'Slumdog Millionaire' - You are everywhere

I had to write about the movie. I can’t escape its ubiquity. A firm favourite for the Oscars now after having gobbled up the Golden Globes, Slumdog Millionaire is a movie in itself.

It is painted on Indian backdrop, and it has unsurprisingly used the chiaroscuro of Indian poverty. It is not news but surely an agitating prop for us righteous Indians. I am ambivalent how to take it. I was struck by the blatant portrayal of Indian poverty and iniquities in the movie but was also helpless not to deny it. My feign sense of Indian emancipation was hit hard, but it only revealed the truth which I already knew and wanted to hide from. So, I won’t be that critical as others have been. Amitabh Bachchan has his views overtly put out, but he too ignores some obvious facts.

But yes, I agree with him on some counts. A cliché – ‘Only Sex and SRK sell in Bollywood’ has its counterpart in Hollywood- ‘Of India, only her poverty and mysticism sell’. Did Indians ever eat monkey-brain? Spielberg never bothered to check this before selling it in ‘Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom’. Even recently, the much appreciated ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ shows many things mystical enough for me to fathom. I can’t hold a feather in desert and be purified by the winds blowing it. Never mind, it worked for the three American brothers and the audience in general. So, I fear there is going to be even more this esoteric Indianness sold in the movies, now that India is more global than ever before. I think India’s male chivalry, feminine beauty, urbane life style, political sanity, military valour etc will have to wait for next century.

In my declamation or rigmarole (whatever you feel) about its Indian connection, I didn’t mention the cinematic aspects of the movie, and it is indeed a shame because the movie ticks almost all the boxes that one can put for a quality movie. Its unique narration, tight story, celebratory exhibition, acute cinematography, good acting and compelling music all lend great finesse to the product. Some of the moments, like the boy jumping in a pool of pooh, the deceitful villain putting oil in a kid’s eyes etc have already attracted much attention and discussion. But what was most remarkable about the movie was its never-to-wither belief in destiny that somehow dots connect in life. Indeed they did connect for the protagonists showcasing a unique celebration of life. The dance routine at the end was unexpected and incongruous, but as already guessed or known by now, it was a tribute to Bollywood. The dancing could have been better, but it seems till now, this type is somewhat mastered by and exclusive to Bollywood actors only.

So, this is all about the movie from me. I am keen to hear from all what they think about it, and in fact, I have already been reading the opinions at different forums. Good Luck to the movie for the Oscars, and hope it wins many more fans in cinema and life alike.