A Bollywood sprinkled Hollywood movie - must watch!

Rating: 9/10 (10 December 2008)

The making of the film is very Hollywood, but the script is very Bollywood! And I don't mean anything in a sarcastic way - this is truly an amazing collaboration!
The Bollywood has been producing dreamy, Utopian, feel-good (or sometimes bad), heart-over-mind, good-over-evil scripts for ages, and it has not only worked for thriving industry, but is slowly expanding way beyond Indian subcontinent. So something that appeals to may be couple of billions of people can't be wrong - can it?
On the other hand, Hollywood takes keen interest in realistic, mind-over-heart, fact-over-belief scripts. Nothing wrong with that either.
This movie brings the best of both - you cannot afford to miss it. The story will keep you engaged from the word go. Very able acting by the newcomers, Dev Patel (Jamal) as a spl mention. But the young slum urchins played by child actors are absolutely fantastic!
Cinematography is pure master craftsmanship - hardly seen Mumbai (Bombay) in such vivid visuals!
A.R.Rahman's music brings a bit of unconventionality - miles apart from his bollywood affair, and rightfully so!
This kid in the movie reminds me of a clip of a young urchin near a tourist place in India, who has picked up conversation in many languages just trying to sell something to international tourists. (Watch: youtube watch?v=DZOwvQRs-W0). That kid never went to school, yet he can carry on a conversation in more languages than any of us can!
Coming back to the movie: 2 words: WATCH IT!