what does a slumdog possibly could know?

Rating: 10/10 (21 February 2009)

Slumdog millionaire has lived up to its hype and then some. This small David of an indie with a big heart is surely an indisputable favorite going into the finals, knocking away many a Goliath out of its way to victory. What a journey.
There were some detractors, some who felt it was over hyped, and some who went to the extent of scheming sinister designs to bring down its chances of winning. But SM has to fulfill its destiny, and it is on its dream run. There is no one stopping this.
What a night it will be when the child actors Rubina Ali, and Azharuddin, the slum urchins of Dharavi Slums, strutting on the red carpets at the Kodak theater hobnobbing and rubbing shoulders with the A listed Hollywood stars? An opportunity which many a 'B'ig Indian movie stars could not get in their entire life of work in the industry. Such a rags to riches has come to the little pair of uneducated, dirt poor kids. Believe me, the entire world media's attention will be focused on these two unlikely stars of Mumbai.
As I have been following the dream run of this movie, i am beginning to believe that this indeed has to be written. Arindham and his ilk, in my opinion has got it all wrong. In all their eloquent diatribes and rants, masquerading behind a mistaken patriotism, they have been barking up the wrong tree. I hope come Sunday night, these detractors who dissed this movie, will have to eat their own dirt. What is funny is that some who trashed the binding element of destiny in the story line, are the ones who would look up to astrology, numerology, horoscopes, auspicious times and vastu sashtra!
It is just not mere luck which chanced up on this genre defying movie, but real quality workmanship in almost all the departments. It is evident in the way it is winning awards in whatever forum or guilds it is reviewed, The work done in this movie is the envy of many other professionals in this industry the world over. They would die to get this sort of recognition.
Take for example Resul Pookutty of kerala the sound engineer. I saw the movie for a second time to enjoy its technical brilliance. Resul has done a marvelous job. He has brought the real life sound and feel of the maximum city to the screen. I am sure he is going to walk away with the golden statue. As for ARR, I concede that his work in this movie is not as great as what he had done in some of his masterpieces for the Indian movies. His score in Lagaan and DevDas will surely stand the test of time. But those were done for a typical Indian consumption. But in SM he has really done a global cross over. Imagine a Hindi song getting an Oscar. The frantic editing, the wonderful screenplay and great direction from a master story teller have all added feather to its cap. A true accomplishment.
Every movie pundit has predicted its win. The timing of this movie and the message of grit and hope it carries has resonated with the people world over who are weary of the world economic recession. It gives them the hope that not all is lost, things will become OK if you hang in there. Luck would favour you if you tread the straight path with perseverance. With a wind on its back and spring on its feet, Slumdog will walk into the California sunset with the sweep of the movie glory.
In the movie when Jamal returns to the studio sets of Who Wants to be a Millionaire after the police interrogation for his 20 million rupee question, he runs into a poor lady at a traffic stop. On recognition it is Jamal she excitedly wishes him heartily.
"Jamal, son is it you? You have my blessings, go win it all"
That poor lady's wishes rings prophetic now. Tune into Sunday night's Oscars to witness Slumdog Millionaire make movie history.
Destiny is already in the envelope, sealed. It is written. And my final answer is...
Jai Ho.