Skip navigation

Now that Oscar loves Slumdog, so does India

STEPHANIE NOLEN

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:15 PM EST 25/02/09

Initially critical, Indians now hail Slumdog Millionaire's success as a win for the whole country ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. Sooty Harry from Toronto, Canada writes: Slumdog is a master piece. It is only now that Hollywood discovers the many talents of Bollywood. There is more to come. Bollywood is the superpower of moviedom.
  2. Golden Locks from Obama Land, United States writes: What a disgraceful movie exploiting the poorest of the poor in India and children at that. The industry sank to a new low. I refuse to watch it. Shame, shame, shame.
  3. Sooty Harry from Toronto, Canada writes: Miley Cyrus, Drew Barrymore, Lindsay Lohan were all child stars. Why is it when India uses child stars, it becomes exploitation.
  4. a z from India writes: i just happened to read the article and cud not contain myself from reacting. i feel the author has not done his homework. he mentions that a number of people skipped work or school to watch the oscars. however, the fact is that there was a public holiday in some states in the country. it is sad that the contents are not verified and posted.

    as regards one comment,on child labor, i feel the people who make them work are equally responsible, so the blame is partly on the west too and cannot be brushed aside.
  5. Jesu Pifco from Canada writes: Sooty Harry,

    You've got the word "star" confused with the word "actor". The Indian kids are/were not "stars", like the Americans you cite, and certainly didn't get into acting the usual way. However if you just stick to "child actors" you have a valid question.

    I have not seen the flick as yet and despite all the buzz am in no great hurry, but I would not condemn it outright, Golden Locks, without having done so. I have seen many such kids, all over India. A bit dirty and dishevelled, but ready with a smile or laugh in most encounters. The charge of exploitation a tough one, but I'd have to say that ANY break a poor child (or adult) can get is deserved in a country where most everyone has to take care of one's self and family with little or no hope for assistance.
  6. Grampa Canuck from Belleville, ON, Canada writes: "Now that Oscar loves Slumdog, so does India". Don't tell me that India has the Canadian disease: if it comes out of your country, it's only good if the Americans validate it.
  7. Sooty Harry from Toronto, Canada writes: a z from India writes:

    "as regards one comment,on child labor, i feel the people who make them work are equally responsible, so the blame is partly on the west too and cannot be brushed aside. "

    Agree with you 100%.

    Nobody seem to point the finger at the British producer and director.
  8. Sean Connery from Canada writes: It's only temporary love.

    There will be a new flavour next year. It's the American way.
  9. snowy lander from Edmonton, Canada writes: Mr. Connery - it is better to have been loved and lost, than to have never been loved at all. Ok so i had to change the quote a bit.
  10. Al B from Canada writes: Sooty Harry from Toronto, Canada writes: "Slumdog is a master piece. It is only now that Hollywood discovers the many talents of Bollywood. There is more to come. Bollywood is the superpower of moviedom. "

    This certainly isn't a Bollywood movie. Bollywood is way too weird to cross over.
  11. Steve is reporting LIVE from the US / Canuckistani border from Canada writes:

    What is a Slumdog???
    I know of horndogs. I be of that variety.
  12. Sandy G. from Canada writes: My Indian friends tell me that what is most annoying about this movie are the British accents on supposedly Indian characters. That's understandable. Anyone remember the Kevin Spacey movie, "Shipping News" and those horrible so-called Newfoundlander accents? Lame, lame, lame.
  13. J Nigh from Toronto, Canada writes: Golden Locks, please spare us your condemnation of a movie you've never seen. You simply don't know what you're talking about.

    As far as the children are concerned, the film maker has set up a trust for the kids and put them in good schools that they would never otherwise have had access to, and they receive the funds from their trust if they stay in school when they graduate. These children would likely otherwise have had no chance to break out of the poverty they were born into, but thanks to this film, and the foresight of Danny Boyle's financial arrangements for them, they have a much brighter future ahead of them.

    And the rest of you moralizing about children working ought to consider that many children in India would literally starve to death if they didn't work. There is no social safety net there as exists here; no welfare to go to, no food banks, etc. It is precisely with all this in mind that Indian gov'ts have set in place food programmes in elementary schools and high schools, guaranteeing children at least one good meal a day, in order to win over the hungry. You don't solve the problem of exploitation of child workers by putting them into greater need, as removing their income without setting any alternative in place would do; rather, you do it by breaking the cycle of poverty to begin with.
  14. Dick Garneau from Canada writes: Maybe the next Oscars presentations should be made in Bollywood.

