IMDb > Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire
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Slumdog Millionaire (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 28 | slideshow) Videos (see all 29)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- The story of how impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" -- an endeavor made in  an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- Clip: Jiaho
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- Behind the scenes: Skateboard steady cam
The Wrestler (2008) -- Danny Boyle discusses how he acquired the rights to the Hindo version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" with director Darren Aronofsky.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- Star Dev Patel discusses Danny Boyle's ("28 Days Later", "Trainspotting") latest film, "Slumdog Millionaire," which chronicles the spectacular rise of an Indian street kid's fame on a TV game show.

Overview

User Rating:
8.4/10   151,790 votes
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Up 27% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Directors:
Danny Boyle
Loveleen Tandan (co-director: India)
Writers:
Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)
Vikas Swarup (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Slumdog Millionaire on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 January 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Love and money... You have mixed them both. more
Plot:
A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 8 Oscars. Another 95 wins & 45 nominations more
User Reviews:
"Slumdog" beautifully bridges life in India and Western film more (868 total)


Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language.
Runtime:
120 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The actor whose autograph young Jamal gets is Amitabh Bachchan. Amitabh Bachchan is a very real, and very famous Indian actor, the original host of the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (1998) (called "Kaun Banega Crorepati?" (2000)), and also the father-in-law of Aishwarya Rai (or Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan as she is known after marriage). more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Jamal explains the answer for "truth alone triumphs" question, Jamal asks the inspector for the price of Pani Puri, but the video shown is that of Dahi Puri. more
Quotes:
[Salim and Jamal are sitting on the edge of an apartment floor, under construction]
Older Salim: That... used to be our slum. Can you believe that, huh?
[pointing at something]
Older Salim: We used to live right there, man. Now, it's all business. India is at the center of the world now, bhai. And I... I am at the center... of the center. This is all Javed bhai's.
Jamal Malik: Javed Khan... the gangster from our slum? You work for him?
Older Salim: Come on, who else do you think would save us from Maman's guys, huh?
Jamal Malik: What do you do for him?
Older Salim: Anything he asks.
[pause in conversation, as Salim's phone rings]
Older Salim: He's coming. You need to go now. Take my card.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Oh, My Girl!: A Laugh Story... (2009) more
Soundtrack:
Ringa Ringa more

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
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Is 'Slumdog Millionaire' based on a book?
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133 out of 206 people found the following review useful.
"Slumdog" beautifully bridges life in India and Western film, 22 December 2008
9/10
Author: Movie_Muse_Reviews from IL, USA

It doesn't seem like a stretch to suggest that America might now be ready to embrace films in the style of India's Bollywood films. While "Slumdog Millionaire" is far from a Bollywood tragic love story filled with singing and dancing, the way director Danny Boyle will rivet audiences with his film that is authentic to Indian culture while using a distinctly Western style of film-making might be enough proof that there is a profit to be made here.

"Slumdog Millionaire" is a drama exposing the tragic effects of poverty in gigantic Indian cities like Mumbai that is also fused with a modern day Indian fairytale. Jamal Malik is a young man on India's "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" and is a question away from one million dollars when he's arrested on suspicion of cheating. Because Jamal is from the slums of India and has no educational background, it seems entirely improbable if not impossible that Jamal could make it this far, but each question is connected with distinct and sometimes painful memories for Jamal. It's as if he is destined to win, even though he only went on the show to impress a girl he has loved his whole life, Latika.

Danny Boyle ("28 Days Later," "Sunshine") takes us from memory to memory as Jamal advances question by question toward the million dollars. These memories offer vivid insight into poverty in India as well as the lives of Jamal, Latika and Jamal's older brother Salim. As children they are left parentless and taught how to swindle tourists, leading to lives of little fulfillment or even corruption. Despite being separated, Jamal and Latika are reunited several times and in fact Jamal's only motivation in life is his love for her.

While the young, unknown, Indian actors are absolutely amazing in this film, the biggest kudos go to director Boyle, who creates an astonishing film. For Boyle to go from science fiction and zombie thrillers to taking on a project as daring and unusual as "Slumdog Millionaire" proves that he's not only a brave director, but a versatile one. His great success with making this film intense, eye-opening and full of heart all at the same time prove that he's also an incredible one. "Slumdog" is just the beginning for Boyle who might be one of the most progressive and talented directors working today.

It's hard to be completely blown away by a film whose core message is about destiny and leans on the fact that Jamal is simply fated to do this well in explaining what has unfolded, but like any good film ought to, Boyle makes you a fan of the characters and not care as much about the logistics as you might normally do. The fact that this film starts out so dramatic and real makes it hard to embrace the fairytale it blossoms into, but it's the great visual storytelling along the way that makes it so enjoyable. ~Steven C

Visit my site at http://moviemusereviews.blogspot.com/

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I walked out of the movie theatre... elizabeth11788
Is this how children live in India? franixus
Any other Danny Boyle fans disappointed by this film? ijhelsen-542-315771
The money in the bathtub? bozackula
reccomend 5 films that will blow me away winston9109
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