India Bets Big on 'Slumdog's' Oscar Success

MUMBAI, Feb. 21, 2009 — -- Indians are starry-eyed over the Oscars.

The country's residents are betting big on the success of "Slumdog Millionaire" at the Oscars this Sunday, according to bookies in Mumbai. The odds are in favor of the film to sweep Best Director, Best Motion Picture and Best Music -- at up to 1.53:1.

A nod from the Academy would be a source of great national pride, as the Golden Globe and BAFTA award wins by Indian composer A.R. Rahman were. Pride is likely the reason for the extended, if now subdued, debate over the film's depiction of Mumbai life.

The question has been raised of whether "Slumdog Millionaire" is a Bollywood film, an Indian film or an international film. (Note: It's critical to bear in mind that Bollywood cinema by no means equals Indian cinema, although it's certainly the most popular style of cinema coming out of India).

The film does contain classic Bollywood elements of rags to riches, good versus evil, feuding brothers and the triumph of the underdog. What's different about it is the way these elements were portrayed in the film, both technically and in terms of storytelling. What has created a stir in India is that the international hit showcases slum life in India, too closely for some.

At a time when India is working hard to position itself as an international business and tourism hub, the film stings a bit. The patina of a not-so-shining India has fueled strong reactions, including that from Amitabh Bachchan. The Bollywood icon wrote on his blog, "If SM projects India as a third-world, dirty, underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky underbelly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations."

He later softened and all but recanted his remarks. Perhaps his was a knee-jerk reaction from a citizen whose city is still propping itself up after the heinous attacks that took place here in November? Hard to say, but there is a sense of protecting one's turf felt by many in a country where rapid change is occurring, but older, often negative images in media persist.