Slumdog
Today, we (me and Dennis and family) watched the popular Oscar nominated Slumdog Millionaire. The only thing lacking in the movie was the company of my wife - who is in India and running around on her last few days of the so called "hectic vacation".
That apart, the film was just fabulous. The theater was full for the 5:50 pm show at AMC theaters, very evident from the fact that it was nominated for the Oscar. The film deserves a 5 star rating and more than a couple of Oscars including the best movie.
Slumdog depicts India in its truest sense; in it's most naked form. Yes, on one hand there are big companies setup in Indian cities, but the slums and poverty live side by side. None of what is shown in the movie about India is exaggerated or dramatized. In fact, I myself have witnessed sad scenes like the municipality personnel carrying the filth of the city in overloaded trucks and handling them with their bare hands. It is indeed very pitiful to see such things and not able to do anything about it. The movie is a perfect portrayal of that not-so-bright side of India - people don't want to always see.
And that is exactly why our politicians feel that Slumdog should be banned as it is causing a bad image/publicity for our country. It does'nt matter what the real situation is - they just don't want India to be seen as what Slumdog depicts. First of all, it is a matter of shame that there are still people in our country living like Slumdogs; however more shameful is that the officials turn a blind eye towards those problems, ignore the realities, but still want the world to see India with rose tinted glasses. India is not necessarily only about slums, but slums are a definite part and parcel of India.
Other than painting the true Indian picture, the film itself has been very well directed and edited. The way the story unfolds is also very good. The flashbacks not only tell us Jamal's background, but cleverly and subtly shows the audience (and the police officers in the movie) how Jamal knows the answers to the tougher questions of the show "who wants to be a millionaire". Acting by everyone has been excellent. I especially liked the potential and talent of the youngest Jamal (Ayush Mahesh Kedkar). A R Rahman has rendered Jai Ho very beautifully (though I should say I didn't get the same kick when I just listened to the song first in musicindiaonline.com; however the effect in a theater was different).
I kept looking around the theater periodically to gather the reaction of the American crowed, and it mostly looked like they were able to understand the position of Jamal as equally as us Indians. Globalization has required a lot of Americans to make frequent trips to India and they have seen the state of affairs first hand and then shared the experiences with the near and dear ones - making them appreciate the movie as much as I did. This was very apparant from the applause that roared in the theater upon the movie's end. It felt good to see the Americans appreciate the true value of the movie.
A couple of minor glitches to the critical eye - i) in India, the show is called "kaun banega karorpati" and not "who wants to be a millionaire" and ii) the show is not telecast live unlike what is shown. But these should be just put aside for the fantastic effect the movie has created.
Slumdog deserves more than one Oscar; definitely for the best movie. I wish it gets it's due.
That apart, the film was just fabulous. The theater was full for the 5:50 pm show at AMC theaters, very evident from the fact that it was nominated for the Oscar. The film deserves a 5 star rating and more than a couple of Oscars including the best movie.
Slumdog depicts India in its truest sense; in it's most naked form. Yes, on one hand there are big companies setup in Indian cities, but the slums and poverty live side by side. None of what is shown in the movie about India is exaggerated or dramatized. In fact, I myself have witnessed sad scenes like the municipality personnel carrying the filth of the city in overloaded trucks and handling them with their bare hands. It is indeed very pitiful to see such things and not able to do anything about it. The movie is a perfect portrayal of that not-so-bright side of India - people don't want to always see.
And that is exactly why our politicians feel that Slumdog should be banned as it is causing a bad image/publicity for our country. It does'nt matter what the real situation is - they just don't want India to be seen as what Slumdog depicts. First of all, it is a matter of shame that there are still people in our country living like Slumdogs; however more shameful is that the officials turn a blind eye towards those problems, ignore the realities, but still want the world to see India with rose tinted glasses. India is not necessarily only about slums, but slums are a definite part and parcel of India.
Other than painting the true Indian picture, the film itself has been very well directed and edited. The way the story unfolds is also very good. The flashbacks not only tell us Jamal's background, but cleverly and subtly shows the audience (and the police officers in the movie) how Jamal knows the answers to the tougher questions of the show "who wants to be a millionaire". Acting by everyone has been excellent. I especially liked the potential and talent of the youngest Jamal (Ayush Mahesh Kedkar). A R Rahman has rendered Jai Ho very beautifully (though I should say I didn't get the same kick when I just listened to the song first in musicindiaonline.com; however the effect in a theater was different).
I kept looking around the theater periodically to gather the reaction of the American crowed, and it mostly looked like they were able to understand the position of Jamal as equally as us Indians. Globalization has required a lot of Americans to make frequent trips to India and they have seen the state of affairs first hand and then shared the experiences with the near and dear ones - making them appreciate the movie as much as I did. This was very apparant from the applause that roared in the theater upon the movie's end. It felt good to see the Americans appreciate the true value of the movie.
A couple of minor glitches to the critical eye - i) in India, the show is called "kaun banega karorpati" and not "who wants to be a millionaire" and ii) the show is not telecast live unlike what is shown. But these should be just put aside for the fantastic effect the movie has created.
Slumdog deserves more than one Oscar; definitely for the best movie. I wish it gets it's due.
posted by Shreyas | 12:27 AM
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