Slumdog Millionaire : A great Concept but...

It was when Slumdog Millionaire won Golden Globe awards for Best Movie (drama) that I decided to watch the movie. As told by few of my friends, this was one of the best/realistic movies that they ever watched and that it deserved Golden Globe awards and even the Oscar. 

I ended up watching the movie that evening itself and I was thrilled. What a concept !! A slum boy, abusively called, "the Slumdog" goes on to win a huge fortune and also finds his love. What I loved the most about the story was the author's ability to link all the answers he gives to Real-Life incidents. I must say, awesome work Mr Vikas Swaroop..

Great Story, But....

India's one of the fastest developing country which has a history of about two centuries of poverty. Its natural to find slum areas in India. But its really not the way how one would picturize this great country. I seriously felt ashamed of the way India is portrayed. Every element of the movie is true but to what extent? The explicit audacity filmed in the movie is quite an exaggeration if you ask me. 

Had to happen when a British Director comes forward to direct such a movie. Is it bloody possible for a non-Indian to understand the intricacies of Indian way of life. Thats the reason, the movie is so rudely candid and cruel. We've had enough from British for 200 years, physically. I am furious about this mental torture that we're expected to face. Just to quote 1 instance where the protagonist gets beaten up for robbing the foreigners and he audaciously says, "This is India" and that American lady hands him a 100$ note and says, "Son, this is America". I don't know about you but it got on my nerves! I mean, What the hell?? No Indian director would take the movie like that. But again, no Indian director would get the movie "The Oscar Nomination"

Ask yourself a Question :

Is this the story about India you'd want to tell the world?

If your answer is, "I don't care as long as movies based on India end up getting Golden Globe/Oscar", I have no answers for you. 

If you are still open for ideas, I want to inform you that, most of the world, including USA and Europe has a picture of Indians as the snake charmers of Alladin cartoon. They can't just take the fact that a snake charmer's country can do so much of growth and achieve such level in mere 50 years. Rarely Indian movies reach the global audience. Thanks to Karan Johar and Akshay Kumar, Its reaching every corners of the world but the not the foreign crowd. 

This clearly means that the only "Indian Lifestyle" movies that they end up watching is movies like Slumdog Millionaire. Now I'm sure this fact would have pricked you. Those guys, watching the movie probably sleeping happily with a satisfaction that "India is LIKE THAT ONLY"

Guys, India once upon a time used to just export goods, now its exporting CEOs. I was discussing the movie with my friend Rohit. Quoting his words, "Dude, look at us. We're two young guys, going in an AC car to host a Quiz Show at a reputed college and as I drive, I'm speaking to you about the kinds of services we need to include in our Quiz Firm. This is the story you gotta tell the world". Can he be more true?

As an Indian, everyone ought to feel proud when a Music Wizard from our country is about to win an Oscar for one of his best composition. Hats off to A.R. Rahman for his wonderful music. I feel, movies like Roja, Bombay had equally great music (or even better) and equally intense story-line. But it was not Danny Boyle who was the director of Roja, so no international fame. It makes sense right? 

To conclude with, when Slumdog Millionaire got Oscar nominations for Best Movie against Dark Knight and Seven Pounds, I couldn't help but laugh. I am sure, the Oscar committee must have been filled with Indian Fearers.