IMDb > Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 28 | slideshow) Videos (see all 26)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- The story of how impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" -- an endeavor made in  an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- Clip: Jiaho
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- Behind the scenes: Skateboard steady cam
The Wrestler (2008) -- Danny Boyle discusses how he acquired the rights to the Hindo version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" with director Darren Aronofsky.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- Star Dev Patel discusses Danny Boyle's ("28 Days Later", "Trainspotting") latest film, "Slumdog Millionaire," which chronicles the spectacular rise of an Indian street kid's fame on a TV game show.

Overview

User Rating:
8.4/10   159,568 votes »
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Directors:
Danny Boyle
Loveleen Tandan (co-director: India)
Writers:
Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)
Vikas Swarup (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Slumdog Millionaire on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 January 2009 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Tagline:
Love and money... You have mixed them both. See more »
Plot:
A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 8 Oscars. Another 100 wins & 50 nominations See more »
User Reviews:
"Slumdog" beautifully bridges life in India and Western film See more (884 total) »
US TV Schedule:

Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language.
Runtime:
120 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The song "Aaj Ki Raat", which is playing at the scene near the end with Latika and the gangster that Salim works for where there are other girls dancing is from Don (2006/I) that stars superstar Shahrukh Khan. It is a remake of Don (1978), starring Amitabh Bachchan. Coincidentally, Amitabh was the original host of "Kaun Banega Crorepati?" (2000) (the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (1998)), and Shahrukh is the current host. See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: While in the police station Jamal drinks down a glass of Chai and sets it on the table in front of him. In the following shot the glass is full again. See more »
Quotes:
Jamal Malik: I'll wait for you at the train station every day at five. See more »
Movie Connections:
References "Taggart" (1983) See more »
Soundtrack:
Millionaire See more »

FAQ

Is there a soundtrack release available?
What language is the film in?
What does "Jai Ho" mean?
See more »
136 out of 212 people found the following review useful.
"Slumdog" beautifully bridges life in India and Western film, 22 December 2008
Author: Movie_Muse_Reviews from IL, USA

It doesn't seem like a stretch to suggest that America might now be ready to embrace films in the style of India's Bollywood films. While "Slumdog Millionaire" is far from a Bollywood tragic love story filled with singing and dancing, the way director Danny Boyle will rivet audiences with his film that is authentic to Indian culture while using a distinctly Western style of film-making might be enough proof that there is a profit to be made here.

"Slumdog Millionaire" is a drama exposing the tragic effects of poverty in gigantic Indian cities like Mumbai that is also fused with a modern day Indian fairytale. Jamal Malik is a young man on India's "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" and is a question away from one million dollars when he's arrested on suspicion of cheating. Because Jamal is from the slums of India and has no educational background, it seems entirely improbable if not impossible that Jamal could make it this far, but each question is connected with distinct and sometimes painful memories for Jamal. It's as if he is destined to win, even though he only went on the show to impress a girl he has loved his whole life, Latika.

Danny Boyle ("28 Days Later," "Sunshine") takes us from memory to memory as Jamal advances question by question toward the million dollars. These memories offer vivid insight into poverty in India as well as the lives of Jamal, Latika and Jamal's older brother Salim. As children they are left parentless and taught how to swindle tourists, leading to lives of little fulfillment or even corruption. Despite being separated, Jamal and Latika are reunited several times and in fact Jamal's only motivation in life is his love for her.

While the young, unknown, Indian actors are absolutely amazing in this film, the biggest kudos go to director Boyle, who creates an astonishing film. For Boyle to go from science fiction and zombie thrillers to taking on a project as daring and unusual as "Slumdog Millionaire" proves that he's not only a brave director, but a versatile one. His great success with making this film intense, eye-opening and full of heart all at the same time prove that he's also an incredible one. "Slumdog" is just the beginning for Boyle who might be one of the most progressive and talented directors working today.

It's hard to be completely blown away by a film whose core message is about destiny and leans on the fact that Jamal is simply fated to do this well in explaining what has unfolded, but like any good film ought to, Boyle makes you a fan of the characters and not care as much about the logistics as you might normally do. The fact that this film starts out so dramatic and real makes it hard to embrace the fairytale it blossoms into, but it's the great visual storytelling along the way that makes it so enjoyable.

~Steven C

Visit my site at http://moviemusereviews.com/

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (884 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Is this how children live in India? franixus
Great film but doesnt explain why Jamal loves Latika. Karneda92
Hehe.....i forgot about this movie for a while..... thinnyfink
When did he learn the poet's name? johnny_roastbeef002
what happened to... The-Demon
danny boyle toilet fetish?? agirlcalledannie
See more »

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Babel The Kite Runner Karakter Breakfast on Pluto My Own Private Idaho
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.