Goosebumps

I finally got around to watching Slumdog Millionaire. A lot has been said and written about the film, so this post is not really a critic of the movie as far as the actors, lighting, music, costumes etc etc go!

Upfront let me state, that I loved the film! The theme of the movie is one which can be identified by everyone world over, not only in India. Not the rags to riches plot as such, but more the lessons learnt as one struggles through life and its various circumstances....

The film has been dragged through the mud in controversies, for usage of the word "Dog" in the title - implying slum dwellers were dogs, but mostly on account of how India was showcased in the film. Let's bite the bullet here folks, all of what was shown was neither false nor exaggerated - be it filling empty mineral bottles with tap water and fevi-qwicking the cap back on or gouging out a child's eyes to 'up' his begging potential!

Minor Sidetrack - I have to admit, being one of the fortunate ones, I honestly had no idea that children were purposely handicapped to make them "better" beggars :( The first question I asked my mom when I came home was, did she know all this happens and how come she never told me!

Awards aside, the movie has also managed to capture the world's interest about a plot which is so intrinsically Indian. So what if it was directed by a gora - does that make the movie any less believable?

I do agree there is definitely more to India than what was portrayed in the film - Diverse culture, people, religion, architecture etc etc. However, there is something which India has lots to offer - and this has been grandly showcased in a very indirect manner, and that is the immense powerhouse of talent within India - the actors, our very own Rahman and of course the behind the scenes technicians! Had you even heard of Resul Pookutty before this?

Personally, I did not think this was Rahman's best...in fact it was no where even close to his best...but what did give me the chills, was when people stayed back long enough for the credits to roll and hoot and cheer and whistle when his name appeared!

Whether you loved it or hated it, there's no denying that this movie has got everyone talking! Even the most pseudo of the lot - Saber Tooth!, who promptly went and bought the audio CD just because it had won so many awards and was nominated for an Oscar! :)