Slumdog Millionaire - Making Millions out of Poverty

February 24, 2009
Mangalore

As I begin this article, I am still reeling under all the glitz and glory that Slumdog Millionaire created at the Oscars. The news channels are having a field day, and suddenly India is no more the under‘dog’ of the international film community. No doubt, the achievements of A R Rehman and Rasul Pookutty can never be applauded enough and it is a proud moment for all Indians to be recognised at the world stage, but are we missing the deeper meaning of it all amidst the glamour?

The question whether the movie is India’s pride or her shame has been debated a million times (though now the movie has suddenly taken a place of pride for many who had criticised it). Therefore I shall not go in to this question. Movies and books that display India in a despicable light disgust me to the extent that I become indignant and angry. You might say I do not want to face the truth, but the question is not of truth or lie, but of the fact that a country that was to the West a land of elephants, colours, temples and the Taj Mahal is now become a land of dirt and slime, and what is worse, we shameless Indians are proud of being applauded for it.

If someone were to ask me the formula for success these days, I would say making a movie or writing a book showcasing India in the worst light possible is a sure-fire method. Next thing you know, you would be delivering the thank-you speech at the Booker or the Oscar awards, thanking the world for appreciating India’s dirt and poverty.

What prompted me to write this was just one moment at the Oscars – the producer, Christian Colson acknowledging the award for the Best Film. The entire Indian crew stood all smiles right behind him, while he made the speech. True, as the producer, it was his right to speak but it was the order in which they stood that drew my attention. It was one white man, standing in front of more than ten brown men, as if he were leading them while they politely followed. What struck me about this scene was the way it represented the hegemony of the white man over the coloured man. It spoke a thousand words of the years and years of cultural and intellectual dominance we have been under.

Another question that has often sprung up in the last many days is whether the movie would have enjoyed the same applause if it had been made by an Indian and if it had shown the brighter side of India. Firstly, it is an undeniable fact that an American making a movie with an Indian crew would receive much more attention and hype in the world media than an Indian doing so. Secondly, the dirt and grime and the poverty of India is something that has always fascinated the ‘clean’ and ‘correct’ West. And thirdly, this grime, dirt and poverty attains importance and truth only when a Westerner shows it, for as Edward Said, a great thinker and humanist, says in his monumental work Orientalism, the white man is always right in the eyes of the colonised as well as the coloniser. In other words, no matter how many movies Madhur Bhandarkar makes on the social problems of India, it needs only one from a white man to create the Tsunami.

Now before I am accused of cynicism, let me tell you that there are things that this movie has done that transcend far beyond the mere surface of it being a good (or bad) movie. For one, Bollywood has long been denied the international acclaim that it deserves for some of the landmark movies, actors, directors and technicians that it has produced. This movie is a bridge, a conjoiner between the East and the West. A production that has a blend of Hollywood and Bollywood talents winning on the international stage would go a long way in enabling an amalgamation between the two sides of the movie world. It speaks of the need to create a mutual platform between India and the US as far as entertainment is concerned. The technology of the West and the resources of the East together with talents of both can create wonders for the progress of the entertainment industry. People like A R Rehman and David Boyle have shown a glimpse of this magic already.

However, though it may sound as if I am contradicting myself, I am not. All this I say leaving aside the some of the content of the movie presently under debate. For, a movie does not need grime and dirt alone to succeed; and surely, stories of poverty can be told even without such ingredients. Those who have watched some of the earliest movies of Amitabh Bachchan would agree with me – movies like Coolie and Deewar too showed poverty and rags-to-riches story minus the slime, and their effect on the Indian audience is something that continues to this day.

Black or brown is as beautiful as the white. The inherent servile attitude of the Indians and the ‘greater than thou’ attitude of the West must be got rid of. This is something that cannot be achieved overnight, given the hundreds of years of history behind those attitudes. And though the start was made many movies before Slumdog Millionaire in terms of technology and talent, the discrimination in terms of response still continues. Indians do not like the film but the west loves it and both for the same reason.

But all said and done, let us not forget to applaud Rehman and Pookutty for their wonderful achievement, for they won for their music and talent, not for making the film. There is no doubt that Rehman had this award long in waiting. Had the Oscar jury listened to his tracks in Indian films like Bombay and Roja and other movies that did not make it to the Oscars, they would have probably regretted taking so long to recognise his unmatched talent.

Also Read:

by Anisa Fathima
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Comment on this article

  • Ronnie Almeida, Brahmavar

    Sat, May 02 2009

    Ms. Nargis Dutt acused Satyajit Ray of only exibiting India''s poverty in his films. It is the duty of an artist to hold up a mirror to society, not just create cheap entertainment like Bollywood. Why are we Indians so ashamed? And if we are, why don''t we do something about this country being one of the filthiest, most corrupt, disorganised and dishonest in the world? Ours is a ''so called'' democracy so why do we blame others?

  • Jan Mariam, Mumbai

    Tue, Mar 31 2009

    I’m an NRI and a lover of stories from all over the world. Some stories are about poor people, some stories are about rich people, some stories are realistic and others are utter fantasy. I thought Slumdog Millionaire was thoroughly entertaining, inspiring…and fictional. I wouldn’t use such an obvious fantasy to make broad assumptions about an entire country! We have poverty and violence here in the United States, too such injustice is not unique to India.

    To me this story is not about the whole country but an individual for the slums made big by wining the show and over coming whatever obstacle if let say the movie scene where not shot in India but US or UK it would mean the same because poverty is everywhere even in the UK people are suffering, but this story is about human spirit and triumph.

  • Naveen Shetty, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 01 2009

    I loved the movie and found nothing wrong in its contents. It deserves the awards and lurels which it has won. I have small observation to make here. Our own 'Mangalorean' Frieda Pinto has set a wrong precedence to the entire youth by ending all her ties with her long term boyfriend and live-in partner Rohan Antao. And the success of the movie has gone to her head and she has lost her thinking cap among the paparazzi and glamour.

  • Noel F Lewis, Kinnigoli(mini dubai)

    Fri, Feb 27 2009

    Anisa,i just want to say only one sentence to you and everyone 'NEVER CRITICIZE OTHERS' SUCCESS'

  • Prinson D'Lima, Barkur

    Sat, Feb 28 2009

    For the writer, the picture shows that a white man is leading so many browm men.... But to me the picture tells that the brown men are supporting the white man to win a trophy. Without their support, white man ( the producer of the film) would have not won such a prestigious award... It depends upon person to person how he or she wants to percieve...

