Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire
Introduction
Movies are precisely a vivid account of real life situation, which is
dissimilar to a written work. It is evident that every staged movie has its
own intention, which is mainly to pass information to the target audience.
Consequently, the audience perception of the subject being addressed in
the movie changes. Similarly, slumdog millionaire portrays the Indian
culture, though quite small but a considerable part. From the name of the
movie, one can conclude that it is acted in slums of Mumbai. It is a story
of a slum orphan who survives brutally and rises from rags to riches
(Boyle, 2008). Minor thief, stuck in dreadful poverty, Jamal makes his way
and succeeds. A keen observation into this movie will reveal how
traditional this movie is underneath, implying that this film bridges the
two Indian societies, both traditional and modern by. India is one of the
developing nations characterized by the ever-increasing slum dwellers.
Slumdog millionaire is a clear illustration of slum lifestyle in the modern
lifestyle, bringing forth urban poverty in India. The Indian Diaspora had
critical reception towards the movie; this is attributed to the rich Indian
culture that is vastly recognized globally. It fetched both positive and
negative response across India and the entire world. The film can be
compared to those who assist in fighting for the poor. Additionally, it has
been an area under discussion to academic criticism among scholars
(Glover, 2001). Conversely, it is most likely to impart negative attitudes to
slum dwellers, by supporting policies that deprive of slum dwellers selfrespect, power and dignity. This paper evaluates the content in the movie
and
the
culture
of
the
region
in
all
areas.
The action takes place in Mumbai, where Jamal Malik, a slum dweller
contests in who want to be a millionaire? As he nears winning the prize,
he is detained and questioned by the police. He is suspected of cheating
since he knows all the answers. Jamals story with his brother, Salim, is
revealed through flashback. At the age of five, he acquired an autograph
of a star which Salim later sells. Later, during the Bombay riots his mother
passed away and as they flee away, they meet Latika, another slum
dweller. Salim is reluctant to take her, but Jamal finally convinces him. The
three team up with Maman, who is a gangster and manipulates street
children to become beggars. At some point, Jamal and Salim survived by

hawking goods in train, pick-pocketing, dishwashers, and pretending to be
tour guides at Taj Mahal, which vividly shows how street kids struggle to
survive due to neglect of the society. Latika was trained to become a
prostitute by Maman, and the brothers saved her, this portrays a rotten
society that hosts the street kids. Jamal who had earlier lost contact with
Malik makes another contact with Latika when features in a show who
wants to be a millionaire, intentionally knowing that Latika watches the
show. He makes it to the final despite the hostility of the shows host, who
subjects him to police interrogation accusing him of cheating. He is finally
allowed back to the show because he gives honest explanations. Salim
asks Latika for forgiveness, gives him his car keys, and asks him to go to
Jamal.
Immense number of problems characterizes slums socially and physically.
The most outstanding one is the lack of improper housing. The large
population that resides in slums is a factor that leads to the emergence of
immoral conduct in the society. Latika is a teenage girl, forced to engage
in prostitution due to poverty. Indian tradition shows that high-class
prostitution existed in the form of celestial demigods, also known as
menaka rambha (India Dept. of Culture, 2002). Ancient times described
prostitutes as feminine charms. Even historical Indian rulers like pandavas
had many prostitutes during their reign. It is quite evident that prostitution
is familiar in India according to their myths, and slumdog borrows the idea
and to educate the Indian society and the entire on the dangers of
prostitution.
There is an aspect of human manipulation and lack of self-respect as
portrayed by the film. Maman trains street kids to be beggars for his own
selfish reasons. People like Maman represent the outside world that sees
an opportunity in slum dwellers and seizes it to become wealthy. In the
film, he trains Jamal and Salim to become beggars but eventually escapes
after realizing they were being used. Therefore, it reveals the social
manipulation that is rooted in the Indian culture. Additionally, slum
dwellers are engraved in poverty because they are willing to do anything
to earn a living, which further aggravates the rise of unsocial human
behavior in the society. The movie is a typical representation of slum life
not only in India but also in the entire world. It shows what this people
believe
in
and
how
the
outside
world
perceives
them.
Humanity is the ability to allow others to be first and put aside your own
self-interest, feeling other peoples pain (Glover, 2001). In a modern world,
which is changing at remarkably faster pace has resulted to people failing
to understand themselves and even lack concern to study themselves and
others. Humans are animals with matchless capability; we can think
understand and even express ourselves. The Indian culture seems to have
lost its humanity; the film depicts this from the way Maman handles street
kids. Salim also lacks the virtue of understanding though he constantly
asks for forgiveness from his brother whenever he wrongs him. Jamal is
viewed among Indians who are human, despite the fact that he loves
Latika,
he
wishes
well
to
her
(Glover,
2001).
Another clear characteristic of the Indian community brought forth in the

film, is hard work and struggle. Presently, India is one of the countries that
are experiencing advancement in economic development, as shown by
the increase inventions in technology and medicine. Jamal tries hard until
he makes his way up to be recognized by the world, his honesty proves
him innocent and earns a chance to get back to the show confirming his
high
level
of
intelligence.
In conclusion, India has a diverse and rich culture, perceived differently

across the universe. The film was controversial to Indians who felt it was
negatively influencing their culture. Some members of the public criticized
the release of the film saying that in exaggerates the poverty in India. Just
as any other developing nation India faces social problems similar to what
the film content; therefore, the situation in India is most likely to be in
other third world countries. Prostitution is one of the significant social
problems in the society. Prostitution erodes humanity and makes
immorality thrive at a faster rate. It is a culture that should be abandoned
and the state needs to improvise regulations that curb prostitution. Selfesteem needs to be cultivated among the society that trades on
dangerous grounds of human and social manipulation for self-gain. The
improvement in Indias economy is attributed to the hard work of Indians
as portrayed by Jamal in the film. The film is a comprehensive image of
how the Indian culture is viewed by the world and serves to expose the
weakness of the Indian culture.
References
Boyle,
D.
(Director).
(2008).
slumdog
millionaire
[Motion
Picture].
Glover, J. (2001). Humanity: a moral history of the twentieth century. New

Yok:
Yale
University
Press.
India. Dept. of Culture. (2002). Indian culture: tradition & continuity. New
Delhi: Dept. of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Govt. of India.

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Slumdog Millionaire

children to become beggars. At some point, Jamal and Salim survived by

Another clear characteristic of the Indian community brought forth in the

In conclusion, India has a diverse and rich culture, perceived differently

Glover, J. (2001). Humanity: a moral history of the twentieth century. New

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