Slumdog millionaire- Now, I don’t need to explain what it is since it has already occupied a position internationally. It’s a combination of two contrasting and complementary words- SLUMDOG and MILLIONAIRE. If not anyone else, it has surely made Danny Boyle a millionaire after an international recognition with 10 nominations at the 81st annual Academy of Motion Picture Art and Science Awards (popularly known as Oscars). But the word Slumdog is the one which has been associated with India that the director has left behind. Open air lavatories, slums, prostitution, brothels, child labour, blinding and maiming of kids, traffic jams, irresponsible call centres is what portrayed in the film. Aren’t these projected to replace the illusionary perception of India as a land of snake charmers? For me, it’s a poor projection and an onslaught on India, particularly Hinduism.
Critics felt that the movie sells India's poverty to West and some others had raised objections to the word 'slumdog' on grounds that people living in Indian slums were being referred to as 'dogs'.
I saw the film. Amazing cinematography, however, it lacked on several grounds that distorts reality. Ask yourself. Isn’t it denigrating Hinduism? Isn’t it making a comical exaggeration out of India? Well, if not, then I have certain arguments to support my view.
One: Jamal, the protagonist is asked a question whose answer is Satyamev Jayate. An innovative and extremely smart hero who studied in a school besides living in slums with standard of education so high that he was drilled with the names of three characters of the famous book ‘The three Musketeers’ but not the meaning of Satyamev Jayate. Isn’t it an insult of the Indian education system? Wouldn’t an American child know the meaning of ‘In God We Trust’?
Two: The two monsters casted in the film who maim, cripple, blind and exploit children in order to make them earn higher by begging on streets was something that could be taken for granted by the audience. It’s a grim reality, actually. However, is there any reason why deliberately Darshan do Bhagwan has been included when Bollywood tracks are more the stereotype? It’s just to move away from the reality when it has been clearly messaged that “this do exists”.
There’re still more facts to support my view but I think these would do.
Until recently when I watched Slumdog Millionaire I considered myself a power Hindu trying to follow Hinduism in a dignified manner. Now, after watching the film I feel a tickle in my bones as I just can’t stand it anymore because my blood actually boils. After the movie I translated the title of the movie in Hindi to my friends: Jhopadpattti ka Crorepati Kutta and all of them started laughing. (I’m sure this must have made you laugh too.)
Then, I had no answer. But now by the means of this article I just want to answer that they didn’t laugh on the Hindi translation, indeed, they laughed on their ethics, on their religion, on their mediocre thinking. Why are we selling our souls to the West? The problem is fundamental and lies in the nature of accountability of the internal authorities. I think exposing the internal affairs to the West after the N-deal has become a tradition.