  • David Lobo, Mangalore/ Canada

    Sat, Feb 28 2009

    If Danny Boyle has taken home Oscars because he exploited India’s poor, then it is the same as saying that Mother Teresa is famous the world over and is on the path to saint hood because she exploited India’s poor by coming here from Albania and helped them and brought out their plight to India and also to the whole world. It is because of people like Mother Teresa, Danny Boyle and many other westerners that the poor in India get help. If not for the Jesuits, there would be no St. Aloysius High School and College and Mangaloreans would not be educated and in high positions like they are today. So my dear friends we need to be grateful to the British and to all the foreigners who have helped us to realize our shortcomings. It is true that the British did horrible things to Indians and also exploited us racially, but their contribution to India in terms of education, Science and Technology, elimination of Sati and other social evils is what we should be thanking them for. We should be moving forward and not be wallowing in the past and making a big deal of past crimes by pulling out the race card like some people in the world do to get unwanted attention.

  • gilbert dsouza, mlore/israel

    Sat, Feb 28 2009

    Hey Anisa. I agree with you but people have different points of view. Take for example the beautiful lotus flower. It grows in filthy areas.  So we indian should be proud of the Oscar.

  • Manohar Dsouza, Mangalore/Bahrain

    Fri, Feb 27 2009

    Much of the criticism of this beautiful movie appears to be just because none of the Bollywood biggies were involved in this film. Some of the bollywood stars and star struck followers are unable to digest the success achieved by a rookie underdog cast and have unleashed a malicious criticism campaign. If Amitabh or SRK had acted in this movie then even the strongest critics here would have gone ga ga. Like Jane Tauro says - I too wish that we could be open, as broad minded and as down to earth as people from the west. We are broad minded but in a very narrow way and most of us would like to continue to be frogs in the well. If you hold your heads high and deal with whites on an equal footing they will treat you with respect and at par. However, if you yourself choose to bow your head down and be an underdog then you will be treated as one. Finally all my colleagues and friends in the west have said that this is a very beautiful movie and that their image of India has been further enhanced despite the slums. We are not ashamed and embarrassed of the slums and poverty in India – we get ashamed only when someone makes us and everyone aware of these slums. Let us all appreciate and celebrate the success of this film and the success of the incredible young artistes which bollywood could not achieve since donkey years.

  • juliana, udupi

    Fri, Feb 27 2009

    Winning is good. Projection of poverty is becoming popular now. Others suffering is a source of entertainment.

  • Jane Tauro, Mangalore, U.S.A

    Fri, Feb 27 2009

    The ‘greater than thou’ attitude of the West must be got rid of' - I totally disagree with this statement . I wish we Indians were as open, as broad minded and as down to earth as people from west. It is our wrong perception about lot of things in the west that is stopping us from exploring the world around and trying to adopt the good!

  • Anil, Bangalore

    Fri, Feb 27 2009

    Anisa Fathima...this time I fail to agree with you. After all this movie is based on a novel written by an Indian. If the Producer and Director were British and leading the brown men...........so what??? The star cast was Indian, so it had to be brown. When Shekhar Kapur, a brown man led a white star cast in the making of Elizabeth...........what do you say to that????? If you want to criticize, do it with substance not nitpicking.

  • A.D'Cunha Shenoy, Mangaluru

    Fri, Feb 27 2009

    Dear Anisha, . Your comments are truthful and is is a fact that this movie got its fame because it was made by the Westerners- the White domain. It was a sheer dramatised and over kill and insulting to say the least. Can they potray slums- roadside people living under the bridges and shanties that exist in US, UK, Italy and Canada? There are many overseas Indians in the west like Nair, Mehta and so on make some movies potraying Indians and the culture in bad taste and these are watched by the Westerners only to downgrade India.

  • vinod lewis, upoor / bahrain

    Fri, Feb 27 2009

    It is an intelligent movie which unfortunately ,many of our Indians have misunderstood. Lets hope that some Bollywood director will remake this movie with some item numbers shot in US with "Ghori's" to make these people understand the movie.

  • abdul saheed, bombay

    Thu, Feb 26 2009

    Its an opportunity for the indian authorities to change the slums and give the slumdogs a better place to live since they deserve it just like anybody else.

  • Rajesh, Mangalore\KSA

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Looks like Anisa Fathima is a typical Indian girl who loves to see serials like saas bahu and who likes to see boy running behind girl (in beautiful places) and one day commit suicide for love and waste time and whole life. Now you have written such a wonderful article you have to check the criteria for nomination for Oscar award and criteria for nomination for a film for any award in India and find out who is following the rules. SMD is not a movie that can be made so easily. You have to see that movie and hear sound again. There are lots of things (not just getting millions) put into that movie about reality in India in a very short length and not just masala songs and religion. Humm looks like you are a mouthpiece for some political party. Time to move out and meet some people from different nations and also compare some places under Indian (brown) rule and WHITE rule. Still after 60 years of Independence our people blaming British for our present poor condition. What good have we done for the nation????

  • Ali, Pune

    Fri, Feb 27 2009

    Slumdog movie is a message to Mumbai politicians and Shiv Sena. They always says amchi mumbai to get the votes but they did nothing for Mumbai. Danny has shown the correct picture of Mumbai, and the Truth is Truth you can't run away from that.

