Slumdog Millionnaire

Here we go...

Before I make any comments, let me just announce that I am an Indian who lives in England! Now, personally, I admire this film. Especially the kid who plays the youngest Jamal, Ayush Mahesh Khadekar. Now, recently, in India, there have been lots of debates about how this film is an insult to India and how India's image has been spoilt in the West etc,etc. My view?

There are 1.1 billion people in India. 800 million of them live on less than 20 rupees a day. [27p] Yes, we have our Mittals, Ambanis and Birlas but what about the 800 million Jamals, Latikas and Salims? The people who criticise the film are the upper class, English speaking, members of the elite society who, drive by in their air conditioned Mercedeses and BMW's past those slum kids, without sparing a second thought to the appallingly heart wrenching conditions those little souls live in. I have lived in Mumbai for many years, and I know, for a fact, that for us Indians, these sights of starving children are purely normal! Why would an Indian director make a film about the normal, REAL life? No one criticises Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham where the characters live in mansions that would make Buckingham Palace cringe! Thats the image of India, is it? Don't think so!!

So the film has its exaggerrated, over the top versions. That maybe your personal view. I have heard of eyes being gouged out several times in Mumbai but all of a sudden, when its out there, in front of the whole world, we're all up in arms about it? Why didn't we do anything to prevent any such rumours or incidents from taking place in the first place? So what if kids don't always steal all the parts from your car when you are out and about! Its a film! Not a documentary for crying out loud!!

The principal point is, many Indians cannot digest the fact that it took a 'foreigner' to open our eyes ! We care about the 'image' of India being projected but not about ACTUALLY having the biggest slums in the planet. We care about the director being British but not about the fact that while watching the film, you wouldn't, for a moment, think it wasn't an Indian who crafted this phenomenal film!

A R Rahman. He is a musical legend. BUT, I will wholeheartedly admit that there have been several of his past compositions that were more Oscar deserving. Having said that, like everyone knows and admits, if there is one Indian out there who should receive an Oscar, its A R Rahman. He has made us all truly proud.

One minor thing I would have hoped from Slumdog Millionnaire was to also project a slight view of the middle class [to stop them moaning] lives so that certain ignorant Westerners realise that India, isn't 100% slums.

To sum up, this movie is miraculous in my opinion. Deserved every success! I admire Danny Boyle and every single person associated with it especially the young kids. As this is my first ever blog and I need to finish off quickly [with my Dad screaming at me in the background], I will just say to the critics of this film, ''the green eyed monster is never a good possession''.

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