells itself. I walked out of the theater and flatly predicted it would win the Audience Award.” Also Claudia Puig of USA Today said “With dazzling, magical realism and vigorous storytelling, the film has an enchanting power, fusing a fairy tale quality with gritty realism.” With all that being said this is a must see movie that will leave you feeling many emotions, but most importantly giving you a sense of hope.
THE MOST DEMEANING PORTRAYAL OF INDIA. I HATE THIS MOVIE.
ReplyDeleteTHATS NOT WHAT INDIA IS ABOUT.
I AM DISAPPOINTED.....THAT THIS IS ALL THEY HAD TO TALK ABOUT. THERE ARE WOMEN WHO WORK HARD AND MAKE MONEY TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES....BUT NOOO YOU HAVE TO SHOW THE ONES THAT SELL THEIR BODIES.....BECAUSE THATS MORE ENTERTAINING. BULL SHIT.
SLUM GOD MILLIONAIRE IS THE WORST MOVIE EVER. THE MOST DEMEANING PORTRAYAL OF INDIA EVER.
ReplyDeleteIM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE PEOPLE WHO DID THIS MOVIE. THERE ARE WOMEN WHO WORK HARD DECENTLY TO FEED THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILES.....BUT NOOO YOU HAVE TO SHOW THE ONES THAT SELL THEIR BODIES BECAUSE THATS MORE ENTERTAINING. BULL SHIT. THIS DID NOT DESERVE AN OSCAR. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY INDIA IS SO PROUD OF IT. THEY SOLD U. IM INDIAN AND IM NOT PROUD, AND I DONT EVEN LIVE IN INDIA. BE ASHAMED.
Slumdog Millionaire is indeed a "feel good" fairy tale movie, well-made. I'm not so sure it qualifies for an Oscar.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can see why some Indians object to it. India is very large and very complex and a story about its slum and povery is just one side of the picture.
Yet it's not fair to say no films are made about American problems. Hollywood has made hundreds (thousands?) of gangster/Mafia movies, though that is only a small part of the US.
Bollywood movies are also feel-good fairy tales, but accepted because they're made by Indians for Indians.
http://www.tinyurl.com/BCDSFightSlavery
ReplyDeleteFollow this link to see how to fight against Indian Child Labor and see how my 10th grade English class is fighting modern day slavery all over the world.