Editor’s note : This article was originally published on Jan 12, 2009 even before it got nominated for the Oscars.

Caution: The article contains spoilers to the movie and reading further may reduce the joy of actually watching it.

First of all, congratulations to the crew of “Slumdog Millionaire” for winning the Golden Globe and other awards. Special congratulations to the movie director Danny Boyle and AR Rahman. Danny Boyle has succeeded in creating a movie that viewers are going crazy about.

The movie begins with the protogonist Jamaal Malik (played by Dev Patel), a Mumbai slumdweller and serving tea at a call center, being interrogated by the Mumbai police. He is suspected of committing fraud while answering all the questions leading to the 20 million rupee question in the Kaun Banega Crorepathi (KBC) program.

Jamaal explains each of his life experiences that help him answer the questions on the KBC program. The experience takes us through the tough life Jamaal has had and touches upon uncomfortable issues like the shocking Mumbai slum life, communal riots, child begging rackets, child prostituition, the other side of Agra and the Mumbai underworld. It also takes us through India’s economic development, the call centers and globalization.

The film essentially showcauses the two key relationships in Jamaal’s life- one with his elder brother Salim and the other with his true love- Latika. Whereas Jamaal is an innocent boy with only goodness in him, Salim is more complex. He rescues Jamaal from critical situations but also causes Jamaal considerable anguish by becoming a part of the underworld and also separting Jamaal from Latika forcibly. But Jamaal is undeterred in his quest to regain his true love and finally triumphs. Salim’s love for his younger brother Jamaal also triumphs in the end.

Interestingly, Jamaal also wins the KBC contest and wins Rs.20 million but that is not really what Jamaal is after. The movie ends with a delightful song and dance number and it ends that way for a reason. Watch the movie to find out.

This is a great rag to riches movie which makes the viewers feel good at the end. No wonder the movie is a hit abroad. The cast includes Anil Kapoor, Irfaan Khan, Mahesh Manjrekar and Saurab Shukla. The music by AR Rahman is excellent (not his best though) and the soundtrack, especially “O Saya” grows on you.

Now, this brings us to the question – Will “Slumdog Millionaire” win the Oscars? The film already has won 4 Golden Globe  awards and is a solid contender for the Oscar awards.

The coverage in the western press has been extremely positive. From Chicago Sun-Times to People , New York Times and Wall Street Journal the reviews have been outstanding.  Wall Street Journal goes on to praise it as a good movie for the bad times.

I am however surprised by the hostile reaction of the Indians who have seen the movie who complain it as over-hyped and show India in a bad light. Agreed the movie has some dark moments and can create a negative impression of India. But then what is shown is reality from which we cannot escape. Perhaps they should see “Oliver Twist” before complaining. Moreover, the complaint is missing the whole point.

At the end of it, the movie will be remembered not for its depiction of India but as a movie that celebrates the triumph of goodness, hope and real love.  And that in India, it is possible even for a “slumdog” (not used in a derogatory way) to become a “millionaire“.

As far as awards are concerned, my gut feeling is, this movie will bring Oscars to India. “Maybe, its written”. If you have already seen the movie, you know what I mean.

My recommendation:you may know the story, there are flaws in the movie,but watch it for its grand finale and also the joyous movie viewing experience.

PS: Watch this amazing video

Image Credit: Itdan

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