    I haven't seen the movie but it's on my to see list.

    Way to go India.

    Let us remember the economic recession is hitting India, as hard as the rest of the world, good news is always helpful.
    .
  15. Notapseudointellectual . from Canada writes: This was not a true Bollywood movie per say - it was made by a British director. The day real Bollywood movies start winning Oscars, I hope to be dead.
  16. Deas, She Wrote from New York, United States writes: Amazing movie - shocking and inspiring and gladening (yeah, words fail me). I'm very happy that it won, and that the child actors have a better future ahead of them.

    Golden Locks, I don't understand what you mean by "exploiting" or by grumbling "Bah humbug!" The world has now seen a Dickensian culture that condemns millions of children to short, painful lives, and as a result, those millions of children may have a better life. If you care about those people, you SHOULD go see the movie, and then encourage your family and friends to see it. And then use their new-found awareness and concern to help make changes.
  17. Joe V from Canada writes: "...half of India skipped work or school to watch TV...."

    That, plus their uncontrollable population growth rate, succinctly summarizes why I will never invest in India.
  18. VRM Toronto from Canada writes: Al B from Canada writes " This certainly isn't a Bollywood movie. Bollywood is way too weird to cross over"

    How many Bollywood movies have you seen Mister?
  19. Banofee Pie from Canada writes: Why so negative? This was a wonderful movie. The children who acted in this movie did a marvellous job. As for exploiting, give me a break. These kids were given the opportunity of a lifetime, AND they were flown all the way to Hollywood for the Oscars. It was a dream for them. The comraderie on the set was evident by the speeches given and the gratitude shown from all levels to not just the actors but the city of Mumbai.

    So what, because India has these slums, no movie should depict them? Indian movies do it all the time. It's the reality of the country. It's part of the city landscape.

    This was a lovely movie and a wonderful story. I say congratulations to everyone who worked together so well to make it happen, and on a very limited budget. And good on Anil Kapoor for donating all his earnings to Plan International.

    Sorry, just had to add the positive side to this story. What a bunch of negative, hateful posts here. Unnecessary.
  20. Jack Bilanski from Canada writes: Big deal! Is the insecure India so desperate for some love? This is only a British B-movie exposing the ugliest side, among others, of India. What is there to rejoice in? People should be embarrassed they have such a crappy government who can't even provide the basic services for their citizen. I bet you, in a few months, all will be forgotten and the corrupt and lazy government will remain so. So as the predicament of the poor kids not starred in this overrated movie.
  21. Neela Kapoor from montreal, Canada writes: Wow, Stephanie, a couple of months on the job and you can hardly keep your contempt for India and Indians from dripping onto the page. I gave you the benefit of the doubt, unlike others, when you started, but it's now clear you have no understanding or affinity for the country you are reporting on. 'Half of India' does not give a sh*t about Slumdog, and the other half did not 'skip work' to watch the Oscars. You are a loon. Where are you, sitting in some five-star, doing the cocktail circuit at night? Christ G and M - with so many Indian journalists in TO, WHY CAN"T YOU GET SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE COUNTRY TO REPORT ON IT?????
  22. George BrownIII from Christmas Island writes: And it is now up to the CBC to make "reserve dog millionaire". Oh no that would be exploitation.
  23. Allan FJoy from Canada writes: Lol, Exploiting children? How about maybe this might shine a light on the conditions in Mumbai. Different ways of looking at this. Uuuhm, by the way this is a movie. Not reality. Some of you are way too serious. Wanna be movie critics. Can't imagine you surviving with these children, they would eat you alive. Sheltered namby pamby intellectuals.
  24. Veerendra Ayushman from Canada writes: The movie is not Bollywood. You could see it at the Oscars - Producer, Director, ScreenWriter all non- Indians. Just because they used a few prominent Bollywood actors hardly means it's Bollywood. And what does "Now that Oscar loves Slumdog, so does India," mean? The dripping sarcasm...

    This movie won the Oscars simply for the reason it was directed by a non-Indian. Similar movies in line with the theme of Slumdog have been made in the past by Indian directors but have never been picked up or mentioned by the International media. Check out Madhur Bhandarkar's three movies : Page 6, Traffic and Fashion. If Slumdog could get an Oscar I don't see why not Page 6?

