Wednesday, January 28, 2009
'Slumdog' child stars underpaid, say parents
Poor parents of 'Slumdog millionaire' stars say children were exploited - Telegraph
Their
roles in Slumdog Millionaire have won them international acclaim and
seen them rub shoulders with the film’s glamorous stars and its British
director.
The film’s British director, Danny Boyle, has spoken of how he set up trust
funds for Rubina and Azharuddin and paid for their education. But it has
emerged that the children, who played Latika and Salim in the early scenes
of the film, were paid less than many Indian domestic servants.Rubina was paid £500 for a year’s work while Azharuddin received £1,700,
according to the children's parents.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Movie houses ransacked in Eastern India as protesters decry 'Slumdog' title
Don't call us dogs, say Slumdog protesters in cinema rampage - Times Online
Armed police guarded cinemas in eastern India today after slum dwellers
ransacked a picture house showing Slumdog Millionaire because they
didn't like the use of the word "dog" in the title.
Several hundred people rampaged through the cinema in Patna, capital of the
eastern state of Bihar, on Monday and tore down posters advertising the
film. They said the title was humiliating and vowed to continue their
protests until it was changed.
The protest was organised by Tateshwar Vishwakarma, a social activist who
filed a lawsuit over the title last week against four Indians involved in
its production - a lead actor, the music director and two others.
"Referring to people living in slums as dogs is a violation of human
rights," said Mr Vishwakarma, who works for a group promoting the
rights of slum dwellers. We will burn Danny Boyle [the film's British
director] effigies in 56 slums here."
The case will be heard in a Patna court on February 5, according to police.
Kishori Das, another activist, said: "We are in touch with like-minded
organisations across India to take the issue on a large scale."
Social, political and religious activists in India often organise violent
protests over films to try to win publicity for their cause.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
'Slumdog' takes top nod at SAG Awards
'Slumdog' takes top nod at SAG Awards
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards offered one more endorsement to "Slumdog Millionaire" on Sunday night, handing it the prize for outstanding movie cast.
...
Anil Kapoor, who plays the "Millionaire" host in "Slumdog," spoke
on behalf of that film's ensemble as they took the stage during the
ceremony at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles, broadcast
live in the East on TNT and TBS.
"To win this is unbelievable," he said. After paying tribute to
director Danny Boyle, producer Christian Colson and Fox Searchlight
chief Peter Rice -- calling him "the man with the Midas touch" for
so successfully releasing the Mumbai-set movie in the U.S. -- he
made particular mention of the movie's child actors. "They deserve
this award," he said. "They set our performances."
Thursday, January 22, 2009
India claims 'Slumdog Millionaire' as its own
AFP: 'Slumdog Millionaire' director coy about Oscar success
MUMBAI (AFP) — "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle said Tuesday he is refusing to contemplate Oscar success, despite a string of accolades, as he returned to Mumbai for the film's Indian premiere.
"The most important thing for us this week is absolutely the opening here. Big time. That's serious," he told a news conference in the city alongside the hit movie's cast.
The rags-to-riches love story about a Mumbai slum dweller has been tipped for Academy Awards success after scooping four US Golden Globes earlier this month, including a best director award for Boyle.
The low-budget movie, made with virtual unknowns in the lead roles, has taken 40 million dollars at the US box office and more than six million pounds (8.4 million dollars) in Britain, its producer Christian Colson said.
It premieres in Mumbai Thursday and Indian audiences get the chance to see the film from Friday, both in the original English and in Hindi as "Slumdog Crorepati".
Boyle, whose credits include "Shallow Grave", "Trainspotting" and "28 Days Later", said he felt "incredibly blessed" by how the film has been received across the world, including the host of awards it has won.
"You can't expect anything really. You should always expect to get knocked down by a bus tomorrow morning, which is the only healthy thing to feel about success. It could all end at a moment's notice," he added.
"We have just been very fortunate to be where we are and... I never thought we would be here."
India has claimed "Slumdog Millionaire" as its own after the film's Golden Globes success and is eagerly awaiting next month's Oscars, despite it being directed, written and produced by a group of Britons and a British studio.
The cast, co-director Loveleen Tandan, acclaimed music director A.R. Rahman and the Vikas Swarup's novel "Q and A" on which the film is based are all Indian, as is the location -- Mumbai's sprawling Dharavi shantytown.
There is also a part-Hindi dialogue, Bollywood singing and dancing and some of the Indian film industry's biggest stars, Anil Kapoor and Irfan Khan.
"There's probably nowhere more important than releasing the film in Mumbai and this extraordinary city," Boyle told reporters.
But he brushed aside apparent criticism of the film's subject matter from Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, who wrote on his personal website recently that dire poverty exists in every culture, not just in India.
The comments were interpreted by the Indian media as a slight on Western directors and their perceptions of the country, although Bachchan has denied he was being critical of Boyle's success.