  • David Lobo, Mangalore/ Canada

    Thu, Feb 26 2009

    Dear Anisa and others, I have read through your article and comments. I do agree with some points about foreigners making use of India’s shame to make money. However, what is portrayed in the movie were not lies, but the naked truth. If it were directed by Indian directors, I do not think the truth would be shown in the movie. However, the movie would probably have taken place in America, Canada or maybe in Europe. The whole plot of the book written by an Indian author would have been changed to suit the Indian image of land of elephants, tigers and maharajas. The present movie also did not conform to the book since there was no love story, but it did bring out the reality of millions of people living in India. For those who say that the British ruined India, they are wrong. They are the ones who founded the Archeological survey of India and helped restore many monuments and places like Ajanta caves, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Because of their intent on preserving these monuments, we have them for future generations to see. I do not think that Indians would have given any thought on preserving these monuments. It is easy for Amtitab Bachan to criticize the movie. He lives in a nice house and has millions to spend. He did work hard for it. He is a hypocrite if he does not want the truth to be told. Even the mother of one of the child actors who is a slum dweller says that people the world over should know about their situation. Just by sugar coating everything will not help these people. It is high time that westerners realize that India is not a land of tigers and elephants, call centers and ashrams but a place where more than 75% of its population live in abject poverty among garbage, dogs and rodents. So dear people it is true that Danny Boyle made millions and A.R Rehman and pookutty have won Oscars by exploiting the shame of India, but they told the truth and have done a good job using their talents. Instead of mocking them, please try and help these slum dwellers to have a decent life. It may take 100 years to do so, but there must be a starting point.

  • Prashanth, USA

    Thu, Feb 26 2009

    Slumdog M.. is a movie,an artist's creation, not a statement or an opinion! You critics need to get a life!These conspiracy theories, the white man bashing etc is so juvenile and ridiculous.An artist has been recognised for his work and let us give him credit.Are we going to reject a foreign degree, a Nobel prize tomorrow just because of a white man? Have we lost our mind?

  • A.D'Cunha Shenoy, Mangaluru

    Thu, Feb 26 2009

    Dear Anisha, your article is an excellent point of view of this Oscar catcher. Indeed a land of snake charmers now a land of Oscars? Wait a minute. Not yet. Is this a success story or a cleverly pictured and thought of potrayal of a land and a city that dwells in so called slums. Slums indeed for a affluent but it is a household for the dweller and perhaps mortgage free. We live in a society that borrows and is debt ridden but still lives in mansions and flats and certainly considers them Rich but are they? Slums, as they are called, no doubt largely potray India around the world. What came out of this movie was "Even slum dwelling children are brilliant and although they have no much education, displayed an immense confidence and stature when they were on Oscar stage". That is an achievement itself for the downtrodden. Where do Hollywood stars fit in? While the world considers and dipicts India is a poor country, a coolie land, a cheap outsourcing destination, a back-end office for international conglomorates ours is a land rich and giving and living on our terms, on our own standards whether slums or manions, it really does not matter. What matters is, the world is now aware the potential of our people and indeed we indians should be proud of but not taken advantage of. Of course there are downsides and then again do we care? No, we know who we are. It really does not matter what the world think of us. We are free people. Our land is mystic. Our people are resilient. And we are the only people in the world who are happy go lucky despite the conditions that exist for many of our people. Jai ho India.

  • martin, UAE

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Slumdog Millionaire - has made us proud by winning the oscars. Why are we ashamed to face the facts that what has been portrayed in the movie is reality and not the usual dancing around. I would say this is an eye opener to us Indians and reminding us what best we could do for the poverty around us. Instead of criticising let us make India a better place. Let us not waste time writing bad about the movie.

  • Kiran, Mangalore\UAE

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Anisa Fathima I don’t agree with you ok. Can the Bachans or the Kapoors think outside their family and give opportunity for others to come up to show their talents. This happens not only in film industry but each and everywhere in India. Just watch all the movies of Bollywood and check which award is given to which movie by film society. At least Danny has shown that slum kids are more talented than our great Bollywood Stars. Can you think of making a movie with slum dwellers?? You are free to go anywhere and make a movie no one stops you (except senas). If you don’t like movie of slums of India then why are the slums in India? If good planning is done with out corruption each and every thing will be better. Don’t think that life is easy in other countries….. It is made better by each and everyone by thinking in a positive way.

  • Denzil Machado, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Dear Anisa, lets take this movie as an inspiration for the young Indian generation to come...this Oscar would certainly spawn many Rehamans in future and hopefully many Indian 'Boyles'...finally your article has made many to think...

  • Denzil Machado, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Dear Anisa, lets take this movie as an inspiration for the young Indian generation to come...this Oscar would certainly spawn many Rehamans in future and hopefully many Indian 'Boyles'...finally your article has made many to think...

  • Hisham Ahmed, Jeddah KSA

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Since last centure India has produced more hundred thousand movies and among all SMD is winner wait 100years for Oscars? There were so many good movies in almost all languages. In hindi Chakra(Shah), Ardhsatya (Ompuri), Sholay Best supporting actor and Taare Zameen Par great movies, direction and acting. I agree with Aneesa because only those films recognized where Goras involved. Anyways may be we are not good in promting our films to Oscar juries.

  • Ajay, Mangalore/USA

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Finally someone makes a international caliber movie that depicts the reality of the struggle of the urban poor in their destitute poverty in the slums and all we have to say is racism! Looks like we want the poor to be ignored and pretend they do not exist in our midst. This is a very well made movie, fast, well edited, excellent technical skills in terms of both camera work, direction and sound. It depicted hope and determination in the midst of destitute poverty. This is not our typical escapist Hindi movie, it depicts the reality of slum life in Dharavi.

    Why are we so ashamed ? There is a saying in english - 'No one can insult you without your consent' So if we want to see the race and skin color of everyone we deal with and want to imagine racism then the problem is in our mind. Danny Boyle has made a great movie, and shown the movie Industry of India that great movies can be made with realistic Indian themes without resorting to melodrama and hyperbole.

    People used to say the same about the legend Satyajit Ray, that he depicts poverty in India in his movies. He always retorted back that he depicted reality. We need to be ashamed that we have slums in India with close to 40% of the population living there, rather than letting our sensibilities being flustered that someone made a movie that showed the reality of slum life. I wish there where more movies that depicted the reality in India instead of the deluded movies that the Hindi film world makes.

  • Prachanda Rao, Udupi

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Thanks Anisa for a very good article. As a fan of the great Amitabh Bachchan I hated the portrayal of the Quizmaster, Anil Kapoor, in the movie. It was vulgar and had an open ulterior motive to show Indians and their icons as inhuman. When Amitabh conducted KBC one thing which stood out was the way he was emphathetic towards the contestants and the kind of compassion and rapport this legendary star established with the common people. Many of these contestants were from lower middle class and poor backgrounds.

