Don’t get me wrong – I love the movie, and I as I mentioned, I do believe that the filmmakers have done the research and made the movie to intentionally provoke. Which is the very purpose of art.

I do not for a moment suggest or ‘demand’ that it is up to the filmmakers to put the kids through school. But one cannot pass of the movie as enjoyable fiction without understanding the reality that these child actors will go back to a life of disease and unhygenic conditions in Dharavi having been paid a pittance salary compared to that stipulated by industry standards. As you said, the “objectional things in the movie are reality.” The kids are after all…slumdogs.

I am not concerned about “what the world will think of India.” Rather glad that they have a window to its truth. But I am conscious…deeply conscious of the ‘slumdog’ reaching recognition only through the glitz of an Oscar…soon to be pushed into the background when the next blockbuster film grabs everyone’s attention.

Hollywood is a fickle place. Let’s not become lackadaisical about what this brilliant movie had exposed to the world at large.

Don’t get me wrong – I love the movie, and I as I mentioned, I do believe that the filmmakers have done the research and made the movie to intentionally provoke. Which is the very purpose of art.

I do not for a moment suggest or ‘demand’ that it is up to the filmmakers to put the kids through school. But one cannot pass of the movie as enjoyable fiction without understanding the reality that these child actors will go back to a life of disease and unhygenic conditions in Dharavi having been paid a pittance salary compared to that stipulated by industry standards. As you said, the “objectional things in the movie are reality.” The kids are after all…slumdogs.

I am not concerned about “what the world will think of India.” Rather glad that they have a window to its truth. But I am conscious…deeply conscious of the ‘slumdog’ reaching recognition only through the glitz of an Oscar…soon to be pushed into the background when the next blockbuster film grabs everyone’s attention.

Hollywood is a fickle place. Let’s not become lackadaisical about what this brilliant movie had exposed to the world at large.

I m sure you will agree that if this low-budget movie had go the acclaim it has, we probably wudnt have been talking about it. Why are we so sensitive to issue that only lead to gr8 intellectual discussion. If we are really concerned about the prestige or the kids going back to the slums; can we do anything for them? may be giv them some education and get them into good acting schools? Why shud we demand the crew of Slumdog Millionaires to take that responsibility. They were only supposed to pay for the services they got whithout violating the rules. If they have mistreated the children then lets take them to task. Else, lets just enjoy the movie and treat it as only fiction and not get carried away with what they (or the world) will think of India. If you are really concerned. Make an effort, publish it here. We want to join you.

I m sure you will agree that if this low-budget movie had go the acclaim it has, we probably wudnt have been talking about it. Why are we so sensitive to issue that only lead to gr8 intellectual discussion. If we are really concerned about the prestige or the kids going back to the slums; can we do anything for them? may be giv them some education and get them into good acting schools? Why shud we demand the crew of Slumdog Millionaires to take that responsibility. They were only supposed to pay for the services they got whithout violating the rules. If they have mistreated the children then lets take them to task. Else, lets just enjoy the movie and treat it as only fiction and not get carried away with what they (or the world) will think of India. If you are really concerned. Make an effort, publish it here. We want to join you.

http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/127845/

http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/127845/