An awesome movie, based on true facts

Rating: 9/10 (24 December 2008)

I didn't read Vikas Swarup's book, but I can tell you for certain, that this is one movie which you can see without reading the book and feel bad about it later. Slumdog is a refreshing movie, one which I for one hope will open the gates of Bollywood to the Western world, if it hasn't already. It shows the character of Mumbai, the heart of India, the financial hub. Starting from the communal riots to the life of poverty that is led by the homeless. The cruelty inflicted on them, the inhumanity makes your heart go out.
The scene where young Jamal gets kicked in the face by the cab driver when he sees that his cab has been ransacked, and Jamal says,"You wanted to see the real India, this is it!!" What an ironic and true statement!!
This movie apparently has all the qualities of a typical Bollywood flick, but yet so different. Firstly the excellent screenplay and casting of characters. The sequence of young Jamal explaining to the American couple about the Taj Mahal was hilarious. Also the scene when the evil Maman gouges the eye out of a boy, so that he can earn more,just because he has a special talent in singing.(Trust me folks, such things happen, and even more worse things too) You can shudder at the gore, and your heart will go out when a grown up Jamal sees him later and gives him the 100$ because he wants to, makes your heart go out to the poor kid.
The casting, I felt was brilliant. Right from the young Jamal and Salim to the middle-aged Jamal and Salim, it was absolutely awesome, and Danny Boyle got the best out of both the actors. Of course Dev Patel, himself was brilliant as well, so was Anil Kapoor as the shrewd, evil host of the show.
The film also has its bit for the Western Audience, and the ones who don't understand Hindi, in an innovative way of putting in subtitles. The music, is also too good. A.R. Rahman does it again, like he has done so many times, and an Oscar nod may be on its way, it was a long time coming.
Not going to harp on the story, since the trailer pretty much gives you an idea about it. But I'll just sign off saying Kudos to Danny Boyle and the "Slumdog Millionaire" team for this wonderful movie.