SRK slams Slumdog critics

Shahrukh Khan feels there’s no reason for people to become cynical if a film made on Indian uniqueness has made a mark in the world.

It will open doors for people to understand that there is a lot of visual appeal to India. I hear a lot of people saying that India has been shown in bad light in Slumdog Millionaire. But then my logic to everyone is that why is it that somebody comes from outside and makes a film like Gandhi and Slumdog. All we can say about it is that it is showing India in a poor light,” said Khan.

Many critics including Amitabh Bachchan had said that that the film’s a hard-hitting but exuberant tale of life in a Mumbai slum and is being lauded because it has a Westerner at the helm. SRK also took the opportunity to slam the self-styled “moral policing” elements who object to Valentine’s Day. “We should see Valentine’s as a day of friendship and love and not as a western culture attack. I would say all youngsters should give roses to all the people they love in a good way,” said Khan.

Freida's Fashionable Walk

Freida Pinto is just one film old but the phenomenon that Slumdog Millionaire is, it has made her a household name.

She may have been a plain Jane in SM, but she has been setting the red carpet on fire with consecutive couture clad appearances. With her penchant for high end brands coupled with the expertise of Hollywood stylist George Kotsiopoulos, Freida is a Fashionista that could give most established actresses a run for their money on the red carpet.
What helps is that Freida is an exotic, dusky beauty with shiny locks and a tall, slim frame that was made to be poured into all things designer. Her down-to-earth charm and sweetness is an added asset too. No wonder the camera loves her. Don't you wish you could switch places with her to be adorned in desirable designer gowns and shoes?

Here's taking a look at her spectacular red carpet appearances

The Occasion: The BAFTA Awards on February 8

The Dress: A baby pink gown by veteran designer Oscar De La Renta. Freida looks like a Princess in this form flattering exquisite gown. The colour enhances her earthy complexion, the soft waves and light make up is very classy.

Rating: 9 on 10

The Occasion: The Directors Guild Awards on February 1

The Dress: A sexy, shimmering number by Zac Posen with shoes and clutch by Jimmy Choo. Freida is clearly in designer heaven. The dress is shiny but not over the top; we love the copper and silver hues and the accessories are matched perfectly. The length shows off her toned legs and the draping provides some volume to her petite frame. The curls give her a playful, girly vibe. Perfect!

Rating: 10 on 10

The Occasion: The Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 26

The Dress: A periwinkle blue gown by Marchesa. This gorgeous gown has a very Fairytale feel to it. The silver clutch is a perfect match for it. The lack of a neckpiece accentuates her natural collarbones and with her locks tied up, smoky eye make up and pale lips, Freida is the belle of the ball.

Rating: 10 on 10

The Occasion: The Producers Guild Awards on January 25

The Dress: A pale, coral gown by Donna Karan. This gown has beautiful drapes which give it a very laidback and relaxed feel. The shimmering clutch and bangle jazz it up just right. One again, Freida has smoky eye make up and her blush and lip colour matches the colour of the gown. Very classy!

Rating: 9 on 10

The Occasion: The Los Angeles Film Critics' Association Awards on January 13

The Dress: A Jean Paul Gaultier creation. This sequined black number is obviously sexy while the satin pink and orange fabric that peeps out gives it a luxurious and dressy feel. The black peep toes are perfect. Her light make up enhances her natural complexion.

Rating: 9 on 10

The Occasion: The Golden Globe Awards on January 11

The Dress: A mustard Christian Lacroix gown accessorized with matching jewels and peep toes which add the right amount of sparkle to it. The side parting of her hair looks great and with her dazzling smile, she makes an especially pretty picture

Rating: 9 on 10

The Occasion: The BAFTA/LA Awards Season Tea Party on January 10

The Dress: A yellow knee length number by Derek Lam. The dress is relaxed and elegant, adding volume on the top, accentuating her tiny waist and showing off her fabulous legs. The dark peep toes and clutch provide contrast to the dress, providing a very earthy feel that makes Freida look like an exotic dusky beauty.

Rating: 9 on 10

In Pics: Freida Pinto lives it up in LA

Freida Pinto is having a ball of a time in the States. In her designer attire, she is more than happy to pose for photographers and is busy giving interviews and shopping.

