The Slumdog Story

Jai ho! Slumdog has won 8 Oscars....

Does it really feel that elating? Not in retrospect. There is an implicit impertinence in the way that the Occident treats the Orient. Or to be more specific the western perspective of India. Is it not hilarious that the slum dog Jamal speaks in an unmistakable British accent! Is Indian culture down to slums or does the west believe it to be so? Our music, our art, our speech - the west has conveniently overlooked these. They dismiss the passion that is inherent in every Indian. There was only one scene that actually spoke of it, when the little Jamal emerges from the shit holding onto the photo of his idol. Otherwise why would billions of Indian stay glued to the TV sets when an Indian wins an Oscar or a Gold Medal in the Olympics or the cricket World cup - why would they all be party to the jashna? Passion that flows in their blood, unity that stands out in all its diversity. Passion that creates and passion that destroys. That is what we are all about! Emotions that find words in tears that roll down your cheeks when you watch Tare Zameen Par, the anger and the empathy that makes you impatient when you feel helpless while watching Rang De Basanti, the pathos and the paroxysm as you regale in the victory of Bhuvan - this is India!