Slumdog does a Michael Phelps, bags eight

Slumdog Millionaire has swept the Oscars winning 8.

The movie is a major hit in the west. In India it has been average and opinions vary. For some it is the arrival of the Bollywood brand of Indian cinema onto the world's stage. For others, it is the repackaging and selling of Indian poverty to an expectant western audience.

I was underwhelmed by the movie somewhat, but then I have experienced Bollywood. Let us look at some points of debate.

Does Slumdog repackage and sell Indian poverty?
Off course it does. So, have all the masala Bollywood movies from long past. They packaged it as it suited them and sold locally. Danny Boyle packaged it more bluntly and sold it internationally.

Does Slumdog have a good story - Bollywood ishtyle?
At various levels yes. Here are some threads that run through it.

Underdog winning against The Big Dog. The David versus Goliath thing.
People have loved that kind of thing for ages. Why, they even like it outside movies as in sports and wars sometimes.

Good versus Evil / Poor versus Rich
Then there is the good versus evil thing that gets people. Slumdog has that too.

The Love Angle
There is the love thing, the overcoming of hurdles to finally culminate in the happy ending.

Bada Bhai - Chota Bhai
This movie has it and with scenes from childhood, teenage and adulthood. Almost reminds me of Amar Akbar Anthony, Deewar, etc.

The song and dance
There is only one at the end. Could have done with a few in between as well.

Rags to riches
It is all there at the core of the movie. The west loves to ogle at our rags. We like their riches. It is a beneficial exchange. What's not to love?

Bachpan ka Pyaar
Childhood sweethearts. Hmm...

Many a Bollywood star and superstar have thrived on one or the other of the above concepts. Unfortunately for them, there was no Danny Boyle to package and give it an international exposure.

Let us keep in mind, the Chinese food we eat is not exactly as made in China. But in India people are crazy about the Indian version. This must definitely surprise the Chinese.

And so the West has loved this Hollywood version of Bollywood. They are even giving it their highest awards.

And contrary to opinions, Amitabh Bachchan has magnamously praised Rahman and others on their Oscar wins at the end of this post

Slumdog Millionaire - Hollywood movie Bollywood views

Slumdog Millionaire (english) as seen by an Indian spectator. Remember, the movie is targeted at a western audience, so its appeal to that audience is decidedly different.

What I liked ...

The story moves at 3 levels - at the police station, at the TV studio and as the main protagonist's unfolding life story. It requires very good direction and editing for a smooth flow. This is where Boyle stands out.

• The performances of the 3 kids and the 3 teens are excellent.
• Frieda (Latika) looks good, she is shown as soft at all ages so the adult part fits in.
• Anil Kapoor was ok, Irfan and Saurabh Shukhla as good as they always are.

Overall the kids were the best actors, the small and teenage Salim and the smaller Jamal esp. stood out for me.

I liked Rahman's music. I am not too deep into understanding the tiny nuances of music. So will not judge it. I liked the instrumentals a bit more.

What I did'nt like...

For an Indian, the dialogues in English make the movie less authentic.

Hollywood comedies have scenes related to puking and worse. It probably appeals to a western sense of humour. Also they have not experienced true poverty for quite some time now. I did not find the autograph scene funny.

Dev Patel (adult Jamal Malik) is a complete miscast. Not his fault. He looks completely middle class throughout and too soft. Other points

• The call center being so dark .. looks odd.
• Policeman chasing the kids deep into the slums. When did they get so motivated?
• Missing to capture positive aspects of Mumbai. Having lived there, I should know.
• The kid dressed as Ram, looks contrived to fit in with the answer.
• The gangster's house with just one chowkidar.
  
• Mahesh Manjrekar does a poor job as one.
  

All in all it was a bit underwhelming, but ok to see once.

Dasvidaniyan - the best good bye ever

I saw 'Dasvidaniyan' recently, recommend it strongly. Vinay Pathak was outstanding, same with other players in small roles esp. Saurabh Shukla, Ranvir Shorey and Neha Dhupia. I have yet to see 'Mithya' from this team.

Rajat Kapoor's movies remind me of the Hrishikesh Mukherjee movies of yore. Neat stories, small budgets, middle class focussed, smooth flowing presentation and usually careful with their songs. The actors in these are usually the ones who mix their theatre backgrounds with niche movie careers, so performance is usually not an issue.

Look forward to more such productions, I like them. Not that other kind of movies are exempt, right from moronic action/comedies to pure bollywood masala, all have their place :-). But these are the ones to go see with the family

Young people die for old men

The Mumbai terror attacks brought to mind this quote from the movie Lawrence of Arabia as said by the Feisal

'Young men make wars, and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men – courage and hope for the future. Then old men make the peace, and the vices of peace are the vices of old men – mistrust and caution. It must be so.'

There is no Jannat for the young. Just a wasted young life for the ambitions, prejudices and fantasies of old men.