When I was walking into the theater to watch ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, I knew for sure I wouldn’t like the film. First, I have a problem watching overhyped movies. I generally end up disappointed as my expectations go up in conjunction with the hype. And Slumdog was one gigantic overhyped movie with all the reviews, praises, awards and nominations it was generating. It’s even listed in Time’s top 10 movies of 2008. Second, I don’t remember any Hollywood/foreign filmmaker making a great film (or any that has appealed to me) that’s set and shot in India. Third and the most important, I’m generally repulsive to anyone who thinks/jokes/photographs/shoots slums, poverty, call centers and tech-support as if it’s synonymous with India. Slumdog had all of those factors going for it. So it was natural for me to think that I would walk out disappointed.

Boy, I was so wrong.

The movie is about an 18-year-old in the slums of Mumbai who goes on to win twenty million rupees in the Hindi version of the game show ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ although his motive to participate in the game show is totally different. The movie is a set of events that not only take us through the life of the protagonist – Jamal, but also reveal as to how he knows the answers to all the questions in the game show by the course of those events.

The screenplay is crisp and fast paced. It’s loaded with various elements you can think of – romance, drama, comedy, action, adventure, friendship, betrayal, hope and destiny. The visuals are stylish (although a bit too many fancy camera angles). Just when I thought Rahman was losing his touch, he comes up with an amazing soundtrack. Acting was average and could have been better – the kids were awesome though. The movie also has its share of clichés and predictable turns. Overall, the movie works and works well. At least, it has the freshness which most movies seem to lack somehow.

The movie begins with a card posing the question:
Jamal Malik is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. How did he do it?
a. He Cheated
b. He’s Lucky
c. He’s a Genius
d. It is Written

Watch the movie to find out.