    Nowhere did he taunt them as Anil Kapoor does in the move. There were several instances where Amitabh warned through subtle hints when contestants were in the risk of losing money. But in Slumdog the Quizmaster plays the villain. The audience also are made villains when they laugh at the slum boy. I have seen Indian TV shows where the audience get emotional when they see truimph over suffering and poverty. But slumdog tries to dehumanize indians. Most western audience will stick to this opinion on Indians especially the Indian middle class.

    There is another direct instance where the American Tourists give the taste of american charity to the slumdogs. This is a mischevious movie created with the sole purpose of devaluing Indians in general and the indian city dwelling middle class in particular. Only the western controlled english media is going ga ga over this slumdog.

  • Ms. J. Fernandes, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Dear Anisa, Nice article but a bit too sentimental. I think we need to get real. We spit, shit and urinate on our roads but when outsiders point it out we take offence. Let this movie be an eye opener for us and inspire us to keep our country clean. we make digs at foreigners all the time in our Bollywood movies but dont like it when we are at the receiving end - isn't that double standards. Your article makes a descrimination between white and brown but isn't there descrimination in India even in our so called Bollywood? As for Danny Boyle winning the oscars because he is a white man, you should know that he is British and where Hollywood is concerned he is as much an underdog. So lets get real and rejoice that our very own countrymen A.R.Rehman and Pookutty not forgetting Mr. Gulzar have got recognition thru Danny Boyle's movie and lets not forget that the storyline was not Danny Boyle's but was adapted from a book written by and Indian!

  • vinay, Mangalore/USA

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Typical indian attitude. If you start living abroad a few years you really know the western point of view. You should start accepting the truth and stop cribbling.. Indians need westerners to open their eyes...

  • Kay,

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Very good article Anisa well written and you just said what I was trying to explain to a few people about the movie. You just put my thoughts down and I congratulate you for it.

  • Alexander, Mangalore/Melbourne

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Last time when I went to Bombay, I saw our Blacks/Browns pulling white tourists towards them and taking photos with them, and these Whites were too willing to pose for the photos with wonderful (fake) smile on their faces. We blacks or browns still think White is good and great whereas we blacks and browns are low. As long as we think ourselves lower to whites, we will have someone make millions out of poverty. Great article Anisha.

  • L L Rego, Bajpe

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Dear Anisa it is a great award and honor for india won by u r efforts and shine india. congratulation to the team thanks.

  • Walter , Bajpe/BOSTON USA

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    Dear Anisa, your article merits understanding of what Indians in US have seen from 1968 till now. The US Congress passed the Civil Rights Act in 1964, that allowed Indians to immigrate to USA in 1968. From 1968 till today, US has come a long way, and for the first time in the history of US, Indians have contributed to the success of US, and now they are able to place Bombay on the centre of the stage of Hollywood. I agree with the pitfalls, but, we have made progress and connected India and US not only with internet, but now with movie culture.

    That is an achievement, we all should be proud of regardless slums of India, or brown or the white color of the people. There are slums in New York, LA and other places like in India. These 8 Oscars represents to the people of India and people of Indian origin in US in the integration of our two cultures and the advances that we have made to connect and understand each other removing the barriers of segregation.

    As I witnessed these children from the Bombay slums excited with the Oscars, I saw nothing but our future generation some day would climb the steps of US Capitol Hill or the White House because that is how we make progress, inch by inch. India secured Independence from the British in 1947, whereas USA secured independence from the British in 1776. The progress India made in 60 years or so is remarkable compared to the progress USA made in 230 years.

    Indians must take pride in the progress they made. Bollywood, for all the best movies and stories and drams, did not penetrate into the US culture whereas the current contemporaneous movie slumdog did. We are now no different or no less than the white (in your words) people. Slumdog Millionaire movie placed India on the center of the Hollywood stage. Let us take pride in this achievement.

  • sharan , kalladka

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    3 cheers to Ms Anisa!! sachai hamesha kadva hota hai!!realise it from so many comments. well written article thanks to daijiworld

  • Manohar Dsouza, Mangalore/Bahrain

    Wed, Feb 25 2009

    This is a very beautiful film and the honesty, humour and liveliness of the script and the actors is very appealing. I as an Indian am very proud of this film and its remarkable achievements. I only hope that this will encourage our young talented artistes to make more such realistic films. Unfortunately poverty, slums and illiteracy are a part of our system which we cannot ignore by putting our heads in the sand. The ability of a nation to look at its own faults, rather than burying them under the carpet, is a sign of maturity.

  • Clevy, Mumbai

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Please dont get me wrong but the earlier Hindi movies (may they be of Amitabh or any other actor) never used to depict reality. It always would be the same formula for every movie viz. lost & found, crime never pays or vendetta movies etc. It was just in the past five years or so that we are getting to watch some wonderful Hindi movies like Lagaan,A Wednesday, Mumbai Meri Jaan, Dasvidanya, Life in a Metro etc. Madhur Bhandarkar's movies are nice but he should not make them more dramatic like he has done in Fashion etc. it is over hyped. I have always loved Malyalam movies for that matter as they depict more reality. We dont need Westerners to teach us the art of film making but we certainly need to change the movies we make in Bollywood to cater to mature audiences all over the world

  • Sarita D'Souza, Bondel / Kuwait

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    More than the article, it was the comments that were more exiting. The film probably was made and directed by a Foreigner buts lets face realility. This is a part of India which we cannot hide from the world. For the ignorant ones this film was based on a book written by a part-time writer - Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup, who made the best use of his free evenings to come up with the book "Q & A".

  • Vinay K M , Not Important

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Poverty exists even in not as rich like Indian countries but the point is does anybody in India though of its gloried poverty sold like hot cakes abroad! The time is set for the resisting audience to intervene on behalf of the director not minding to say this is good and bad ? Who are we to question the abstract complex reality of poverty what difference will it make on the ministers sitting in the house and making enjoying the badge of shame sold abroad and say finally we have made it to the Oscars this time ! How foolish are we in depicting ourselves badly One thing to say is that the blame also do not rest with Indians alone but with the entire project of colonization that distorts our mythical tradition our tradition as if somebody has broken the track in invisible darkness we live only we live not matter the discomfort of tragic circumstances we have no time for that life that can be anything in India! Thanks for letting me share Vinay

  • Deepesh Rajan, Udupi - Abu Dhabi

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Great!! One more good reason for our leaders NOT TO start any development projects to improve our country as the World loves to see India in a state of poverty & Slum.

