Slumdog: There's more to India than just poverty
Many Indian-Americans are disappointed with the movie ���Slumdog Millionaire���. This is the opinion of thousands of people who have signed a petition on petitiononline.com/slumdog. I hope that viewers can see India for its diversities and not a hell
’SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE’ won four Golden Globes and is on the way to the Oscars. Great. The underdog with an Indian connection has won. I am one of the biggest fans of Rahman and have heard his music for the film. Then I saw the movie. ‘Slumdog’, is no underdog.
Isn’t India poor?
India is a vast and diverse country and is a statistician’s dream. Figures can be twisted anyway. But the fact is that while the poverty rate in India was 40 per cent five years back, it was 60 per cent 25 years back. A 20 per cent jump translates to approximately 200 million people breaking out of poverty line. India has a 300 million strong middle class. While it is a fact that there is still unacceptable poverty in India a clear majority in India are not extremely poor as portrayed in the movie. Still showing extreme poverty is fine. But showing Indians as bloodthirsty, child-beating, eye-plucking people is outrageous.
Aren’t Indian slums are a living hell. Danny Boyle in his interview to an Indian publication has admitted that the slums in India are teaming with industries and entrepreneurs. But in the movie the only ’industry’ he has portrayed in the slums is begging, prostitution and shooting.
When a dollar isn’t a dollar
The most commonly quoted figure to paint India as an impoverished nation is quoting Indian salary in US dollars by using the exchange rate conversion. But a dollar-a-day isn’t really dollar-a-day in India; it is Rs 50-a-day. For many in US one dollar translates into one rupee. A doctor’s visit would be Rs 100 in Indian currency and at least $ 100 in America. Public transport, though very crowded and inefficient, works and a typical daily commute to and from work would be Rs 10 in India and $10 in America. Basic food items are highly subsidised for the poor people through a vast government network. Electricity is free in rural areas. Even the World Bank recognises the fallacies of using the exchange rate and has abandoned this in favour of Purchasing-Power-Parity. It is a pity that lot of publications, know about this and still use the raw exchange rate figures to make their point on poverty in India.
It is just a movie
“Just a movie” can change public perceptions. Even an over-the-top movie like ‘Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom’ was disastrous for changing the views of India for a generation of people. Kal Penn, the Indian American actor, said that after seeing the Indiana Jones movie, his American friends used to avoid him, thinking he eats monkey’s brains. The ‘Slumdog’ movie has been perceived as ‘real’ by the American and world media. Imagine the amount of profiling and impact this movie would have, especially on the lives of children of Indians abroad, who can’t defend themselves.
Do you remember the movie ‘Borat’. When it was released the Kazakistan Government immediately took out a full page ad in ‘New York Times’ talking about the good things that exist in their country. And that movie was just a comedy, which made more fun of Americans than Kazakistan. Why did they do that? Because they realised that it would be the first impression of their country for millions of people and wanted to set it right. From my experience an average American knows as much about India as we know about Kazakistan. Why do perceptions matter? They matter for the sake of our children, who should not hate India and for the sake of foreign investment. The poverty in India is decreasing because people are intelligent and also because of the foreign investment. However much you might lament about inequality of wealth in India, the fact is that in no democratic country in the world have so many people come out of poverty so soon. Of course, every person going hungry is a disgrace and in India there are still millions and millions of them.
One way to help such a huge number of people is by turning India into a communist country but communism has failed miserably or by trickle-down economics. The trickle-down economics has worked wonders in the last decade, despite all its imperfections. The last thing you want is something going wrong in top of the trickle-down economics. I have read lot of Americans saying that they don’t want to visit India after seeing the disgusting scenes. Is that the way to help poor people?
Isn’t the author of this movie an Indian?
Indians have a long history of degrading themselves in literature and in media. Maybe because some are ‘ultra-liberal’, maybe it is due to age-old perceptions, maybe some feel that they have to dance to the tune of their ‘Western-masters’. But the fact is that many Indians in media and literature perceive (rightly or wrongly is debatable) that their work will be published/seen/recognised only if they write something degrading about India and Indians. I hope that American people can see India for its glorious diversities and not a one-dimensional hell as portrayed in the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. I hope that the Oscar committee would see this movie as a con job to satisfy the Western thirst of superiority and not as ‘rags-to-riches’ story or ‘real’ portrayal of India.
.India is much more than the slums and poverty.I don't know why the intellectual people of India whom we consider elite writer they show the dark part of India. After watching Slumdog I was stunned by the pictures they have taken of India's slum.Even the awarded novelist and fiction writer also show DARK SIDE of India.That is really untolerable.India is the diverse country having beautiful thing in it.I think the writers have to show the best part of India.That will relief the common audience and also the readers.
