Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire
Name	Slumdog Millionaire
Director	Danny Boyle
Producer	Christian Colson
Screenplay	Simon Beaufoy
Based on	''Q & A'' by Vikas Swarup
Starring	Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan
Music	A. R. Rahman
Cinematography	Anthony Dod Mantle
Editing	Chris Dickens
Studio	Celador, Film4 Productions
Distributor	Fox Searchlight Pictures
Released	2008
Runtime	120 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English, Hindi
Budget	$15 million
Gross	$377.9 million

Slumdog Millionaire. It is a 2008 epic drama film directed by Danny Boyle and co-directed by Loveleen Tandan. The screenplay by Simon Beaufoy is adapted from the novel ''Q & A'' by Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup. Set in Mumbai, the film tells the story of Jamal Malik, a young man from the Dharavi slum who becomes a contestant on the Indian version of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, astonishing the nation and arousing the suspicion of the authorities. A critical and commercial success, it is celebrated for its vibrant direction, A. R. Rahman's score, and its portrayal of contemporary India.

Plot

The narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks as Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old chaiwala from the Dharavi slums, is interrogated by Mumbai police after appearing on the game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Hosted by the cynical Prem Kumar, Jamal is one question away from winning 20 million rupees, leading the show's producers and police inspector Irrfan Khan to believe he is cheating. Each question he answers correctly triggers a memory from his tumultuous childhood with his brother Salim and his lifelong love, Latika. These memories, spanning events like the Bombay riots, encounters with gangster Javed in Agra, and life as an orphaned street child, provide him with the specific knowledge needed to progress on the show, ultimately revealing his quest to reunite with Latika.

Production

Development began when producer Christian Colson of Celador acquired the rights to Vikas Swarup's novel ''Q & A''. Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy conducted extensive research in India, visiting Mumbai and its slums to craft an authentic script. Danny Boyle was brought on to direct, collaborating with Indian co-director Loveleen Tandan for cultural authenticity. Principal photography took place in Mumbai and other parts of India in 2007, with cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle. The film features a mix of professional actors like Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan and non-professional children discovered from local communities. The score was composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar, and features the hit song "Jai Ho".

Release

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2008, where it was acquired for distribution by Fox Searchlight Pictures. It saw a limited theatrical release in the United States and United Kingdom in November and December 2008, followed by a wide release in January 2009. In India, it was released by Warner Bros. Pictures and faced some controversy over its title and depiction of poverty. The film's release was strategically timed to qualify for the 81st Academy Awards.

Reception

Critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, with praise for Danny Boyle's energetic direction, Simon Beaufoy's screenplay, the performances of Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, and the music of A. R. Rahman. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports a 91% approval rating. Some criticism in India focused on perceived poverty porn and stereotyping. Commercially, it was a major sleeper hit, grossing over $377 million worldwide against a $15 million budget, becoming one of Fox Searchlight Pictures' most successful releases.

Awards

The film achieved unprecedented awards success, most notably at the 81st Academy Awards where it won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Danny Boyle, and Best Original Score for A. R. Rahman. It also won seven BAFTA Awards, including Best Film, and four Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. The song "Jai Ho" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Cultural impact

The film had a significant global cultural impact, popularizing Bollywood dance and music in Western mainstream culture, exemplified by the worldwide success of the "Jai Ho" soundtrack. It launched the international careers of actors Dev Patel and Freida Pinto and brought increased attention to the work of composer A. R. Rahman. The film's depiction of Mumbai and the Dharavi slum influenced tourism and discourse on urban poverty in India. Its underdog story and rags-to-riches theme became a cultural touchstone, and its success is often cited as a landmark moment for crossover cinema between Hollywood and Indian cinema.

Category:2008 films Category:British drama films Category:Academy Award for Best Picture winners