Western filmmakers, making a film on India, has to be on poor people, slum-dwellers, and this is no exception. British filmmaker Danny Boyle comes out with a film on Juhu smell dweller who makes it to the "Who Wants to be A millionaire". Based on the novel Q & A (2005) by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup, this British film is handled in a western way and their perspective of India, basing solely on the lower strata of thier society.
Eighteen year old, Jama(Dev Patel), a tea waala, is cross-questioned by Irfaan Khan, on how he has been able to make it to the 2,00,000 question in the " Who wants to be a millionaire" . The film goes in flashback, when Jaamal narates his childhood, his upbringing, his fight with his brother Salim (Madhur Mittal), and his love interest Latika (Freida Pinto). Jamal, who was a street child of slum, when his brother fell in the racket of wrong people and took his girl friend Latika alongwith. Dev now works with a call centre company as a tea distributor.
He makes it to the Who Wants to be a Millionaire and out of serendipity comes across questions for which he specifically knew the answers, the officer Irfaan khan is not convinced but he has no other option. He leaves him to Anil Kapoor the quizmaster of the show to continue with the show.
He now comes across his brother again, and Latika too. How fate has turned around, will it still continue to favor him, will he be the millionaire, will a chai waalaa be a millionaire.
A movie out of the most successful shows on Indian television, although a british film, this turns out to be interesting cinema for Indian audiences too. The fact is the movie is very gripping, as the story unfolds, its still very intriguing. The excitement factor remains there.
The performances are great. Dev Patel is confident, assured, assertive and brings out a fine performance. So is Frieda Pinto.
Irfaan Khan has a small role, but is funny in serious manner. Anil kapoor leaves his mark as a quizmaster, the chaiwaalaa dialect is great.
These flashbacks tell the story of Jamal, his brother Salim (Madhur Mittal), and Latika (Freida Pinto).
Music is good, not the best from maestro A.R. Rehman. Jai Ho is a lively number.
The film is a nice one to watch for British cinema representing India, mumbaikar rags to riches story.
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