Slumdog Millionaire has India abuzz, as the innovative film looks to take home multiple Oscars. Could it be the first Indian-set movie to win Best Picture since Gandhi in 1982? Adam Spunberg and Erica Hazra discuss this Bollywood-style sensation.

By Adam Spunberg and Erica Hazra

Adam: Could this be the year when Hollywood pays homage to Bollywood? If it happens, it will all be due to Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle’s extraordinary tribute to the metamorphoses of Mumbai. America has cheered and sobbed through many Indian films (The Namesake, Monsoon Wedding, and Bend It Like Beckham to name a few), but never have we experienced the kind of euphoric adulation being adorned on Slumdog Millionaire. As an American of Indian heritage, do you agree with the overwhelming response from fans and critics?

Erica: I do agree with the response from fans and critics. At its heart, Slumdog is a Cinderella story, but there’s more to it than that. We see Jamal and Salim growing up in the squalor of Mumbai. The movie has the potential to be quite depressing, but instead it is uplifting and inspiring. There has been some criticism from Indians or Indian-Americans who say that the movie is exploiting the slums of Mumbai to tug at America’s heartstrings and that this is not the “real India.” I think everybody realizes that this is not a documentary; the premise of a slum kid going on the show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” to find his one, true love is obviously farfetched. However, what I enjoyed about this movie was that in between the fiction, there were some very real elements. I disagree with those that say this is not the “real India.” Rather, I would argue that this is India at its finest.

Adam: It’s interesting how you emphasize the dichotomy between “fiction” and “real India.” Some critics have gone out of their way to praise the film for its gritty, down-to-Earth presentation of India’s inner shell, while others have chastised Boyle for surrendering to cheap sentimentality. Where do you think the film portrayed India in its genuine form, and was there too much maple syrup?

Erica: I have to admit, the “cheap sentimentality” that I could have done without was the love story, which I know was the basis of the whole movie for many viewers. For me, the movie was not a love story. It was a story about the Indian spirit. Many were upset about the grim depiction of Mumbai, but while some parts of India (such as the financial and technology centers of Bangalore and Chennai) have grown exponentially, others are left behind. A large percentage of people in India still “live” on less than $2 a day. This is a shameful reality that is difficult to accept for many middle class Indians. I think that the movie did a good job in presenting this duality of India. India has a lot to be proud of, but those areas don’t need help getting noticed. It is the people left behind that need to be remembered and need the spotlight that this movie could potentially bring. Yes, the slums in Indian cities are filthy, harsh, violent, and sordid things take place such as forced prostitution and child trafficking. However, they are also filled with an incredible sense of community and everybody has dreams, desires and hope. As we saw in the movie, slum kids in India (and I imagine all over the world) are plucky, cheeky, and resourceful. You haven’t experienced India until you’ve been conned by a street kid! This is the “Indian spirit” that I’m talking about. It is this courage and audacity that has led to India’s rise in the past decade.

Adam: I definitely felt the sublime power of the “Indian spirit” you describe, and much of that is due to Danny Boyle’s frenetic style of directing. Boyle commands your attention, allowing the horrors to speak for themselves while supplying a hero you can’t help but embrace. Were there any particular scenes that stood out for you?

Erica: Yes, definitely! I loved the scene in the beginning of the movie where the cop chases the two brothers through the slum. What great cinematography! There’s so much to take in: the people, the shacks, the animals, the vibrant colors. I enjoyed all of the scenes in the slum as the kids grew up. It was an exhilarating and beautiful ride. I laughed out loud in the scene where young Jamal is being taught to sing by his “benefactor” and demands money, now that he is going to be a star. That’s an example of the kids’ cheeky, resourcefulness. In contrast to the slum scenes during the day is the red light district scene at night, which was unforgettable for me. I am a huge fan of the documentary, Born into Brothels, which this scene brought back to mind. I think the movie did a good job in briefly depicting how much harsher life can be for a young girl than for a young boy, growing up in the same situation in India.

Adam: A lot of people know about Slumdog Millionare’s nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, but the Academy bestowed these honors across the board. In total, the film received ten nominations in nine different categories: Best Picture, Director, Cinematography, Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Original Score, and twice for Best Song. It’s not farfetched to predict a Slumdog victory in all nine categories, especially since the Academy has shown an affinity for rewarding the same film over and over again (see Titanic, The Return of the King). Will you be rooting for this to happen?

Erica: Slumdog has earned these nominations, but there are a lot of great competitors out there. I do believe that it should receive Best Director, Cinematography, Adapted Screenplay, and Film Editing. I was blown away by the cinematography as I mentioned earlier and filming in Mumbai, on location at a slum could not have been an easy task. I think Danny Boyle did an incredible job directing, just considering the sheer number of people he had to manage. In an interview on NPR he mentions being on location and having to leave due to a fight almost breaking out because a crew member had bumped into someone. That could not have been a rare occurrence!

Adam: I’m sure it happened all the time. Boyle faced a number of unusual challenges, but he seemed to respond spectacularly. Prior to Slumdog, Boyle was most known for Trainspotting and the apocalyptic 28 Days Later. Perhaps this new notoriety will encourage movie fans worldwide to check out Millions and Sunshine, two remarkable, yet relatively unknown efforts. When I look back on my Slumdog Millionaire experience, I’ll remember shuffling crazily in my seat, riveted from beginning to end, and departing with a sense of having experienced something masterful. I’ll also remember the incredible resourcefulness and courage of Salim, Malik’s steadfast devotion to Latika, and the collective delirium a simple game show can instill in the hearts of so many. Any concluding thoughts?

Erica: I certainly agree and look forward to Boyle’s work in the future. I’ll conclude by simply encouraging those who haven’t seen the movie yet to go for it. There’s something in it for everyone: drama, comedy, romance. You certainly won’t be disappointed and you may even come away enlightened and inspired.

Adam: I couldn’t agree more. Jai Ho!