Slumdog Millionaire - Why??

This movie is doing very well around the world, especially in UK and USA. It has already won quite a few awards (such as the Golden Globe Award). I saw this movie knowing how well it was doing. Therefore there was bit of anticipation. Since this movie talks about the life of a child growing up in the slums I was expecting a bit of stupidity as well.

The movie started very very nicely. I liked the concept of linking questions with the boys life. If we divide the movie into three parts, each part representing one stage in the life of the boy (childhood, teenage and adult) then the first part is amazing. But second and third parts are equally dissappointing. In fact when I finished watching the movie I coulnd't understand why it was winning all these awards?

The first part has the kids speaking hindi and innovative subtitles. But in the second and third parts of the movie kids start speaking english with a British accent. They definitely do not look malnurished or that they have any connection with slums.

As the movie progresses it looses touch with reality and in the end is almost like a standard Hindi movie where hero beats the bad guy and gets his girl and the money!

It seems as if after making the first part the producers realised if they made the whole movie in Hindi with English sub-titles they will loose their target audience. Furthermore taking it away from 'real life' ensured that their target audience is not bored by 'another movie about hardships of life in Mumbai'.

All in all it is a one time watch. Nothing great. The in-film music/OST is quite good. Especially the song 'Paper planes' by M.I.A. which plays in the background when they are travelling around India on train.

:)