Boyle said he and screenplay writer Simon Beaufoy wanted to include "as much of the city as possible that we saw and found. And there are some tough things and there are some extraordinary things", he said.
He accepted that his vision of India's "Maximum City" was not perfect but he hoped audiences would recognise the "breathtaking resilience" and lust for life of the Mumbaikars depicted in the film, despite their circumstances.
"Everybody has the privilege of saying whatever they want about it (the film). I think it's part of my job to accept criticism," he added.
'Slumdog Millionaire' nominated for 10 Oscars at the 81st Annual Academy Awards
British director Danny Boyle's hit film "Slumdog Millionaire" has won 10 Oscar nominations, three of them for Indian musician
He got the nomination for two songs composed by him "O Saya" and "Jai Ho". The film also was nominated in the sound editing and sound mixing categories.
The full list of nominations for Slumdog are:
- Best Picture: "Slumdog Millionaire"
- Best Director: Danny Boyle
- Adapted screenplay: Simon Beaufoy
- Music (Score): AR Rehman
- Music (Song): "Jai Ho" and "O Saya"
- Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle
- Film editing: Chris Dickens
- Sound editing: Tom Sayers
- Sound mixing: Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
AR Rahman talk about his philosophy and reaction to Slumdog
AR Rahman
Rahman speaks on Slumdog, Sufism and Sindhu Bhairavi-Chennai-Cities-The Times of India
CHENNAI: It is night, and unlike the late hours on Wednesday,Rahman's house is quiet. His younger children Rahima and Ameen spray snow foam on
each other when Rahman's mother comes down and tells the waiting media that Rahman has just finished dinner. "He hardly slept last night and he will be down shortly." Rahman talks to Times of India.
Bollyw Star Bachchan denies Slumdog criticism
Amitabh Bachchan
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Bachchan denies Slumdog criticism
Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan has denied criticising award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.
The actor says opinions posted on his blog criticising the film for projecting India as the "third world dirty underbelly", were made by others.
He says he merely put up the comments, which he did not attribute, to start a debate and is anguished that they have been construed to be his.
Mr Bachchan is India's best-known actor and has a massive fan following.
Anne Hathaway gets starstruck over 'Slumdog' star
Anne Hathaway
The Associated Press: Anne Hathaway gets starstruck over 'Slumdog' star
NEW YORK (AP) — Anne Hathaway is a fan of "Slumdog Millionaire" — and the young star of the film, Dev Patel. A starstruck Hathaway expressed her love for the actor's performance in "Slumdog" on the red carpet at the National Board of Review Awards gala in Manhattan.
Meeting Patel for the first time, Hathaway declared: "I love you in your movie so much! ... You're so beautiful in it. You broke my heart. It was gorgeous."
Patel, pleasantly surprised by Hathaway's praise, asked her for a hug.
He said: "That means so much to me. You don't understand. ... Thank you Mrs. Hathaway!"
The 26-year-old actress and ex-girlfriend of Raffaello Follieri — who's now serving a 4 1/2-year prison sentence for fraud — corrected Patel, saying: "Mrs.? Oh no. Miss, miss!"
Patel, 18, was clearly worried he'd offended Hathaway, to which she playfully responded: "No, you're not offending me — I'm just letting you know that it's 'Miss!'"
At Sundance, ‘Slumdog’ Casts a Long Shadow
At Sundance, ‘Slumdog’ Casts a Long Shadow - NYTimes.com
This year’s award-circuit darling, “Slumdog Millionaire,” may not be a Sundance movie in the clinical sense, but in terms of aesthetic and appeal it hits all the buttons with its innovative shooting style, a cast of nobodies and a backdrop in India. Audiences who are now walking past all manner of studio fare and lining up for this film could not be blamed for wondering, “Why aren’t there more movies like this?”
At Sundance, ‘Slumdog’ Casts a Long Shadow
At Sundance, ‘Slumdog’ Casts a Long Shadow - NYTimes.com
This year’s award-circuit darling, “Slumdog Millionaire,” may not be a Sundance movie in the clinical sense, but in terms of aesthetic and appeal it hits all the buttons with its innovative shooting style, a cast of nobodies and a backdrop in India. Audiences who are now walking past all manner of studio fare and lining up for this film could not be blamed for wondering, “Why aren’t there more movies like this?”
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The 'Slumdog' Effect on Hollywood
With the recent success of Slumdog Millionaire, Bollywood's influence on the American film industry is in full effect.
'Slumdog' gets 11 BAFTA Nominations
BAFTA nominations: 'Slumdog' and 'Button' tie with 11 | Academy Awards | OscarWatch | EW.com
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced their nominations today, anointing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire with 11 nods each.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
"Slumdog" Director and Screenwriter Interview on CBS
Director Danny Boyle and Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy spoke with Harry Smith of CBS about their critically acclaimed film, Slumdog Millionaire.
