SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE generated big debate for being a movie that romanticises poverty. The movie is primarily Indian. It has an Indian setting, Indian characters and Indian music. The story is based on an Indian novel movie Q & A written by an Indian Vikas Swarup, but directed by a foreigner Danny Boyle. The movie depicts rags-to-riches saga and ultimately achieving the dream honour in total “8 Oscars”. Shot in Dharavi, Asia’s biggest slum. The film is all about the ordinary people in ordinary settings and their day to day life struggles. Indians who survive to live in a so called developing country.
But the film generated a controversy. Some state that it had shown too much of filth and squalor depicting stereotyped Mumbai which in any case is true. Since people always have objections regarding a thing or the other in this world. The film caught up into a problem as such where on one side it is highly appreciated to bagging up the Oscars and on the other hand, as it is directed by a foreigner, it is said, India should not take pride in the run.
When we generalise the views and attitudes of the Indian folks, majority have to say on the negative aspect of the film. How can a film showing out all kinds of poverty ridden activities going on in India, be nominated for an Oscars. What is the criteria…What are the tastes… and What people actually want…?? Hardly one can make out. All the so called great movies like Lagaan (2001), Mother India (1957), Salaam Mumbai (1988) have been made on the weakness and meekness. Achieving international recognition does not make any sense when it is a derogatory remark put to action. The name of the film “Slumdog Millionaire” itself expresses a callous ideology. A person living in a slum will never like to be called as a dog. Everyone has one’s own identity.
And when it comes to winning, none will like the idea of bagging awards with others help. Indians have their own potentials and calibre to build up an acclaimed project on its own. There is no point on should we rely on others for the credit and wait for a recognition as such. India is a rich country with much creativity. It has always been an attraction with regards to many subjects whether that be sports, culture and tradition, delicacies, cuisine, attire etc. Almost everything is much appreciated. Then why beg for certain identifications. Instead, as we have a look on the country’s left out tactics like strengthening the educational policies, poverty and such undeniable problems, there should be immediate actions to stand for the changes.
The movie by a western director grabbed so much attention hope and reputation for the co-stars. The actors including nine-year-old Rubina Ali and 10-year-old Mohammed Azharuddin happen to be the real slum dwellers of Mumbai. Their sudden rise to such reputed award as “Oscars” was like a dream. They were the chief attraction in the award ceremony. But in reality is their fame going to remain constant..! After a while people will forget them, and will be back to their life in gutters, as it happens always..
The film story says about the magic of thinking big. The story of Jamal, a poor Muslim boy from Dharavi who thinks big and dreams big, can be anybody’s story. This is what makes Slumdog Millionaire so successful — cinematically and aesthetically. But another unpleasant turn in criticising the movie is the name ‘Slumdog’ itself. As to why there is the term usage of ‘dog’. The word ‘dog’ is one of the most offending words in Hindi. It is seen by many as an insult. But according to screenwriter Simon Beaufoy’s statement, he did not mean to offend anybody, he just liked the idea and made up the word. And that’s how the film got a name and along with that unbelievable win win news too.
India has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world. Cinema has a special place in the heart of the Indian audience. Forever will the industry flourish in the making of films which will sometimes bring great fame and sometimes hidden truth. But in reality the sincerity and tactfulness can always be appreciated when there are good films without any kind of discrimination and does not provoke insulting thoughts.
But the film generated a controversy. Some state that it had shown too much of filth and squalor depicting stereotyped Mumbai which in any case is true. Since people always have objections regarding a thing or the other in this world. The film caught up into a problem as such where on one side it is highly appreciated to bagging up the Oscars and on the other hand, as it is directed by a foreigner, it is said, India should not take pride in the run.
When we generalise the views and attitudes of the Indian folks, majority have to say on the negative aspect of the film. How can a film showing out all kinds of poverty ridden activities going on in India, be nominated for an Oscars. What is the criteria…What are the tastes… and What people actually want…?? Hardly one can make out. All the so called great movies like Lagaan (2001), Mother India (1957), Salaam Mumbai (1988) have been made on the weakness and meekness. Achieving international recognition does not make any sense when it is a derogatory remark put to action. The name of the film “Slumdog Millionaire” itself expresses a callous ideology. A person living in a slum will never like to be called as a dog. Everyone has one’s own identity.
And when it comes to winning, none will like the idea of bagging awards with others help. Indians have their own potentials and calibre to build up an acclaimed project on its own. There is no point on should we rely on others for the credit and wait for a recognition as such. India is a rich country with much creativity. It has always been an attraction with regards to many subjects whether that be sports, culture and tradition, delicacies, cuisine, attire etc. Almost everything is much appreciated. Then why beg for certain identifications. Instead, as we have a look on the country’s left out tactics like strengthening the educational policies, poverty and such undeniable problems, there should be immediate actions to stand for the changes.
The movie by a western director grabbed so much attention hope and reputation for the co-stars. The actors including nine-year-old Rubina Ali and 10-year-old Mohammed Azharuddin happen to be the real slum dwellers of Mumbai. Their sudden rise to such reputed award as “Oscars” was like a dream. They were the chief attraction in the award ceremony. But in reality is their fame going to remain constant..! After a while people will forget them, and will be back to their life in gutters, as it happens always..
The film story says about the magic of thinking big. The story of Jamal, a poor Muslim boy from Dharavi who thinks big and dreams big, can be anybody’s story. This is what makes Slumdog Millionaire so successful — cinematically and aesthetically. But another unpleasant turn in criticising the movie is the name ‘Slumdog’ itself. As to why there is the term usage of ‘dog’. The word ‘dog’ is one of the most offending words in Hindi. It is seen by many as an insult. But according to screenwriter Simon Beaufoy’s statement, he did not mean to offend anybody, he just liked the idea and made up the word. And that’s how the film got a name and along with that unbelievable win win news too.
India has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world. Cinema has a special place in the heart of the Indian audience. Forever will the industry flourish in the making of films which will sometimes bring great fame and sometimes hidden truth. But in reality the sincerity and tactfulness can always be appreciated when there are good films without any kind of discrimination and does not provoke insulting thoughts.
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