Slumdog Millionaire - the complete story ?

Nice reviews, lots of appreciation, many BAFTAs, Golden Globes and possibly few Oscars also. Was there something I missed. I do not think so. It is a matter of perspectives.

What I see here is that there are mainly three sets of people. First set consists of those who do not know much about India and the movie serves as an insight into the heart of a famous country. Second set consists of those who are originally Indian and are proud about the fact that there is a movie about India with Indian characters showcased across the world and being appreciated so much. Third set is of people like me who wonder why a movie that represents a dark and small side of India get so much admiration.

I saw the movie and was not particularly impressed by the plot and then later was surprised to see many technical glitches. I will not go in the details as it will make the post painfully long. Slumdog reminded me of a typical Bollywood movie where you do not have to put your brains in all the time. There was nothing that made me feel it was not from Bollywood. Danny Boyle sure can make a career in the Mumbai film industry. Few weeks back I had a discussion with a friend who mentioned how critics can be so biased in favor of sad and cruel depiction of India. That is true. The movie portrayed to be about a kid who wins a game and becomes a millionaire but truly it touches how a kid from slum has to live through communal riots, loss of family and his love. It also makes you wonder about the life on the roads and in slums of India.

Since the first set of people do not know much about India they perceive this to be the real and complete India. What an image change from a country of snake charmers to a country where kids have to survive through the brutalities of life. The image of progressive and emerging India, the IT hub, the strengthening economy goes for a toss. Good place to make a documentary but not a place to visit apart from Goa, of course.

The movie displays a sad and cruel side of India, which may be true but not the only truth. So when people who are not familiar with what happens in India see it they think India is as suffocating as depicted in the movie. But that is not the case this is just a part of India which is not great (something like parts of London where there is lot of mugging and crime). Then Indians especially have the responsibility of telling that slumdog is a small sad part of India and not represents the major country.