Drama,Romance
United Kingdom
Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British drama film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy. The film is based on the novel Q & A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup. The story follows the journey of Jamal Malik, who grew up in the slums of Mumbai, as he competes on the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" in an attempt to win enough money to rescue his true love, Latika, from the clutches of a gangster.
As Jamal progresses through the rounds of the game show, he is questioned about experiences from his past that helped him answer the questions. These experiences include his work as a tea server, a rickshaw driver, and his childhood friendship with Latika. Through Jamal's flashbacks, the audience sees the harsh realities of life in Mumbai's slums, including child trafficking and violence.
After Jamal wins the game show, he is arrested on suspicion of cheating, since he is an uneducated young man who seemingly had no access to the knowledge needed to answer the questions correctly. However, through a series of flashbacks, the audience sees that Jamal's experiences in life have given him the knowledge he needed to win. His explanation of how he knew each answer is in fact the story of his life.
The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Slumdog Millionaire is considered a landmark in Indian cinema, and is notable for its use of local actors and filming locations in Mumbai. The film's soundtrack, composed by A.R. Rahman, is also highly acclaimed and won an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