  • Abdul, Dubai / Mangalore.

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Lets not Criticize on what is shown in the movie. Appriciate the possitive from the movie.

  • Prameela Pandit, Canada

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Dear Anisha,your article was excellent and oscar award should have been given to you.Its really rocking,keep going all the best.

  • Gurubaliga, Bantwal/New Delhi

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

     Another question that has often sprung up in the last many days is whether the movie would have enjoyed the same applause if it had been made by an Indian.  Anisa, I would like to remind you Shekhar Kapoor and Manoj Night Shyamalan.

  • sameer , america

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    I completely disagree with your Article.

  • Abraham Coutinho, Mundkur/Bombay

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Whenever a city is developing with trade and commerce, factories and construction activities, the people are needed for it. So the poor people came as labourers to build the buildings but they were not given flats to live in. They lived nearby in shanties/slums. Slums are there by the side of big cities every where. This Film is shot in such location. It is liked by the juries and is awarded. Nobody likes the film most which is not close to reality or is truth. Can you find a slum or tinned roops or sacks house in desert? Say in Gulf countries? No. Because the climate there is extreme - too hot & too cold. So is the case in north pole of the earth- freezing. Whereas the climate of Bombay is neither too hot nor is it too cold. It is balanced. For a human being to live in, a roof is needed over his head, no matter made of what. It is built and people live in it. That is the slum and the reality from which location a Story called Slumdog... is made. No question of showing Bombay or India in poor light or insulting. How can you negate what is existing?

  • Helen , Kuwait/ Mumbai / Neeruda

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    We hope Ms Anisa What you have pen down is absolutely right, but hope our polite leader's would just sit and ponder by visualize the movie and try there best to improve the area so that we can really be proud of the success by Oscar award for 'Slumdog' GOD BLESS ALL AMEN.

  • Anand, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    You are overanalyzing the awards. First all the movie was made with $15 million dollars, which is a small budget for American/British films. I don't think Indian producers have that kind of money to shell out. Since even the most high budgeted movies such has Gajini cost $10.00 million dollars to make. Light weight digital cameras were used which in India has to see light of the day. About white men leading brown men. Have you seen past Oscars, when a movie wins best picture only the producer speaks, Since he took great effort to acquire the money to create the movie and it has nothing to do with White leading Brown. Everyone seems to have forgotten it is Shekar Kapur movie about Elizabeth help Cate Blancehtt win Oscar. Here is an example of Brown man leading British. Why haven't you mentioned that. Finally about westerns looking to third world countries as dirt and slime. We Indians also have stereotypes about Westerners that no one can clear. For example, Indians have the perception white women are easy and all of them smoke and drink and is depicted in most Bollywood movies. I am tired of people not crediting the achievement of fellow Indians and rather start nit picking. Congratulations once again to Team SlumDog millionaire.

  • Josephine, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Dear Anisa, it is true what you say that Indians allow themselves to be culturally and intellectually dominated by the 'white man', even though we are superior in both respects, and on equal footing in others. This ‘servile’ attitude fans the flames of their ‘greater than thou’ attitude towards Asia. The Indian film industry churns out more films in a year than Hollywood. But most, barring a few, of the Indian films are not entertaining or educational or biographical.

    The song/dance/violence/boy-meets-girl themes have been dead horses for quite some time now, yet the show still goes on along these lines in Indian cinema. A prime example of Indians following the ‘white man’ is the name ‘Bollywood’ which even many Indian so-called patriots blindly use. Veteran and iconic Indian actors Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri consider this word totally derogatory and humiliating. As Javed Aktar says, “I think there is an element of contempt or cynicism in it (the word 'Bollywood').

    The Indian film industry has its own identity and following all around. It is undermining the Indian film industry's dignity.” We have so many languages and dialects in India. Films and TV serials are made in various lingos here, yet we do not have enough self-respect to come up with a word to describe this colossal industry and have to ape the one that the Western media has coined to refer to Indian cinema.

  • Sujith, Kaup, Udupi district

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    An excellent article and I agree with your points - Keep continue the work - All the best

  • Rosita Lewis, Mangalore/Uppoor/Kuwait

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    With due to respect to all the comments read below, there's one fact for sure, and that is, we Indians 'in general' have no sense of cleanliness. Spitting, spilling dirt & human waste where people tread are all a part of our peoples daily life. One can say that India is over-populated and hence cannot keep clean is all crap. To be or not to be hygiene is an individual choice/decision. As the saying goes -'Guilty conscience pricks the mind' - this movie-slumdog millionaire has revealed India's 'DUST UNDER THE RUG' and that is pricking us so badly that we are pointing fingers at the makers of this film for portraying a 'filthy' India.

    Probably, it was not their intention to defame India, but the concept 'rags to riches' drew them to India, as the truth lies right there. Alas! 'Truth is bitter', after all. Very true - India is shining in various fields, but not enough or nothing at all in the cleanliness department. We are happy when the world hails India, but angry when India is defamed. With a true conscience we should face the truth that India does need to 'have a bath' daily. With India progressing, it draws other countries to visit our country for various purposes.

    The world outside admires India's rich culture and traditions, but it is this unhygienic conditions in India that is disgusting to outsiders visiting our country, added to that our corrupt politicians. I hope this movie is a message to us Indians to be clean, keep India clean, starting with our little home, whether it is a tin-shed or a mansion, and turn our nation into a hot-spot tourist attraction for all the good reasons. You never know, we shall then have Hollywood shooting their movies in picturesque India and our own Bollywood dancing on our 'clean' streets!

  • richy, Kaup / Dubai

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    We Indians can copy outside stories and reality shows, no one says a word, When a foreign director says the truth and wins we Indians can't digest, the point is the Indian Director would not have been able to do the film so professionally, and the slum children would not have been paid and taken care of the way they have done, and all three Indian, whether AR Rehaman, Anil Kapoor or Kutty are very down to earth humble but over talented in their own field, and in bollywood, more then talent SHOW OFF attitude sells, if some Khan or Bachan was invovled a huge procession of family/friends would have been showcased and things would have been shown in a different way, now with these over talented simple personalites getting fame for which they rightly deserve, we Indians JUST CANT DIGEST, sorry guys its too little too late.  