Amitabh Bachchan criticizes "Slumdog"
Slumdog Millionaire gives the Big B.'s head a shake - The Ampersand
Technorati Tags: slumdog millionaire
Photo Courtesy of FlickrMore Slumdog News – as Western audiences fall head over heels for the film, which is gaining momentum as an Oscar frontrunner, certain individuals in India are expressing their suspicion.
When one of those certain individuals is Amitabh Bachchan, also known as the Big B., one of the biggest (if not the biggest) Bollywood stars in history, then the media pays attention.
The Big B. is apparently concerned that Slumdog portrays India as a "third world, ditry, underbelly developing nation."
Technorati Tags: slumdog millionaire
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Some scenes of "Slumdog" shot with Canon point-and-shoot digital cameras
Digital Cameras: Slumdog Millionaire Crowd Scenes Shot Covertly With Canon Still Cameras
Talking about the process of shooting Golden Galaxy-winner Slumdog Millionaire, director Danny Boyle reveals that they shot parts of the movie using a "a Canon stills camera, which takes 12 frames per second."
"Slumdog" too real for Indian film fans?
"Slumdog" too real for Indian film fans - Yahoo! News
"Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Golden Globes and is generating Oscar buzz, but the film may not be as warmly received in India where it was shot and where millions live in the squalor depicted in the movie.
The film, which will be released in India next week in about 300 cinemas, won four awards at the Golden Globe awards Sunday, including one for Indian music composer AR Rahman for best original score.
The win sparked a frenzy in the Indian media, which hailed Rahman as a genius, and predicted an Oscar win for the 43-year-old.
Slumdog Success Could Bring Back Millionaire Show to Center Stage
Tuned In - TIME.com » Blog Archive ABC May Phone an Old Friend: Regis «
Last night Slumdog Millionaire—the Danny Boyle film centered on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire—cleaned up at the Golden Globes. Now it looks like the American version of Millionaire may be a winner too. ABC, reports TV Week, is considering bringing the show back for a summer run to mark its 10th anniversary. With Regis Philbin, says Josef Adalian, not daytime host Meredith Vieira.
Slumdog wins five at Critic's Choice Awards
‘Slumdog,’ ‘Milk’ win Critics’ Choice awards - More news and other features- msnbc.com
The critics have spoken, and "Slumdog Millionaire" is their final answer.
The rags-to-riches tale won a leading five prizes, including best picture, at Thursday night's Critics' Choice Awards. "Slumdog" also won honors for director Danny Boyle, writer Simon Beaufoy, star Dev Patel and composer A.R. Rahman.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Younger Slumdog cast comment on their roles
Mumbai kids in Slumdog Millionaire cast -Mumbai-Cities-The Times of India
MUMBAI: "Are you shooting with the Oscars in mind?'' When young Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala asked this of Danny Boyle, all he got was a smile.
Perhaps the director was superstitious of jinxing it. Now, he would be more forthcoming.
Six delirious Mumbai children are part of the Slumdog Millionaire cast. Two of them, who live in the slums, will meet the media only when the film releases in India. The rest-Ashutosh, Tanai Chheda (who plays protagonist Jamal Malik) and Tanvi Lonkar (the heroine, Latika)-are studio hopping.
The kids were in class when the news broke. When they emerged, their world had changed. Ashutosh, 14, in the midst of his Class X prelims, found his mother waiting to take him to television studios. "Good evening, or is it good afternoon,'' he said to TOI. "I'm so disoriented I cannot even remember which paper I appeared for and which one is coming up tomorrow.''
Slumdog Millionaire: the first film of the Obama era
Slumdog Millionaire: the first film of the Obama era - Telegraph
Slumdog Millionaire – Golden Globes winner and hot tip for Oscars – is a British movie whose influence will be felt all over the world.
...
This is not merely because I think the US President-elect would like Slumdog Millionaire
– though I am confident that he would. It is more that the film is such
a radical contender for Oscars, and in ways that correspond to what
appears to be Obama's world view.
Slumdog Director comments on film's Oscar chances
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
'Slumdog' hits the jackpot at the Golden Globes
'Slumdog' hits the jackpot at the Golden Globes - Yahoo! News
Heath Ledger was honored with a Golden Globe, and Kate Winslet came away with two. But the top dog was "Slumdog Millionaire," the Bollywood fantasy that took four awards, including best drama.
With its awards Sunday, "Slumdog Millionaire" emerged as the potential film to beat at the Academy Awards, an unexpected position for a movie with a cast of unknowns and a story set among orphans and criminals on the streets of Mumbai.
Welcome to the "Unofficial Slumdog Millionaire Blog"
This site was created to track all things related to the critically acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle.
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