The Slumdog Millionaire debate...2

I watched Slumdog Millionaire. And I did it with an unprejudiced mind. I endorse all the disgust and disappointment shown by fellow bloggers and the likes of Arindam Choudhury. It is an insult on all Indians in general and Hindus in particular. In fact, Danny Boyle has repeated what the British had done to our country for about 200 years. He has played the communal card. This time to rule our minds!

When a little boy dressed as Lord Ram, looks abhorrently at Jamal, the subtle message is that the Hindu Gods or His worshippers in this country are intolerant of Muslims. And that this state of affairs is endorsed by the State (signified by the policemen being silent observers of the massacre).

Quite disparagingly, Jamal is able to answer that Benjamin Franklin's photo is on a $100 note. He remembers how his blinded beggar friend had identified the note. (As if to signify the benevolence of Britishers who give away $100 notes to beggars). To point out the truth, the parents of the child actors of SM have already accused the film's producers of underpaying and exploiting the eight-year-olds.

Paradoxically, Jamal is unable to recognize Mahatma Gandhi's picture on a 1000 rupee note. It is a pungent remark on the Mahatma and the respect that he has among his countrymen. Jamal, with an English education in primary school however, remembers the names of the Musketeers.

I think Mother India portrayed a grimmer reality of India's poverty. And in an unprejudiced way. But, we did not appreciate the film that much. Probably because it did not win a Golden Globe. And was not made by Danny Boyle.

The Slumdog and Millionaire debate

I just watched Slumdog Millionaire. I had to. What if so much is being written and said about the film. Ever since, Big B reportedly expressed his disagreement about the film, the debate has heated up.

Not only the Indian media but also the International media paid their respect to Big B’s comments. The Guardian as well as BBC had reports about the Bollywood star’s views.

One question that both the critics and supporters of the film have raised is:

If this film was made by a local director and not by a Western biggie, would our reaction to the film have been the same?

Whether it is the seasoned blogger, Amit Verma who has heaved praise on the film or the critical Arindam Choudhuri who has urged Indians not to waste their time in watching the film, the same question has been raised.

But, the truth is, the film has not been made by a local Indian director and therefore the question remains unanswerable.

It is true that the film illogically shows every negative thing about India happening in the protagonist’s life...slums, open-air lavatories, riots, underworld, prostitution, brothels, begging, child labour, blinding and maiming of kids to make them into “better beggars”, petty pedlars, traffic jams, irresponsible call centre executives... It fails to provide a balanced view.

That the maestro A.R. Rahman has secured three Oscar nominations is one convincing factor. Nonetheless, it can also be asked: Is his music in Slumdog Millionaire his best performance? Has he not scored music in Indian music that was even better?

Contrarily if Slumdog Millionaire offends or pleases, it is in the nature of art to do so.

Still confused? Watch it for yourself and decide.