    Hats off to AR Rehaman and his group, no one deserves this fame then you guys, enjoy this is a life time success other Bolloywood guys must be just dreaming, Congrats.

  • Dinesha P, Falnir,Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Dear Mr.Ishan, mangalore / KSA, I completely agree with your coments that was really touching,appreciate you.

  • Dinesha P, Falnir,Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Dear Mr.Ishan, mangalore / KSA, i completely agree wit your comentz that was really touching,appreciate you.

  • Damodhar Kini, Balamata Manglore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Mr. Ishan, mangalore / KSA, I completly agree with your comments and that is true.People those who are uneducated wont understand whatz happening here,but you just highlighted that fact very clearly.Appreciate you.

  • Glen, Dubai

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Anisa there's a wast majority of people who will agree with you and a small minority who will like this movie. But we are missing something here Movies directed by bollywood directors do get nominated for Oscar's only on the best foreign film category. SDM is a Hollywood film that's the only reason they had the recognition. (Bandit queen by Shekhan Kapoor would have got nominated any may be even won some awards if the Govt. of India had not intervened). Bobby Bedi yesterday on a News Channel rightly said if you think one of the bollywood movie's will win a Oscar that will not happen for the next 100 years cos Bollywood movie is not a Hollywood Movie.

  • Riyaz ahmed, Bajpe / Muscat

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    A R Rahman signifies consciousness that is Universal. The modesty with which he has received his award and how he dedicated to his Mom is a shining example. May the Universal life force support him in all his future endeavours. Let us take the best that is A R Rahman which are simplicity, honesty, dedication, detachment and humility. In this ego satiated world, he stands as a shining example that humble souls can make it to the very top

  • Olinda, Abu Dhabi

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Dear Anisa, Hats of to you!! An excellent article and I fully agree with you - it takes a white man to get us these awards when in India we have much more potential talent that goes unreconized. Kudos to Rahman and Pookutty though for an excellent contribution!!!! Olinda

  • Clive, Mangalore/ Kuwait

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Brilliant article Anisa, i would truely agree that there are much better movies made in india than "Slumdog Millionair". Slumdog is a runaway success only because it depicts india in the way the westerners want to see it. India is not the only country with the problems of Slums and Poverty. Final outcome of the movie is that some foreigner filled his pockets at the cost of India's pride and dignity. The question is would the movie be as successful if it was based on some other country than india.

  • Smitha Mascarenhas, Mangalore/Dubai

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Very good article by Anisa. The same kind of thought was going on in my mind whenever I was watching the trailers of "Slumdog Millianaire" on TV for the past 2 months. For many years now, the perception of westeners about India has been a sort of "exotic" country of snake-charmers, cows moving on the busy road along with other vehicles, slums, poverty and many movies have been made by western-based directors on this aspect of India (when I say this, please think of Meera Nair also among them). Most of such movies have been made keeping Oscar awards in mind. One more thing is whenever an International flight lands at Mumbai Sahar Airport what is the sight you get to see out of the window? Vast expanse of slums starting right from the compound wall of the airport, the stale smell of gutters,mosquitoes hovering around you, airport staff everwhere demanding dirhams/dollars from you (forget about service...). So this is the first impression to whichever foreigner visiting India. Mind it...the above things you can experience right inside the airport. Once you get out of it, the outside story is...greedy taxi drivers, haphazard traffic, high rises on one side of the road followed by slums behind them. So I wonder if this inspires western-based directors to make a movie on India's worst face? On one side our India is shining in business, education, cultural diversity, tourist places, resources, beautiful people & hospitality. Even many of most richest men in the world happen to be Indians. On the other side of India, there are people living in poor condions, lack of basic necessities like food, shelter, water, lack of access to medical, educational facilities, religious fanatics who don't think twice before killing their own compatriots in the name of religion, corruption, unemployment, dirty politics...the list goes on endlessly. So India is becoming a mixture of extreme good, at the same time bad elements creating shadow over the good. When 26/11 attack happened in Mumbai, there were interesting debates going on in TV. What surprised me was they showed eminent people like Shobha De', top models, etc mourned for the damage that happened to the heritage hotel Taj because they used to frequent it for parties, coffee shops etc. - but didn't mention a word of sorrow for the poor people who were killed in the CST Station or roads by those terrorists. So when this kind of indifference is there in the minds of us Indians about good & bad of India, is it really fair to criticise if western directors make such "realistic", "hard-hitting", pot-boiler movies about India. There is a programme on Channel [V] India conducted by VJ Lola Kutty who goes around different parts of country and interviews people, asks General Knowledge questions (eg: President of India, colours in Indian flag, and other basic things which every Indian is supposed to know) and it is shocking to see that most of the junta which can answer questions on movies & other gossips do not

  • Eric Coelho, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Slums came into existence after Independence. This explains the Failure of the Leaders of India after Independence. Today Slums has come into limelight not because of Leaders or Rulers or Film Directors or Producers of this Country but it was produced and Directed by Foreigners. We ourselves have used the Slums, the Lower Caste, the outcaste, the Poor, the Backward Class only for our Political Votes and Personal Gains. Today if Slums is the root of Achievement for Slumdog Millionaire,I would never consider this an achievement. The movie depicts the truth of India's Poverty and we should accept it. A Movie should be also be made on how our Leaders,Business and various corrupted people have stacked or siphoned their illgotten wealth in Swiss Banks and the largest in the World. Just as we show the Truth of Poor India we should show the Truth of Corrupted People of India. I feel proud that India has won Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire but also feel ashamed that Foreign Producers and Directors used India to show the Slums which is the Dirty Side of India.I would consider the winning of Oscars is for the Product they have created or produced and not for the real picture of India.

  • raju, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    good comments Smitha Mascarenhas

  • sunny k.d., m'lore/bahrain

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    It’s a nice article on slumdog. Some things are true anyone would agree. They say Good things happen for many reasons and hard work. It follows with some criticism. That is reality. We should look at brighter and positive side, those kids will get the life which they always wished in their dreams, otherwise it would not have been possible without s.m. Yes, Indian director had this movie surely it wouldn’t make it to oscars, at least with this sort of storyline, Because there were much better movies in the past in India, but this SM made it too big Oscars because of whitish touch of director. Major good thing about whole, the bridge thing between Bollywood to Hollywood. Indians professionalism in the field movie making got recognition.. Many more Oscars will follow in coming years its brighter side of SM. To sum up.The passion it has aroused in India and in world media, this eventually someday somehow could be directed towards a mass movement to eradicate the evils of slum and eliminate the slums altogether in stages some day for sure. End of the line its reality. This movie about India n thousands make it to rags-2-riches every now n then, there are good n bad things everywhere in everything’s. Not to forget India is a great country, its reputation or greatness can’t be judged or broken by single movie.

