With Slumdog Millionaire sweeping on eight Oscars of the 10 categories it was nominated in, it was a moment of joy and celebration for Indians across the world.
But there also emerged a controversy about whether the film actually deserved the awards for highlighting poverty in India so extensively. Critics raised several questions asking if the film really had to portray the country in such a bad light to aim for the Oscars. What disturbed them most is the fact that while Indian-made films carrying social messages, like Taare Zameen Par and Lagaan, failed to make a mark at the Oscars, Slumdog… attracted attention by marketing India's poverty.
Eminent Gujarati theatre personality, Saumya Joshi said, "Very honestly, I did not like the film because it painted a very sorry picture of India. But at the same time it is their perception of the country so I am not entirely against the movie. Besides, AR Rahman and Gulzar definitely deserved the awards."
"I have not seen the film yet so I cannot say anything about it. I have not even heard the song 'Jai Ho' so I do not think it would be right if I comment about Rahman's music or Gulzar's lyrics," said Shyamal Munshi, a popular Gujarati singer.
Parthiv Gohil, a prominent name in the Indian music industry, said, "Slumdog winning the Oscar Awards is a very big thing for all the Indians, and I see no reason why people should regard it as undeserving. I am very glad and the victory calls for a celebration. Rahman is the god of music; as for Gulzar, I am too small a person to comment on him. He is a living legend."
"Slumdog Millionaire is an extraordinary movie and I really liked it. I think it’s time all of us accept certain things as they are. Slumdog has portrayed India the way it actually is. It is simply a reflection of the way things work here. The movie undoubtedly deserved the Oscars," said Ajmal Shiekh, a student.