Freida at Los Angeles airport. With the glares, boots and coat, Frieda looks every inch an international star but she as no assistants to run errands for her.


Here, Miss Pretty in Pink is heading to an interview with Extra Magazine carrying the bag she got from the Screen Actors Guild Awards. She has also grabbed a quick bite on the way.


Freida gracing the Directors Guild Awards Red Carpet in a shimmery Zac Posen dress with Jimmy Choo peep toes and clutch


Freida Pinto, looking super chic and girly in her dress, stockings and booties ensemble, outside a video store in LA. Notice the Delhi 6 and Billu Barber posters on the side. The lucky girl loves her new found fame and posing for the paparazzi


Every girl loves shopping and Freida is no exception. She heads out with a bag full of European H&M goodies


Freida and Dev on American TV and Radio personality Ryan Seacrest's show, On Air with Ryan. America can't seem to get enough of Slumdog Millionaire.

Buttery tale on Slumdog Millionaire

The latest film that has been making headlines the world over has had its share of limelight in India too and for all those who loved the film and even for those who kind of detested it, here's a lighter moment from our friends at Amul who never fail to get a smile out of this busy city with their witty yet topical and fun advertisements.

Amul once again as usual hasn't failed, this time with a tale on the Oscar nominated film Slumdog Millionaire featuring the caricatures of Anil Kapoor, A.R. Rahman and the latest hot onscreen couple of Dev and Freida. What's more is that, 'Jai Ho', the song that became a chartbuster has been twisted to 'Chai Ho' in the ad while 'Slumdog' has been changed to 'Hotdog'. What else could be a better way to incorporate the influences of the West and the Indian traits together just like this film which is directed by a westerner and is based in an Indian setting?

Slumdog... a reality television show

The producers of movie sensation "Slumdog Millionaire" are to launch a British television spin-off in which millionaires will visit Mumbai slums to help poor families, the Daily Express reported on Sunday.

The new show, called "Secret Slumdog Millionaire", also takes its name from the successful British television show "Secret Millionaire", in which wealthy businessmen and women move incognito into poor communities and select a person or project for charity.

Episodes often end in tears of joy when the 'secret millionaires' reveal themselves to grateful recipients.

The planned Slumdog TV series is the brainchild of Celador, which co-produced the Oscar-nominated film and also makes the popular television quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" - the inspiration for "Slumdog..." the movie.

The Daily Express said Celador is set to announce the new series soon and is aiming to broadcast it “as soon as possible to cash in the enormous popularity of the movie”.

A television insider told the paper: “It is a fantastic idea….The millionaires who sign up will see real poverty in Mumbai and it is going to be very moving when they reveal their identity and offer these people help."

“The producers are bracing themselves against claims that they are cashing in on poverty but the bottomline is they will actually be helping people as well as making great television.”

"Secret Slumdog Millionaire" is the working title, but could be changed.

Slumdog Kids taken into Hiding

Rubina Ali who played Latika, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail who played Salim and Ayush Khedekar who played Jamal in Slumdog Millionaire have been taken into hiding following the success of the film.

This decision was taken after the international media turned their attention on these slum kids after the announcement that director Danny Boyle had set up a trust fund in their name.

“The children were being hounded by the media which landed up at their home and at their school. So their normal life was being disrupted. As a result of this, they have been secluded and cut off from the media,” informs a crew member.

However, recently there was a controversy that the children who come from the slums of Bandra East have not been paid for their work in the film. The parents alleged that the producers didn’t pay the children well and that they had no idea of a trust fund. The children said that they didn’t care about the money, they were happy with the platform and fame the movie gave them and were very fond of Loveleen Tandon, the co-director of the film who also cast them.

In statements to the press, the producers have clarified that the children have been paid for 30 days’ work, their education till the age of 18 has been paid for, a trust fund which looks after their basic needs and emergencies has been set up and the children will get a lump sum on completing their education. They will be allowed to use the trust fund once they are 16.

With this to and fro between the producers the children's famililes, the three kids were been constantly hounded for statements. This decision was therefore taken to put them into hiding so as to avoid any controversy around the film - especially with the Oscars in just 3 weeks time.