  • Purushottama, Byndoor

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Well written article. Anisa has not lost the balance of thought though the media is pounding every ones head as if a great thing has happened to India. Keep writing.

  • Stibert Pinto, Bangalore/Dubai

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Anisa what you are saying also your personal view and it commonly can not be construed as Indian public view. In projecting few scenes in the movie is realty than creation of art. Probably if you would have gone to differnt slums in India you will come to know more that has not been projected. Being NRI it is natural to feel bad when India has been projected so badly.

    The fact is always bitter and difficult to diggest. It is appropriate to visit these slums and get first hand information to yourselves then write your views. Obviously a foreign director is preferred for oscar than a Indian. I would always rate" Tare Zamin Par" a better movie than Slum Dogs.. But no comparison. The theme of both the movies are totally different.

    Let us wait and see after projecting Indian poverty how many NRI's, Govt will do for the betterment of Slum Dwellers!! Couple of our South Indian highly paid actors came from slums. They can express their views better than any one of us.

  • ishan, mangalore / KSA

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    What I feel after watching the movie and reading all these articles is, it is not the time of discussing about pride and glory it’s the time of facing the truth. Like of terrorism and communalism poverty and slums also real. If you wanna project India as land of elephants & Taj Mahal you are saying half truth slums and poverty is also a part of India lets not forget about it. What I believe is we don’t have any problem with showing these kind face of India, the problem with us is it was a foreigner who narrating it! But lets face it guy’s, ask any body who lives in Mumbai & if you pass though those slums of Dharavi you can find hundreds of Jamals n Salims. We don’t have any problem with that but we have problem with mere a movie. Jai ho!!! About our directors making it to big (Oscar), Oscar has some criteria for qualifying a movie first we have to study it. If u noticed songs in this movie used so cleverly it looks so real (when Jamal finds lathika she was dancing on a number ring…) and jai ho song has used as a music video at the end it has nothing to do with any part of the movie. What if it made by our director? Hero would have danced with heroin on the streets of New Zeland when movies based on Bombay slums) we have the example of couple of movies which made into Oscars but didn’t scored. If u notice there is a strong resilience & hope of slum people is highlighted and the energy which they have (Boy Jamal discussing with lathika of buying a house at airport road) I think we need these very badly at present.

  • Smitha Mascarenhas, Mangalore/Dubai

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Very good article by Anisa. The same kind of thought was going on in my mind whenever I was watching the trailers of "Slumdog Millianaire" on TV for the past 2 months. For many years now, the perception of westeners about India has been a sort of "exotic" country of snake-charmers, cows moving on the busy road along with other vehicles, slums, poverty and many movies have been made by western-based directors on this aspect of India (when I say this, please think of Meera Nair also among them). Most of such movies have been made keeping Oscar awards in mind.

    One more thing is whenever an International flight lands at Mumbai Sahar Airport what is the sight you get to see out of the window? Vast expanse of slums starting right from the compound wall of the airport, the stale smell of gutters,mosquitoes hovering around you, airport staff everwhere demanding dirhams/dollars from you (forget about service...). So this is the first impression to whichever foreigner visiting India. Mind it...the above things you can experience right inside the airport. Once you get out of it, the outside story is...greedy taxi drivers, haphazard traffic, high rises on one side of the road followed by slums behind them.

    So I wonder if this inspires western-based directors to make a movie on India's worst face? On one side our India is shining in business, education, cultural diversity, tourist places, resources, beautiful people & hospitality. Even many of most richest men in the world happen to be Indians.

    On the other side of India, there are people living in poor condions, lack of basic necessities like food, shelter, water, lack of access to medical, educational facilities, religious fanatics who don't think twice before killing their own compatriots in the name of religion, corruption, unemployment, dirty politics...the list goes on endlessly. So India is becoming a mixture of extreme good, at the same time bad elements creating shadow over the good. When 26/11 attack happened in Mumbai, there were interesting debates going on in TV.

    What surprised me was they showed eminent people like Shobha De', top models, etc mourned for the damage that happened to the heritage hotel Taj because they used to frequent it for parties, coffee shops etc. - but didn't mention a word of sorrow for the poor people who were killed in the CST Station or roads by those terrorists. So when this kind of indifference is there in the minds of us Indians about good & bad of India, is it really fair to criticise if western directors make such "realistic", "hard-hitting", pot-boiler movies about India.

    There is a programme on Channel [V] India conducted by VJ Lola Kutty who goes around different parts of country and interviews people, asks General Knowledge questions (eg: President of India, colours in Indian flag, and other basic things which every Indian is supposed to know) and it is shocking to see that most of the junta which can answe

  • Lance, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Hi FAtima, Do not still be drowned in the Colonial sorrows! It is high time that overcome colonial depression and think big and better. Recover fast! Grow up! We are a great nation and are capable of great things. It is not necessary to associate this event with colonization and white man. We should reconcile and overcome hurts of colonization and do not remain there itself. Your thoughts only generate hate and enemity and healthy outlook in a world of globalisation. Please do not venture into this type of propaganda!

  • Godwin D'Souza, Moodubelle / Dubai

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Guys, spare a thought for the prodecers / directors who made better movies than 'slumdog......', but did not get the recognition they deserved.

  • M J shastri, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    I think Anisa Fathima needs a reality check.

  • joy prakash, mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    it is an wonderfull movie of this year.

  • Bhaskar, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Very well commented by Bharath Shetty Kateel.

  • Shareef Moideen, Mangalore/ Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Hi Carol, I agree with your comments for certain extent, but Indians didn’t protest when reality is shown. We did protest because the film has been made by a British director if he was genuine in his intention he had lots of subjects in India to portray. Poverty is there in India no one can deny the fact but when the issue is exaggerated we have to protest because it is a movie and visual media is very powerful these days, people all over the world will believe that India is a poorest nation in spite of having 200 million medium class families which is more than medium class in US. “Slumdog millionare “the title itself reveals the intention. 

