After its sweeping win at the Oscars last Sunday, Slumdog Millionaire seems like the movie everyone wants, and perhaps needs. It has all the ingredients of escapist fare from the Great Depression — a populist hero who overcomes all odds to get the girl and the money. There’s an added element of self-congratulation for the West: by seeing this movie you can see India without getting your hands dirty or offending your nose, and cheer it on. Cinderella didn’t walk through tenements and sectarian violence to reach her prince. But in this fairy tale, a concession must be made to modern realities. Dev Patel is symbolic of India here and now, fulfilling its wildest economic aspirations while being conscious of the darkest aspects of social decay and despair.
If we follow the metaphor to its logical conclusion, India will get the money and the girl by rising above its slums. Perhaps that’s why Slumdog has created an uneasy reaction in Mumbai and the rest of India. Rising above isn’t the same as solving. Many well-born educated Indians have looked westward for a long time, which is easier than looking inward. They know more about the streets of London and New York than the teeming lanes of the ghettos in their own city. This is true, of course, among rich elites everywhere, not just in south Asia. Watching Dev triumphantly cross the social line is triumphant, but it reminds you that there is a line. (Barack Obama crossed the racial line in triumph, also, but notice how much heat his Attorney General, Eric Holder, took when he suggested in less than polite terms that America needs to be more honest and courageous about the whole problem of race.)
Like fairy tales, symbols can pacify deep anxieties. India dreams of being a millionaire, but it lives with the anxiety that it’s really a slumdog. Or that the slumdogs will one day rise up against the millionaires. You can read the tea leaves any way you like. Another uncertainty attends the film. Having been made on a shoestring, Slumdog managed to outgross any number of big-budget Hollywood films. Last week it ranked fifth in U.S. box office while its nearest Oscar rival, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, was no longer in the top ten. Brad Pitt, being a megastar, has pulled his film to $122 million, compared to Slumdog’s $98 million, but is that really competitive? Ten movies on the scale of Slumdog can be made for the cost of one blockbuster that has yet to pay back its cost.
The whole movie industry is watching closely, and the developing world is watching back even more closely. After two decades of action flicks with move-your-lips scripts that were primitive enough to appeal to Asian males, here is Asia — via the UK, admittedly — sending back something sophisticated, poignant, and universal. It’s like the ultimate retort to colonialism: the coolie and the wallah have more smarts than the sahib. Indians feel uneasy about that, too. Will the sahib turn his back and shut them out? Do south Asians have enough self-respect and stature in the world to at last forget that the sahib ever existed?
We may know the answers in the near future. Bollywood didn’t conceive Slumdog. It still purveys mindless entertainment, for the most part, interspersed with small independent films that challenge the West for thoughtfulness and freshness. It’s not for lack of talent that India didn’t produce Slumdog. But questions of vision and courage do arise. Past history and ingrained inhibitions make it hard for Indian artists in any field to be as frank and true to life as they should be. They have yet to seize freedom. The country has yet to shake off its humbling self-image, although that is occurring faster every day.
If Slumdog is a viable symbol, the future it points to is just being born. An out-of-the-way picture can dare to be universal, which means that India may dare to be universal one day. The dispossessed people of Asia are suddenly aware that they have a place at the table where previously only the rich dined. Both developments are encouraging. Meanwhile, one can marvel at the bald fact that a Bollywood-style anthem, "Jai Ho," won the Oscar for Best Song, while Bruce Springsteen wasn’t even nominated. The first Academy Awards of the recession turned out to be, as one headline proclaimed, the first outsourced Oscars of all time.
Currently I'm reading Slumdog Millionaire, and will post about it on my blog soon; I also intend on seeing the movie–which won 8 Academy Awards–in the future. The book is fascinating and talks a lot about the movie industry in India. Perhaps it is through movies that India will transform itself.
There is some type of scam or ulterior motive or agenda what ever you call it behind giving these awards to Slumdog. There is way too many good films then slumdog that are made in India. It is soft porn or obsene movie. Now hollywood can sell and market all its movies in India and make good money, as Indians have lot of extra money compared to US counterparts. I dont agree with your argument that Indian filmmakers are not true and frank to reality, films are made to get some relief or entertainment not to show the dark side and depress people. Deepak you would much more following the more you write about slumdog, but whatever you may say the films didnt need some indecent scenes and was not worth all the hype.
Well… what can I say this seems like one of the best posts on Slumdog Millionaire I have seen here on intent and I must say its one of the best of Dr. Chopra's posts irrespective of the topic, be it Karma, spirituality, marital harmony or oscars. I think Dr. Chopra should do more movie reveiws once in a while
Anyway jokes aside movies are the new fairy tales and mythology, they are the new Rama Ravana and Robinhood stories of generations to come, therefore I guess spirituality and 'em movies are closely internconnected at a certain level.
Going back to Slumdog Millionaire – yeah thanks Dr. Chopra for reminding that it never was a bollywood conception.
"After two decades of action flicks with move-your-lips scripts that were primitive enough to appeal to Asian males, here is Asia — via the UK, admittedly — sending back something sophisticated, poignant, and universal"
Well… couldn't have said truer words than that, the stereotypical formula that most popular bollywood movies seem to tread on, which I have commented on elsewhere on this site.
