To me, it seemed that the filmmakers behind Slumdog Millionaire started out with the concept of the great pipe dream via a contest where millions of cash are at stake. The word ‘millionaire’ just has to be in the very title of the game show that will be used. Since drama is all about conflict, they looked for the juxtaposition of millions and found slums in the equation.
Next, they made their minds wander and thought of how best to visualize slums. Ergo, the famed slums of Bombay. Thus, was born a movie about the Western definition of pipe dream juxtaposed with the most graphic visualization of why one would thirst for that pipe dream.
Slumdog Millionaire is pornography of poverty. It panders to the basic instincts of pity and fear (and there’s nothing Aristotelian about it), while raking in profits. Its irresponsible filmmakers wanted to cash in on the rich visuals of a land that they have done great disservice to. There is nothing to celebrate with that film as it leaves a bad taste. I commiserate with the people of India for being used in this pornography. I say shame to Indian authorities who allowed the filming of this movie on Indian turf. Do they realize what they did to their countrymen in the process?
I feel oppressed because of that film even if I’m not an Indian. I feel the attitude of condescension that the lofty Western filmmakers had on the Indian people. Did I feel grateful for my state after I saw the film? Hell, no! In fact, there are some things I’m dying to tell the filmmakers. One, not India nor the whole of Third World has the franchise on slums. Two, the social malaise and degradation in slums are not unique to Mumbai, so the filmmakers could have used generic slums. Three, c’mon, cannibalizing car parts is much more rampant in US and UK. And four, if anyone wants to make a parody of Bollywood, at least pay tribute to it.
