To me and you and many like us it feels good that a film made in India , on India , with Indian actors and crew produced by a British screen writer has bagged 10 Oscar nominations at the 81st annual Academy Awards, getting nods for Best Film, Best Adapted Screenplay (Simon Beaufoy), Best Director (Danny Boyle), Best Original Score (A R Rahman), Best Song (Jai Ho and O Saya), Best Sound Editing (Tom Sayers), Best Sound Mixing (Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty), Best Cinematography�(Anthony Dod Mantle) and Best Film Editing (Chris Dickens).
The name of the film I know, you know is “Slum Dog Millionaire”.
Two Indians namely A R Rahman and Resul Pookutty were also nominated for individual categories for the same film. It bagged four Golden Globe awards in the same categories as its Oscar nods (and one for A R Rahman for Best Original Score). The film will release in India on January 23.
Mumbai slum residents object to 'Slumdog's' name
But what Mumbai residents who live in slums feel?
Several dozen Mumbai slum residents protested today the award-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" calling the film's title insulting. The protest came amid mounting excitement in India — where the movie is set and home to many of its actors — ahead of Academy Award nominations. The film, a rags-to-riches romance set in Mumbai's notorious slums, has been tapped a favorite for several Oscar nominations after it swept its four categories at the Golden Globes, including the prize for best drama.But not all of Mumbai's slum residents were happy.
"I am poor, but don't call me slumdog," said 18 year old girl, one of about two dozen slum residents who protested outside the home of actor, Anil Kapoor.
"I don't want to be referred to as a dog," she said.
Other protesters held up banners reading "Poverty For Sale," and "I am not a dog." One of them carried a puppy. Nicholas Almeida, a social activist who organized the protest, said he planned to file a lawsuit on tomorrow to get the name changed. The film tells the story of Jamal Malik, a poor youth who becomes the champion of India's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" television program as he searches for his lost love, has also been criticized for focusing on India's poverty.
"The film is going to be a terrific inspiration to kids around India. It's a feel-good film, a film of hope," said actor Anil Kapoor, who himself grew up in a Mumbai slum. He dismissed claims that the word "slumdog" was offensive. "Children from the slums are actually called much worse names."
Mr. Kapoor, forgets if they are called by much worse names then should we change the tradition or perpetuate it!
Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy said "He just made up the word. He liked the idea. He didn't mean to offend anyone," he said.
Well Mr. Beaufoy I am sure would not like if I spelt his name “SimonEY BOuEafe” or will he? I just made it up, dear like you did.
Ok, Now let's celebrate the nominations….because I have no doubts for the creative genious and talent of the entire team. But I can not hide my reservations on the name calling. Because the poor living in Mumbai Slums are poor people with their hopes and dreams but by mo means “Slum Dogs” in any sense of the word.
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