A Slumdog's Fairytale

Modern-day fantasy feel-good tales are hard to find. And, more so, in Indian context. Most movies with a perrenial feel-good factor associated with them turn out to be based on an American loser guy (an underdog) who wins a beautiful gal's heart and they kiss to end the movie. Well, Slumdog Millionaire is different. Not because it involves an Indian slumdog kissing to end the movie, but because it makes you believe in a over-hypothetical tale of Jamal.

The movie is based on how a Mumbai's Slum boy, Jamal becomes a millionaire overnight by winning the T.V. Game Show: "Who wants to be a millionaire?" The entire movie shows how Jamal's life revolves around the 15 questions asked in the game show. It is a matter of high coincidence and mostly beyond the realms of logic that despite not studying, Jamal is able to answer these questions only on the basis of his experience in life. But, when watching the movie, you don't realize this loop hole and cheer from your heart for Jamal to win the money and his love. The movie is fast-paced and gives you enough room to feel close to the characters and their lives.

The story presents the dark side of Mumbai and some parts of India in a light-hearted way. This has also been a point of criticism of the movie. It presents only the negative side of the Maximum City and India. Although most of it is truth, but that is not real Mumbai or India.

Best Scene: Young Jamal giving a $100 bill to a friend whose one eye has been removed by the begging crooks running the begging nexus.

Background score: AR Rahman rocks in Slumdog Millionaire. Three scores might take your heart away: The melody when Salim and Jamal go to a red-light section of Mumbai to find Latika (Ringa Ringa), The Latika's Theme, and can't miss out - Jai Ho.

People might say that Slumdog Millionaire is a sterotypical story like many old bollywood movies. However, what they are missing out on is the way the movie is presented and directed. The movie is so beautifully directed that you start vouging for characters in the movie. I would give Slumdog Millionaire 8 out of 10. It is not the best movie of the year, but one of those that you cannot missout.