Slumdog Millionaire literally means "jhopdi ka kutta bana crorepati".
Ever since this movie has come into the limelight, people have been expressing their biased views about it. No one in India had even heard about the movie till it actually won Golden Globe awards and I am sure people in India need much more than just being "nominated" to get up from their beds and their daily life of not doing anything to start expressing ignorant views about the movie.
I do think certain characters and scenes of the movie were exaggerated to reinforce the story, but this is a fair portrayal. As a native of Mumbai, I know what the slums there can be like. It is easy to say Mumbai as one of the most developed cities of India, but still there are parts where child abuse and extreme poverty are dominant and more so intimidating. People in India have started blaming the director and cast directors of the movie. Director Danny Boyle has really made something out of the ordinary here for the masses. And what's not to forget is that the movie's co-director who was responsible for all the shootings in Mumbai is Loveleen Tandon, an INDIAN herself !
And to top off, her's the icing on the cake, the movie is based on a novel "Q and A" written by an Indian diplomat in South Africa, Mr. Vikas Swarup and that novel was published in 2005 !! hey were there no voices raised against him ? Why was this issue not out in 2005 ? Why did the journalists who are now criticizing the movie, not talk anything about the novel. I admit there will be subtle changes in writings and potrayal, but the gist still remains the same.
What's surprising to hear that some guy in Patna has sued Anil Kapoor and A R Rahman for calling slum dwellers "slumdogs" and Indians "dogs" in the movie and this guy hasn't even seen the movie !! Do these kind of people have really no work whatsoever. Our very own Mr. Amitabh Bachchan has criticized the movie's "western" qualities. Ask him whats Indian about the movies made today.....especially Nishabd..:). Some people call it a "vile-poverty porn". Now come on people. Get a life. Just truly enjoy the movie keeping aside your differences
I saw the craziness that gripped the country when "Kaun Banega Crorepati" was launched in 2001, and I don't think that is exaggerated in the movie. The depiction of the class hierarchies that run India also rings true. Renowned filmmaker Krishna said "To me Slumdog Millionaire is the perfect marriage of British story-telling and the style of Bombay masala movies, which always culminate in the romantic leads finding each other." Now that makes sense.
All in all, the kids win, the villian gets his due and love prevails. What's different than any other Indian movie that has been made !!
And despite some Indian and British controversy about the film's take on Mumbai life, I would embrace director Danny Boyle's feel-good epic about a teen who wins Kaun Banega Crorepati...Enjoy
Sanx
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3 comments:
That's truly said..I would like to add to your comments. For once, if Indian people (read MEDIA & NETAS!!) stop viewing this movie critically just coz it was made by a firang, they would appreciate some really good things about the movie!
Ironically, this movie was recommended to me by my labmate and a professor (both american) who were in awe of Mumbai and discussed the movie with me since I am Mumbaiyya (and I couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear, obviously you echo my sentiments! :)) The best part of the movie was despite showing destitute poverty and dire circumstances, what was highlighted was the undying spirit and will of the kids (a metaphor for the people, if you will). One and all (and this includes an international audience) that could watch the movie without sympathizing with the people. Instead it makes you laugh and empathize and above all, applaud the intelligence and courage of the kids. Yes, for the sake of criticizing, one can call it slum tourism or whatever, but the motivation or outcome, you can choose either was a brilliant portrayal of the true life and spirit of the common Indian people. And, so what if its a Scottish director, he did one of the best jobs at displaying this, probably better than most current Indian directors. Kudos to him for not crossing the thin line between attracting attention out of respect versus that out of pity!
Grt one Sanket.....I second every bit of wat u say....exactly as u say it...
We Indians a god-damn hypocrites not to acknowledge the HUGE divide between the lower strata and the upper strata....and the gap only seems to be widening.
And our very own Amitabh Bachchan has contributed a lot in making ppl feel sorry abt the portrayals in the movie...thats another prob with us...anything that Mr Bachchan says is right!!....
well written dude...and a very well made movie as well...
Forgetting about the fact that mumbai houses one of the largest slums in Asia, I feel that what was depicted was essentially required as part of the film's script.
Also, it was great to see how kids came up fighting all sorts of problems and ending up successful...
Now that is what we can call the true "spirit of mumbai"..
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