Slumdog Millionaire managed to bag eight out of 10 awards. It isn't bad, by any standard, but that kind of a score at the Oscars surely means that the film, Slumdog Millionaire managed to woo, not just the jury, but also an international audience. 

"A white man's depiction of slums are not something new to any Indian," says Arnab Dey, a PR professional who felt a sense of pride while agreeing that Slumdog Millionaire, "Exposed the bitter truth of Indian slums in a global landscape." Now, after bagging eight awards, the film puts Indian slums on the "must-see" list of most tourists. Arnab says, "They'll [slums] attract the attention of tourists, artists and will, indeed, be a topic to discuss at any social get together."

But then, here, slums aren't a new phenomena, and as Saina says, "We chose to ignore them", so it isn't like one needs to watch the flick to know what a slum looks like. Sure, it isn't a pleasant sight while that 70mm re(e)ality stares us in the face. That's why Arunima Lahiri, senior communications director with a PR company, resisted watching the movie. She says simply, "I knew how the slums in this country look like. Don't I see young kids defecating on the main roads every morning on the way to work? Don't I face blind child beggars at traffic signals?" And there was no way she was "paying Multiplex movie charges to see reality". Clearly her preference would be, "seeing Shah Rukh Khan gyrating to mindless music or John Abraham's anatomy".

As international awards and nominations at the Oscars were showered on the film, Arumina couldn't escape the hype, "created by Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards and the Oscar nominations, compelling me to give the movie a chance". Double that with an irresistible offer by her cable provider, and Arunima ended up watching the film twice in a single day. She says, "I must admit I was totally hypnotised." So, what's so good about it? "The entire treatment of the film, the story line, the picturisation, the identification with the simple pleasures of life as depicted by the slum kids was too overwhelming," she says in a breath. That's not all, she says, "It was definitely not a Mumbai underbelly story as propounded by so-called intellectuals." She was struck by the ability of an underprivileged child, "to maximise opportunities through basic awareness". For someone who wouldn't pay to see reality, Arunima is certainly floored as she adds, "What impresses me the most is the lack of any formula and known faces in the m
ovie. Today, I'm proud to identify with the Indian Slumdog. May they blossom."

But, there are those who aren't gung-ho about slums. "Sure, the film was good but it didn't tell me anything that I didn't know earlier," says Saina, in a matter-of-fact tone. She compares it with Shantaram, "Anyone who has read the book has been treated to vivid descriptions of slums. But, both are a white man's perception of slums. We know about slums, so much so that we chose to ignore them." 

Ronita Sachdev, who has worked with slum kids in Kolkata calls the film enjoyable and maintains, "I didn't feel it showed anything about Indian slums that I was not aware of already." Another one to mention Shantaram, Ronita says, "Even if I hadn't had that first hand experience, anyone who read[s] Shantaram would have pretty much similar impressions of it."

Team Correspondent/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication