- Title: INDIA: Director Danny Boyle reacts to Slumdog Millionaire's 10 Oscar nominations
- Date: 23rd January 2009
- Summary: VARIOUS OF CAST AND CREW ON STAGE
- Embargoed: 8th February 2009 10:54
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Film
- Reuters ID: LVAE4Y0SUFMWR540OHM4UTNGU01Q
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Critically acclaimed "Slumdog Millionaire" held its Indian premiere in the film's native Mumbai on Thursday night (January 22), shortly after it won 10 Oscar nominations.
The rags-to-riches story about a boy from one of the city's teeming slums competing on a TV gameshow has been nominated for best director, best adapted screenplay and best picture at the Academy Awards, and seven other categories.
"It's unbelievable result, of 10 nominations for the film, which is incredible. And particularly three for AR (AR Rahman, the film's composer), who can't be here, sadly cause he's finishing 'Delhi 6' in Chennai right now," the film's director Danny Boyle told a news conference ahead of the premiere.
"I just wanted to say how much this city opened its arms to us to make the film, all that the film is is obviously our responsibility. But all of the film, all of the film to my mind is from this city, this extraordinary city. And I go on and on and on about it because I don't want anybody to miss out, my -- our -- debt of gratitude to it. So, it's a huge thank you to everybody who helped us make the film," he added.
A huge media fanfare greeted Bollywood stars and production company executives as they walked on the red carpet amid the sound of traditional Indian drums.
The entire cast and crew danced down the red carpet.
"It's been a really magical ride, we're thrilled, I'm particularly thrilled to be here tonight, this is just a magical experience. It's a huge success in North America. It's been embraced by people of all ages, all ethnicities, people love this story, it's a transcendent story. And it certainly has introduced India in its multifaceted dynamism and energy, to whole new audiences, many who'd never even heard of Mumbai until the incidents," Fox Searchlight Distribution Head, Steve Gilula said.
"Slumdog Millionaire" has already won four honours at the Golden Globes this month including best drama, and been nominated for 11 BAFTA awards.
The film's famed music composer A.R. Rahman alone picked up three Oscar nominations.
But despite the international plaudits, Boyle arrived in Mumbai earlier this week to accusations by some parts of the Indian media that his film was voyeuristic "poverty porn".
Boyle, known for his unconventional story-telling in films like "Trainspotting", was accused of romanticising slums and peddling begging rackets, prostitution and crime as "Indian exotica".
"Slumdog" has sparked a debate about whether such films reinforce Western stereotypes about the country, though Boyle said he was trying to capture Mumbai's "lust for life".
Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, who also starred in "Slumdog", on Thursday said the controversy might dissuade foreign filmmakers from coming to India.
Other Indians have leapt to the defence of "Slumdog". For example, the cast and crew were awarded for "Global Excellence of the Year" at the NDTV news channel's Indian of the Year awards.
Around 40 people, including slum children, held a silent protest on Thursday outside the house of one of the film's stars, Anil Kapoor, a Reuters witness said.
They said the film's name was derogatory and demanded it be changed.
Some held roses, and one of the children carried a puppy, apparently in reference to the film's title.
A leader of slums in eastern India's impoverished Bihar state filed a defamation case this week against A.R. Rahman, Anil Kapoor and two others involved in the film. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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