Anyway though I felt as if I should comment on this post of Dr. Chopra's it seems like the post itself have made the need to comment on in it redundant. Another trivial point to highlight is that seems like those who are more familiar with the streets of London and New York are the ones who are more uncomfortable with Slumdog, I wonder how much of that dyscomfort is about India and how much of it is about Slumdog as a widely watched movie being a threat to fitting into streets of London or New York or Paris or whatever the case may be.
Enough said on that too. Oscars are fashionable, so is talking about them, then again always talking against the popular trend too seem to be another fashion. Another personal observation if I may share is that those who seem to criticise at least some of the western popular formulae do seem to struggle with the idea of not being able to fit into the same formulae that they seem to be critical of, and even secretly regreting not being able to do so.
Like Dr. Chopra has said its not lack of talent that Bollywood has not been able to comeup with Slumdog – it's the fear and the anxiety of treading out of the box and clinging into false values and protecting them as they are their age old values when the case is some of the values they so cling to, with vengeance are infact results of the old colonialism itself. I mean I can't think of a more hypocritical issue than that… this is evident in many a cases not just in bollywood.
Anyway my thoughts here seem to be random… so I shall rest my post….and see what Suko O. come up with at least….
I am editting and putting a note after seeing the above post of Chandra Pal, well yeah I am sure there's some truth about his allegations of a commercial interest in the awards ceremony but I can not see how he validates his second or other argument with that…..
~ R ~
I enjoyed Deepak's review and I am looking forward to getting the movie on DVD when it comes out.
Cheers,
char
"First Outsourced Oscar"! Peace and Love conquer the hearts! Will peace and love able to conquer Lands.
Love
Rajesh
http://rajeshmsharma.blogspot.com
Re: Slumdog Millionnaires
platzl@sbcglobal.net My name is Counselor Please explain to me why this culture seems to be so entrenced in the making of film of any kind showing beautiful young women in vibrant and quite sexy clothing living in these worlds which can never exist. At the same time I see men sitting in coffee bars drinking coffee and smoking cigarets, and debating all day. One very wise man sain "he who does not work, does not eat." Not working, not trying to make even the smallest part of these fantasy films a reality for their wives and children, who instead are made to beg. This is a very disturbing and up side down way to live. The people would not have to make literally hunderds of movies depicting fantasy if the internal structure of the country were to be a more commercial one, with the fathers truely acting as heads of their homes by working to provide. All anyone needs is an idea and the will to act upon it. Where the roofs of homes are in disrepair, become a roofer… if the need in your neighborhood is for a new,better well and water delivery system fine a shovel, fine the way …reach out to friends, combine real resouces and work together. God gives gifts that can never be taken from us, so if you have a vision for something, make it happen. Please do not find offence in this because I have nothing but love for the people. Become more than a fantasy, be a reality!
care forall I might be changing into meh Indian pink blouse that I bought a few days ago…changing out of the black…many people think it is an Indian blouse but it too was actually made in China!
Also some say I kinda have Japanese eyes ! 
But might be adding some Indian colour to my profile pic soon!
No changing jokes please…let's keep this clean!
yeh suit apka chicken ka hai kya ?aur aankhe aapki jheel si hain …ha ha filmi …waise profile foto change lo and post some trini fotos too like your garden's
Careforall and Babita seem to have more than few things in common…. don't they now…. apart from their indian ancestry that is…
Dear Care for all, Thank you for getting a reply to me so quickly! I think that, just as it is in this country, there is such a hugh gap between those who are " well off" and the truely poor that we sometimes forget. I do not claim to understand anything about India's caste system or any such thing but I do have friends here from India who dress in the most beautiful garments, garments that I would love to wear!! I am very lucky to have a wonderful friendand we can talk for hours very honestly and she has been a great gift to me. There are many things that have happened in this country ( which I love dearly) but even having had no part in these things , they break my heart. I will never understand the absolute cruelty with no provocationetween people, and so I thank you again andbless India,, her government and her people. Thank you, Counselor
Hi, My name is counselor and your short sentence said so much to me….."changing into my pink blouse and out of the black"! I hadn't thought of it at all as being a sign of the changing culture and my sister's cry of freedom….Thank you, Babita for showing me that!
Haha! Tell him to translate then…look what you all went and make the thread into now! I think Ed has just given up on open thread…gone and thrown in the towel so now slang is everywhere!
Babita dont tell me you dont understand hindi …if not i can traslate it …btw that looks like a chicken suit to me , its very famous in Lucknow in UP .
Deepak,
The larger critical dilemma, paradox, predicament and challenge that strongly prevails and is continually the potentially shocking reality that needs more urgent attention; resolute action is the deliberate crippling of the Children by syndicates; this and other associated actions that need to be completely curbed
Just imagine, so many innocent Children loosing their vision, being crippled and attacked so they could be made to beg for alms; to beg for the Syndicates, which is the very greatest of sins
The Children who go through this process know how it terribly feels. Further the Parents of the Children who are very unfortunately victims of this cruel actions organized by the syndicates are experiencing a terrible plight; a condition that is extremely challenging since which Parent could perceive their Children undergoing such miserable and unfortunate plights?