    A lot of Indian actors do yearn for Oscar fame as they have pretty much achieved everything they could domestically but again the only reason why they fail is in not understanding the western psyche. Lately, a lot of Bollywood directors and actors have drifted from the candyfloss movies of Bollywood but at a great price. These movies don't generate the kind of money staple Bollywood movies do.
  25. Me against hordes of braindead zombies from Canada writes:

    Proud of what? A dirty, smelly, God-forsaken slum? And there are numerous replicas all over India. Freaking politicians!
  26. sur. kai from london, United Kingdom writes: Who care about this movie ? Oscars or no Oscars, when poor people in India are starving, go live in India for a year and see for yourself, The director sure did exploit the situation,
  27. lynn R from Canada writes: How come my first comment got disappeared? I didn't say anything offensive. This is so called freedom of Speech? G&M Editors???

    here is my first comment:

    I find it is funny that a country with large population like india has no own opinion about their own movie, in contrary, is influenced and led by Oscar. lol.

    Americans are so celebrity-obssessed, while India is so Oscar-obssessed.

    Especially, half of those hollywood movie stars behave like m0r0ns most of time.
  28. Avtar Wasson from Canada writes: Slumdog Millionaire is an excellent movie. I watched it before it received any of the nominations and awards. Stephanie makes at least one factual error in her reporting. All three Indian recipients of Oscars were not Muslims. Lyricist Gulzar is not a Muslim. His full name is Sampooran Singh Gulzar, possibly a Sikh. Gulzar is an Urdu/Persian name and is quite common in the Punjab. I also doubt if more than a Billion Indians watched the Oscars but I guess she meant many Indians did.
  29. Michael Rudin from United States writes: lynn R from Canada Ever been to India or read Indian publications? Indians are far more obsessed by Bollywood stars than are Americans. They national heroes, not just movie stars.
    Bollywood movies are generally unrealistic, simplistic and generally do not deal with the lives of ordinary Indians or social commentary.
    Indians, of course are entitled to an opinion but this is not an Indian movie, it is a movie about Indians. Extremely poor ones who make up a great portion of Indian’s population and whom most Indians would rather sweep under the rug.
    Many great movies have been made about people in dire need. Writing and making movies about horrible situations is not exploitation.
  30. Lexus Spyder from Toronto, Canada writes: .

    Joe V from Canada writes: "...half of India skipped work or school to watch TV...."

    That, plus their uncontrollable population growth rate, succinctly summarizes why I will never invest in India.

    ------------

    Joe's statements are strange. Those are not criteria for investment. The quantum of returns, the mechanism for returns, the amount of witholding tax, the amount of income tax etc etc are criteria for prudent and rational investment. India is not a place I will visit or live/stay, but certainly a place I would invest as a sound investor. Joe i think has an ulterior agenda, and is not an investor at all.

    .
  31. LeVawn Gravenstach from HarperCons made a financial offer to buy Cadman's vote -- see Crim Code s.119, writes: ... then all the reindeers loved him
    and they shouted out with glee
    Slumdog the red nosed reindeer,
    you'll go down in history!
  32. Let's be reasonable from Canada writes: " .. half of India skipped work or school to watch TV, and no one remembered they ever had anything but love the film."

    This country has a population of more than a billion people. My estimate is at least three quarters of the population do not know what the Oscars are, and do not care. Generalizations about a billion people makes for poor journalism.
  33. Nazir Patel from Toronto, Canada writes: Another article states that Rehman has sold 100 millions records worldwide. I would like to know the real numbers.
    As for Amitabh Bachchan India's legendary actor wrote on his blog congratulating Gulzar , Rehman and Resul but did not mention the other cast members inclusive of Best Director Danny Boyle.
    Check out his blog which is really good. Amitabh is a great writer and inspite of his hectic schedule finds the time to write a daily blog.
    Another actor who is very popular ShahRukh Khan had turned down the role that went to Anil Kapoor who played the host in the movie but ShahRukh has said that he is happy for Anil Kapoor. ShahRukh was busy with two other movies at the time he was offered the role and could not accept Danny's offer.
  34. Al B from Canada writes: VRM Toronto from Canada writes:

    "How many Bollywood movies have you seen Mister?"