.THIS MOVIE HAS DEPICTED GLOOMY PORTION OF SOME SEGMENTS IN INDIAN SOCIETY.INDIA AS A WHOLE IS NOT LIKE THIS.BUT THERE ARE SOME SEGMENTS WHICH HAS BEEN CORRECTLY DEPICTED IN THIS MOVIE.POVERTY IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE IN OUR COUNTRY AND WE CANNOT TURN OUR EYES AWAY FROM THAT...
.I disagree. We need to develop a sense of humro and sense of perspective. all u pundits who decry this portrayal wont help any of the "slumdogs" in any way. I know, because I was one in America. Time to say Garibi Hatao, and bring some much needed help to the worlds poor, many of whom reside in ghettoes and slums the world over. Banish poverty!!
.India is poor and wretched no doubt. Some artists make money by selling her destitution and despair. The West likes stories of India's backwardness and lack of hope. Be it Slumdog..., be it The White Tiger.
Why do you forget the Mumbai floods and the Katrina, makes one wonder what poverty is?
.People who say India is only slums are themselves living in a bubble and unfortunately they are considered intellectuals in India. Only Indians can be so negative about themselves. I think this piece is a very good attempt to make a point that there in indeed more to India than poverty.
.you don't seem to notice the hell that is right there at our doorsteps in India. Do you feel empathy for the street urchins in Delhi and Bombay? ALso read Adiga's novel 'White Tiger' . I am so glad that an energetic movie and a fast paced novel bring vividly to life -- expereinces from the other side of India which iquestion the 'superpower' notions that we seem to gloat in.
.What you saw is what India is. You said that India has 300 million strong middle class. But the poor both in rural and urban sector out number that figure. From this movie i hope that the strong 'middle class' and those in business and power will stop hoarding things for themselves but will learn to share resources for people living in abject poverty.
.I think we should see it as just a movie and allow the director cinematic creative license. The movie has an up-lifting message to western audiences, that whatever be economic or other hardships in life, there is no need to give in and develop a negative outlook of life.
.The title has two parts Slums and Millionaires co-exist with each other. This is a terrific concept to make a movie. India of 2008 is one of the rare countries where we can see both glitz (bollywood) and grind (slums and farmers commiting suicide)
.My views differ from few of you. I agree, I haven��t lived in a slum... It does not mean I haven��t worked for them or I haven��t been associated with it... It is easy to follow blogs and comment but difficult to understand their real needs and act on it. It is not about bragging what I have done for them but, it is important what I can do for them. How much do I understand them in real and not through media or movies!
Every democratic city/country in this world has had time to recover after getting independence. But for India it has been 61 Yrs (v/s Canada or US is >200 yrs). Especially when we have more stomachs to feed, it takes longer time to stabilize.
Creative part of life is about what value you can bring by real awareness and not by exaggerating it. With over 40 languages in use (not dialects) and many religions, we carry even opportunities for all. Though Muslims are one of the Minorities in India, we had a one of them as our President. In fact I personally liked him. India is one of the most secure countries in the world and has always demonstrated peace loving nature.
Slumdog Millionaire is an exaggerated movie. Most part of it is exaggerated to suit viewers.
Remember, media and violence has intensified together. Let us learn from it!
Understand, President of USA has a point to make if middle class family in India prospers (about 300million... size of US population)!
.Very well written. There are always two sides to the coin. In India...there are hundreds of sides. You have people who travel in bullock carts and people who travel in jet planes. You have illeterates and you have the techies. You have so many relgions so many languages. How can the director and film critics claim that he is showing real India by just showing slums?
Also remember the people who made us poor are the Britishers and the reason they could do it was by dviding us and undermining our self-confidence. Now just when Indians are becoming more confident, looks like they are at it again.
.I meant 400 Million people starving. Anyways.. India looks like bomb attack. Poor People everywhere, people taking crap in railroads.. seriously now, come on... Religious fights. Hindus killing Sikhs and Muslims. It's a mess!!
Go home, get your facts Right. No one is Killing Anyone here. It is only Media Projected. You being a Coward Indian, you have run out of the COuntry, instead of Staying here & making a difference to the people here. Look at people like Bhaskar. There are thousands of Such people in India & it is because of them that we are Prospering. Not because of people like you who Sit elsewhere, no nothing, but comment.
.When you have 400,000,000 million starve, would still call India a non-slum??
Coming from an Indo-Canadian.. My country is Canada not India. My Culture, yes but India really needs to work on fixing things. Bragging about their Millionaires doesn't do anything. Just means money not well spent. Look at their roads, infra-structure.
.hahaha....stupid review followed by some stupid comments...pricked your Indian pride eh....any one of you patriotic Indians actually lived in a slum, any one know what people there go through. The movie portrays reality...face it.... this is not the 1st movie about Indian slums and it wont be the last. if you have a problem with it make a movie that shows your version of Indian reality whatever that is.
.Ramesh, I back you on every bit of your message!
