With lots of hype and publicity –thanks to Golden Globe awards, this movie is running Full-house shows all over India. I am writing this review using my multiple personality (Please do not add ‘disorder’) :)
A Movie-lover
First of all, Kudos to Danny Boyle who has taken a perfect entertainer and a movie that would go for all awards including the Academy awards as well. The transformation of a ‘Slumdog’-Jamal Malik (should I say Slum boy?
Hope none files a lawsuit against me ;)) to a Millionaire is the story and ‘how he does it?’ is the screenplay, which is the best part. The way, the screenplay connects the boy’s day to day experience with each question asked to him in the game show is simply superb. You will never feel bored in this 2.30 hr movie- that’s for sure.
The movie covers everything in India right from Mumbai riots to the child beggars and to call center culture. All the characters in the movie are very well dealt with, even if it’s a small one. The actors have done with ease. The climax does not have bloody stunt sequences or a car chase scene yet it would make you sit on the edge of the seat.
Climax-
Jamal has already got 10 million. This is his ‘20 million rupee’ question.Anil Kapoor (AK) the host-The question is ‘Athos, Porthos are the two names of the famous book ‘Three Musketeers.’ What is the name of the Third musketeer? And gives him the four options.
Jamal smiles. He is reminded of his childhood. His elder brother and himself used to call themselves ’Athos’ and ’Porthos’ respectively and there will be a scene when the little boy would request his elder brother Salim, to join the little girl Latika (heroine) as the third musketeer for which Salim would say
"No I am the eldest and I you must obey what I say. ‘Waise bhi..theesri musketeer ka naam kis saale ko pata hai?" (Who knows the name of the third musketeer?)
Jamal smiles again.
AK-Do you know the answer?
Jamal-Would you believe it? I don’t.
AK-If you answer it correctly you will walk with 20 million rupees and if you don’t you will loose everything.
Jamal-Yes. I play… Chuckles... The crowd cheers him
Jamal-I want to use ‘Phone a friend’ lifeline option (his last)
The phone rings…but none picks..
Anil-Who is this?
Jamal-My bother..
AK-A brother who would go for a walk on your 20 million question?
The crowd laughs…
Jamal- This is the only number I know.
Latika was watching this show eagerly on a road side shop TV even without realizing that Salim’s mobile was with her and it was in the car seat, ringing.She rushes to the car and picks it.
Latika: Hello (time starts..30 sec…29…)
AK-I guess this isn’t your brother…The crowd bursts with laughter again.
AK- Who is this?
Latika-This is Latika
Jamal: after a long pause…Latika…? Is that you?
Latika-Yes…
AK-Question Jamal…Question…
Jamal reads out the question and the four options to Latika..(Time…10..9..)
Jamal- (without even asking her the answer.)..Where are you?
Latika-I am safe
AK-So Latika, do you know the answer?
Latika-No. I have never known..
The crowd boosLatika-Jamal..khuda hamaari……BONG…
The time is over. What happens next? Did Jamal continue and win 20 million rupees or came back with 10 million or NOTHING???? .Watch the movie and enjoy it. :) This scene is just a tip of an iceberg. The movie has more and worth the every cent you pay.
Who can forget AR Rahman’s (Indian hero at the moment) music? The background score, Soundtracks-Paper planes, Gangsta blues, Ringa Ringa are a real treat to the ears. Needless to say about ‘O Saya’ in which ARR himself has lended the voice and Jai Ho, the two Oscar nominated songs are icing on the cake. I wish he brings the first Oscar to India, maybe second and third too. :)
2nd personality – Indian
Though the movie is an excellent movie, as an Indian and a patriot I strongly feel that the movie has portrayed India as a poor, downtrodden, cheating country which is not at all acceptable by me. Be it the scene at the slum where people use unhygienic foods and garbage toilets orA Scene that shows people in India would
- Even jump into shits to see a movie star
2.Scenes that involve Mumbai communal riots and the police would not save kids from the riots
The scene that shows children living in garbage pick garbage to survive.
The scenes in which children are taken away, made blind and made beggars and prostitutes.
Scenes in which guides at Taj Mahal would cheat foreign tourists by telling them a false story.
Scene where a foreign tourist couple would be taken to an isolated area by the boys-guides and their car parts would be stolen and the boy says, “This is India for you’.
Scene where the boy fills a mineral water bottle with tap water and glues it for sale
A call center scene where a customer representative fills his place with a chaaiwala (Jamal) till he comes back from a smoke-break and the chaaiwala attending a customer call.
The scenes involving Mumbai underworld…..
After such a portrayal, what the world would think about my India? Which foreign tourist would love to visit Taj Mahal? Nithya- Yes, its not my alters now .It me. Though my alter-patriot in me raised so many questions, I take a break and think.Are all these things shown in this movie not happening in India?
Unfortunately ‘NO’ is the answer and the fact. It’s all happening and we can’t blame a filmmaker for capturing it with his lens. If we need to make the world feel, India is a much better country, we either should try to eradicate all these from our country or make a film that would depict just India’s positives. The latter can be achieved easily. Ironically, I chose to see this movie just before a day of Republic day of India (26th Jan). L.
For Indians its ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ but for others it’s ‘Indiandog Millionaire’ after all. (Wait…Is my alter taking control of me???) Just to end this in movie’s style... Why should you watch this movie?
A-A very good screenplay
B-Great music by ARR
C-Good acting
D-All of the above.
If you asnwered D-You are right. :)