    Thankfully for my sanity, none in its entirety; the dancing makes me cringe and some of singing, only dogs can hear. And what's your point? Slumdog is not a Bollywood movie, the end.
  35. Republic of Saturn from Canada writes:
    The article just shows how easily Indians can be brainwahsed, nothing else.

    India is a typical class society, the upper class simple ignore the existence of poor. But when west puts something to say: hey, your poor is really not that bad, the rich Indians will come out replying: yeah so good, we have a lot here.

    Both will forget them in less than one month.
  36. Pretty Much from Toronto, Canada writes: This is NOT a bollywood movie by any means!

    Thank god none of the typical "bolywood" actors like Amitabh bachchan, aishwarya, preity etc.. got to walk the red carpet. I find them all annoying and pompous.
  37. Pretty Much from Toronto, Canada writes: This article is wayyy out to lunch! Gulzar is Sikh not Muslim! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulzar_(lyricist)
  38. AnitaSharmaBlog.com - from Toronto, Canada writes: Her articles are getting tougher to read. Fact-checking is poor (ie. Gulzar) and most people in India don't give a cr@p about the Oscars. The Indian politicians are simply being diplomatic - nothing wrong with that. I'm sure there are great stories to tell from there. Looking forward to reading those...
  39. DDB 9000 from Ithaca, NY, United States writes:
    VRM Toronto writes: "Al B writes: 'This certainly isn't a Bollywood movie. Bollywood is way too weird to cross over' How many Bollywood movies have you seen Mister?"

    VRM Toronto...

    I, unlike Al B have sat through entire Bollywood films (about 5 or 6 if my memory is right), and must say I agree partially with him. I find the dancing parts hard to deal with, but that's because I am not a big fan of dancing from anywhere, be it India or North America or elsewhere. I have never been a fan of musicals (film or stage) for the most part (most American musicals make me cringe, and so I do not watch them), but I do enjoy Indian music (both popular and classical) and suggest to Al B that his comments about dogs is a bit rude and unnecessary.

    But he is correct in referring to Bollywood films being "weird". Of course this comes from North Americans, and what we are used to in terms of films. Yes, they are weird, but sometimes greatly so (I mean this in a good way). And although I was not so thrilled with many of the dancing scenes, the Bollywood films I've seen, on the whole, I've enjoyed.

    But I think the bigger stumbling block, bigger than the all-dancing, all-singing scenes, is the length of the films. As an avid viewer of foreign films (those outside of North America), I am used to films that are longer, although I must admit Bollywood films do almost tax my limit. I think that most Americans (and some Canadians) are just not ready for long films, with the possible exception of some of those special effects-laden comic book/fantasy films and the like (no offense there, fanboys - I enjoy some of those too). Most people here have problems even getting to the 2 hour length, and with many Bollywood films clocking in at 3 hours and more, I think it would be a very hard sell to get the vast North American viewing public to watch them...

    Oh, and yes, Slumdog Millionaire is NOT a Bollywood film, in my opinion
  40. Tyler Healey from Canada writes: STEPHANIE NOLEN, Shame on you for bringing your divisive western politics into India again. I am sure you go about your day in India with a broad smile on your face and then write hate inciting article to no end in newspapers.

    She also goes on to claim that the conversion to Islam is a story oft repeated. If that was the case than there wont be 800 plus Hindus in India. Also Rehman converted to Sufi Islam because of its teaching that devotion to god through music is one of the ways of reaching through to god and not because of any other motives that Nolen suggests very tacitly.

    This movie is a case of Sikhs(Gulzar), Christians(Freida Pinto), Hindu (anil kapoor) and Muslims (Rehman) working together for a common goal which is an everyday story in India.

    Ofcourse, there is religious tension in a few instances. But look at the Mumbai attacks, was there any back lash against the muslims as a result of it? On the other hand the Americans went on the overdrive with hate crimes against Muslims and suspected muslims(sikhs) skyrocketing over night.

    SHAME ON YOU NOLEN.

Comments are closed

Thanks for your interest in commenting on this article, however we are no longer accepting submissions. If you would like, you may send a letter to the editor.

Report an abusive comment to our editorial staff

close

Alert us about this comment

Please let us know if this reader’s comment breaks the editor's rules and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.

Do not use this to complain about comments that don’t break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.

Back to top