I endorse Amitabh Bhachan's comments... "This Movie is made for Western World".
In a world where creative thinking is the key to success, it is individuals who will have to take responsibility of what they protect.
.I totally agree with you Ramesh. It is as if you have read my mind. A Real Good Review. With the way they have Portrayed India & the inaction of Indian Govt to Counter the Portrayal, This will have a lasting wrong impression on the generations to come. Looking at the kind of Hype the Movie is getting, More & more people will watch the movie, only for the bad of India. Most Surprisingly, Indian Media is also Rallying behind the movie, than taking an exception to the one sided Portrayal. Going by the Wave, I am not surprised if it wins Oscar & establishes the Western Supremacy (indirectly!!!).
.I totally agree with you Ramesh. It is as if you have read my mind. A Real Good Review. With the way they have Portrayed India & the inaction of Indian Govt to Counter the Portrayal, This will have a lasting wrong impression on the generations to come. Looking at the kind of Hype the Movie is getting, More & more people will watch the movie, only for the bad of India. Most Surprisingly, Indian Media is also Rallying behind the movie, than taking an exception to the one sided Portrayal. Going by the Wave, I am not surprised if it wins Oscar & establishes the Western Supremacy (indirectly!!!).
.I watched the movie and feel that the Director/Producer have exploited the feelings of many Indians. I certainly don't agree that India is completely composed of SLUMS.
For a moment even if we agree to the above fact that the movie shows "Reality", why is the movie called "SlumDog ....". Is this a Pity feeling for people in Slums or is this an Insult for the poor little kids and others lives. I don't think "Dog" is a word to be used...
I think the Director has to worry about fixing his country problems where the christian groups are killing each other. Let him fix them as a priority before making fun of another country. India has made wonderful progress and you can see the progress in many major states.
I think there are Villages/Slums in every country. Just because we don't see it doesn't mean that the country is completely "rich". In USA, we have New Orleans to name a few. I am not sure about UK. But I am sure that every country has some PROS and some CONS. If a Director is making a movie about another country, extra care has to be taken to show the real points with respect to the Good facts as well as the bad facts. The director has really depicted the contents as "India being a Poor country". He has no feelings but has made a movie with a motive (to win OSCAR and not to help the POOR).
Shame on you, Director!
The director should really have feelings and should mean what they mean.
Wake up Indians, please!
.I absolutely agree with this review. It could not be more accurate. I am outraged by the awards and recognition this movie is getting. In all honesty, I feel the movie was made with a western point of view and this movie has only reinstated the false perceptions westerners have about India.
.I absolutely agree with this review. It could not be more accurate. I am outraged by the awards and recognition this movie is getting. In all honesty, I feel the movie was made with a western point of view and this movie has only reinstated the false perceptions westerners have about India.
.I absolutely agree with this review. It could not be more accurate. I am outraged by the awards and recognition this movie is getting. In all honesty, I feel the movie was made with a western point of view and this movie has only reinstated the false perceptions westerners have about India.
I am agree with Neha's comment this movie is actually made for the Europeans who always want to see the dark part of India.But actually India is much more than it which they will not understand..........
.I absolutely agree with this review. It could not be more accurate. I am outraged by the awards and recognition this movie is getting. In all honesty, I feel the movie was made with a western point of view and this movie has only reinstated the false perceptions westerners have about India.
.I absolutely agree with this review. It could not be more accurate. I am outraged by the awards and recognition this movie is getting. In all honesty, I feel the movie was made with a western point of view and this movie has only reinstated the false perceptions westerners have about India.
.i live in the US. I generally agree with the sentiments expressed here. I did not think too much about this movie, until recently one of my colleagues, during a office lunch asked me "Did you live in the slums in India". When I denied, another one chipped in, "Hopefully you were not a slom lord. Man, those poor kids". I didn't know what to say. I wish Americans get educated that there is indeed more to India than slums...Some are so ignorant!!
I live in the US too and I visit India every year. I think most people who are posting here are behaving like ostriches with their heads stuck in sand.Of course the diorector does'nt just show only the slums-he contrasts them with the beautiful skyscrapers and even elegant mansions where Lathica ends up in. The sad thing about India is that people living there really do treat poor people like dogs- if you're poor, you can forget about police protection or justice- every thing in the New India is only for the rich and upper middle class. And how dare Amitabh comment about this movie- Isint he the same guy who was grabbing farmers' lands while many farmers were committing suicide due to poverty! What has he done to help anybody? At least, this movie raises awareness for these kids, and I for one am going to contribute to help out as I am sure many in the world community will too. So please, get your heads out of the sand, swallow your pride and be moved to help. To Indians, I would like to say, please dont accept child labor- it is pathetic to see kids begging, working on streets, and in houses.We have to have more sympathy-progress cannot be measured in terms of skyscrapers, malls and the latest fast food joints if some kids in our country have no human rights
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