    How can we call someone living in slum as “DOG” and if this movie was done by an Indian director we couldn’t ever imagine that it could have been nominated to OSCARS or BAFTA. I am obliged to agree with your comment that we are discriminated in our country because of the color & even the faith. Thanks to Anisa Fathima for this article and let the producer of this movie spend his some profit for the welfare of the slums in India.

  • sen, california

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    An excellent article! Could not agree more with you. I read Adiga's book and wondered whether the India potrayed in his novel is anywhere near reality. In slumdog, the indian boy wading through sewage is a classic example of demeaning our national pride. No matter how much poverty there is in India, our poor people have dignity, I dont imagine any child in Dharavi will wade through shit to get an autograph.

    Slumdog does not potray reality -it only potrays one slice of Indian reality. It strips away the dignity of young Jamal and shows a people who would embrace excrement and think nothing of it. To all those Indians here who applaud this, its time for you to introspect a little. And BTW, to the person who posted that American Indians are the highest paid in the US, stop spreading myths - for every blue collar job in the US, an American gets paid significantly more than an Indian immigrant, but both are taxed the same. Some of us with thicker skins and an appetite for sahib-appeasement will dismiss this as not being racist, but this is our spineless national trait. I think Indians outside India are the worst culprits who propagate the myth of western superiority. I request our Indian film makers to shoot movies in the slums of the Bronx and Brooklyn and the filth of Chinatown and not make eye candy out of the west.

    For all those applauding slumdog as an Indian success - it is not! It is no more an Indian success than Amartya Sens nobel prize made out of the great Bengal famine and the statistics of Indian deaths was! It would be ironic to celebrate the Western potrayal of our dark side, and applaud the fact that shit-wading poor kids in our slums have no other way to succeed in their lives than to hope to be picked randomly by a TV game show. This is not hope it is a picture of despair. No matter how much you shout and convince yourself otherwise!

  • Deepak, New Delhi

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    This writer seems to create a point taking a point that is completely out of the real conviction. Where are you living, what do you want to make others believe??? If you accept Rahman’s Oscar win a victory for India, a step ahead for Indian film industry, then you got to recognize the story…remember this is derived by a book written by an Indian, along with a lot of talented actor and moreover an Indian sensibility which captures the imagination of world…

    If you think we have something (or many) that we need to better ourselves, we got to accept the reality we live in….just pretending or criticising for the criticism is nothing but living in a blackhole. Just capture the first ray of done like the one ‘SLUMDOG’ did. Again you brought another useless point of ‘Black and Brown’ which the American society itself has forgotten centuries ago…

  • bharath shetty, Kateel-USA

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Dear Anisa, I accept your opinion in film per se. I am sure if the same movie taken by Indian director, would not have got Oscars. There is still some residual sterotyped image of India as land of snake charmers etc. Frankly speaking "Taare Zameen Par" and "Lagaan" were more superior in qulaity and definetely deserved Oscars when movies like Slumdog can get 8 awards

  • Carol, Mangalore/KSA

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Anisa Fathima, India is still a land of elephants, colours, temples and the Taj Mahal along with poverty, grime and dirt. There is nothing wrong in showing the world the poverty, grime and dirt the way it is. Why do we have to glamourise poverty??. Remember this, no matter how beautiful the rose is....it still has thorns and it is beautiful way!! As far as Madhur Bhandarkar's films go, yes, they show reality but, with a lot of masala.

    And when reality is shown, we Indians are always ready to protest, criticise and ban it. Not ready to accept the facts of life. And most importantly, you should not bring up racial issue here. Indians are respected and looked upon in most parts of the world. The truth is that, we are not respected in our own country, racial descrimination is very evident right here.

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Good article Anisa. I would like to differ a bit from your views. Let us learn to appreciate which is good. The movie is good and the showing is bad!? When we read the news" Indian Americans are paid highest" we feel good !

    When we see the slums daily we dont feel bad as much as we the same things on movie !!? Let us accept the reality of our poverty and let us also accept that we also one of the powerful nations!!!! It is true that when the same movie had been made by Indians, it would not have got so many Oscars ! May be our advertising in the west may be poor.

    Good sales always followed by a good advertisement ! Otherwise in India Coca cola, Pepsi any other cold drinks which are mere water and sugar mixture which is not good for health even, are sold the way they are sold.

  • Manoj Fern, mangalore

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Land of elephants & temples is one side of the coin & Land of dirt & slime the other. Black makes look white look better & so let us learn to accept reality & live with it. Your statement "It was one white man, standing in front of more than ten brown men, as if he were leading them while they politely followed" is what you have percieved.

    What would have happened at that situation at that particular moment would have initiated the producer to do so. The world is one big beautiful place to live & it is the duty of everyone to make it a better palce to live & more so for people like you who write for the sake of the majority population of the society, who get inspired either for good or bad , by reading them.

    Let us not create divisions in terms of color caste creed wealth...Let us not create issues out of nothing. Let us see the positives in Slumdog... in everything around us & learn to appreciate & promote humanity

  • Tia, UAE

    Tue, Feb 24 2009

    Dear Anisa, I think there is some depth in what your trying to convey through this article which is rightly written in most places.. Really worth a read and its high time we all Indians realize the honor, value and pride we have in all aspects being an Indian.. We have so much more than what we get applauded for always but the truth is that its all coming one day or the other as time is the best healing factor, be it Olympics, cricket and now the Oscars..

    If you check out the site viz http://www.socyberty.com/Ethnicity/Indias-Contributions.46352 you would actually realize and be shocked that India has contributed and achieved so much more in various fields and we should be proud being an INDIAN. If you only try and encourage any type of talent in our daily routine around us we can assure INDIA to be on top of the world one day… All the Best Anisa and congrats again…nice article..May be you have mis spelt David i/o Danny Boyle. Thank you.

  • Chetan, Bangalore

    Mon, Feb 23 2009

    After 'Slumdog' success the slums of Dharavi and elsewhere have become hot tourist spots. Indian's stereotyped image as rag-picker, snake-charmer, slum-dweller is further strengthened The West knows too well that 'Poverty Sells'. Jai Ho...


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Title: Slumdog Millionaire - Making Millions out of Poverty



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