This critical matter needs to be boldly and decisively handled, managed and resolved whereby such actions are completely curbed and punishable, to ensure that the offenders shirk from ever rendering such type of atrocities onto innocent Children
Children who rightfully deserve to lead a normal life are being made to beg for alms after they have been terribly injured and are made to loose their abilities; it is so that their limbs are being brutally severed simply to serve the syndicates objectives
Further the Children have to constantly live in fear in the handicapped state and live in challenging conditions;
When one stands at the periphery and discusses is completely different from one actually facing such challenging situations on a day to day basis; the reality of the situation is much more crucial, since the Children know what they are being made to go through
For these Children, every day could be tantamount to an agonizing one week, the terrible challenge of having to beg for alms for the syndicates in their handicapped conditions
I have been expressing this concern at previous instances also since it is the one aspect that merits more urgent attention and thoughtful actions than any other impending issues
The previous comments relating to these that I had written are the following, with particular reference to the crippling of the Children, which is the very most cruel of actions
http://www.intent.com/blog/2009/02/01/does-west-p…
http://www.intent.com/blog/2009/02/23/jai-ho
The deliberate crippling is one of the actions along with the deliberate blinding of the Children; all extremely sinful actions and furthermore there might be more actions that are being taken that we might not be aware of
Time and Again, why do the syndicates perform these actions? Do the realize how extremely cruel and painful; how extremely agonizing the pain is and the very most cruelest of actions to make the Children undergo such life challenging situations
In fact those who help in whatever reasonable possible way also would be of extremely great assistance; and take further steps to establish a sustainable foundation for the Children caught in these unfortunate circumstances would be immensely blessed since they would be providing a completely new life to the Children who might be unfortunately caught in these terrible circumstances
Sincere prayers, hopes,thoughts and wishes are being extended to the Children, hoping that their sufferings will be alleviated; that they will be provided the essential support so they could live normally without the fear and having to undergo such critically challenging times in their lives
Love and Light
God Bless
Vashi
http://thesoulspeaks.wordpress.com/
**
I can more or less care forall but I got that Ruch was begging to know and he speaks English and Singhalese so…Im not fluent though so didnt want to have a go and be wrong and also I couldn't believe you really asked that!
My ancestors are from that region but I've never she foot!
In all seriousness my blouse in the current profile pic was made in China! I just bought it in some store here in Trinidad…
My eyes that's another story…
Why you didnt translate the whole thing for Ruch for? 
Excuse me !!! Now I am the fall guy huh?
Ruch(will call you Jayasuriya
) ) though its personal remark i will translate it – is your dress a chicken dress ?( chicken is a type of emroided dress famous in northern part of India ) aslo her eyes are like lake ( its a common phrase heroes in movies use to describe heroines eyes …ha ha )
Apologise to Deepak and intent.com for all the problems I than few weeks ago,
Deepak if you give me the oportunity to explain, I will. I feel so but for all the misunderstandings on the last few few weeks transform in jealous and unger.
Please I feel really but, like I can carrion with everything everyday.. I feel ill each night and morning I don't want to carrion with life.
Please Deepak I make a mistake, but after one year and the half you can have a coversation, I been in your way always you know that. Love Mercedes. mediumniebla@yahoo.ca
Damn carefor all you Indians can't get enough of him don't you? – I mena Jayasooriya. I know in India Sri Lanka and Jayasooriya are synonyms.
Anyway Care for all enjoy the fun – I am outta here – dnt want to be the villain
nah nah Ruch some guys are universal heroes like and Jayasooriya always appealed as a hero to all Indians even though he used to whack us …so dont get me wrong , but yes even though Murali is a good bowler he lacks the sportsman spirit or for that matter any entertaning spirit . Jayasooriya was a thorough entertainer and so are you
)
I think slumdog millionaire don't reflect the reality and it's always the same image of india that better sold in West. This image consolidate that west countries are better in the world for the human right. When you see in the film the scene where american tourist says to the little boys who rob the taxi's wheel after gives him money in america we treat like this child because taxi man hits him. It's a very negative image of India it's an insult to indians that we don't need!
Lauren I now notice your comment!
Fancy you seeing such a deeper meaning to my proposed change of clothing colour! 
But glad it bought joy and light to ya! 
jokes are imp. for us ,b'caz jokes provide us happyness and remove stress from our life. hindijokes
In todays stressful environment, it is extremely important to seek some sort of environment or stressbuster .Hindi Jokes are an easy way of relieving ones Stress. hindijokes
I quite agree with you，and I have some information for your reference, I believe that you will love it.:
The wealth to give to others, the hope to oneself, she will bring my endless wealth; I didn't go to the mountain, and I will go to it;
Lions led the flock of sheep led by fighting far overcome the lion; A personal decision lies not in the mood of the environment,
and in his mind; The lack of strength, rather than is perseverance; Man can survive, when he has the substance,
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