Priyadarshan calls Slumdog Millionaire cheap, trashy

Angry director hates the way Mumbai is portrayed

Indian movie director Priyadarshan has joined the bandwagon in slamming Danny Boyle's underdog saga "Slumdog Millionaire" and has called the film a "cheap trashy mediocre version" of erstwhile Bollywood hits.

"'Slumdog Millionaire' is nothing but a cheap trashy mediocre version of those commercial films about estranged brothers and childhood sweethearts that Salim-Javed used to write so brilliantly in the 1970s. And please quote me clearly on this. If the Golden Globe and Oscars committees have chosen to honour this trashy film it just shows their ignorance of world cinema," Priyadarshan told IANS.

Priyadarshan, whose much-acclaimed film on the silk weavers of “Kanjeevaram” was shown alongside Boyle's film at the Toronto Film Festival last year, feels Indians are exercising prideful property rights over a film that denigrates Mumbai.

"I saw the film with a mixed audience at the Toronto Film Festival. The Westerners loved it. All the Indians hated it. The West loves to see us as a wasteland, filled with horror stories of exploitation and degradation. But is that all there's to our beautiful city of Mumbai?"

He is surprised that Mumbai is celebrating a film that shows only the city's underbelly.

"Why are we taking this treatment? Just because a white man has made 'Slumdog Millionaire', we're so happy with it? I've read Vikas Swarup's novel 'Q&A'. It should have been made by Mani Ratnam. Then you'd have seen what he would have done with Mumbai."

The angry director wonders why there isn't a single shot in 'Slumdog...' that shows the more aesthetic side of Mumbai?

"Why has Danny Boyle not taken one shot of Marine Drive? Do his slum dwellers exist only within their slums? And look at the absurdities...A boy becomes a national hero on a game show. One cop takes him under arrest and interrogates him relentlessly. Where is everyone else? Is this kind of confinement possible in this day and age when television cameras enter your bedroom? If one of our filmmakers had made the same film we would have blasted him out of business."

"Let them give as many Oscars as they like. We don't need to be impressed," ends Priydarshan angrily.

Smear campaign against Slumdog Millionaire

Oscar-frontrunner "Slumdog Millionaire" is probably being targeted by an organised tinsel-town smear campaign with an eye on gate receipts, British and US newspapers say.

“Could an organised smear campaign be about to derail the extraordinary rags-to-riches story of 'Slumdog Millionaire'?” The Independent said on Saturday after the film's makers were hit by a barrage of negative publicity week.

The British filmmakers have been accused of peddling “poverty porn” and of underpaying and exploiting child actors from the slums, forcing the director, producer and distributor to issue point-by-point denials.

A commentary in the Los Angeles Times, headlined "the conspiracy raging against 'Slumdog Millionaire'", has said director Danny Boyle's film is now "unquestioned front-runner and an easy target for rivals".

"Forces [are] at work in India trying to disparage Danny Boyle's surprise hit," said the article by film critic Pete Hammond, who referred to the "suspicious circumstances" surrounding the negative articles "on the very day Oscar ballots were being mailed".

Highly fancied films that have faced criticism in the run up to the Oscars in recent years include "A Beautiful Mind", "The Hurricane" and "Brokeback Mountain", which was seen as "unpatriotic" for its portrayal of gay cowboys.

The Independent said winning the best picture at the Oscars can add $100 million to a film's box-office takings and producers invest about $200 million every year in advertising to support their pictures' Oscar campaign.

Anil Kapoor to star in Boyle's next movie

After making the award-winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, British filmmaker Danny Boyle wants to shoot his next film in Mumbai as well.

He is now planning to make a movie based on the nightlife in Mumbai. It will be a thriller and will star none other than Boyle's favourite, Anil Kapoor.

Anil confirmed the news and said he is doing a thriller with Boyle. However, he refused to divulge further details about the movie.

The director is already on a high after winning several prestigious international awards and securing ten Oscar nominations for “Slumdog Millionaire”.

More honours for Slumdog Millionaire

Danny Boyle's acclaimed film "Slumdog Millionaire" has taken home two more major US film industry awards over the weekend, winning the top prizes from both the Screen Actors Guild and the Producers Guild of America.

Bollywood stars Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan, British Indian actor Dev Patel, and newcomer Freida Pinto received the overall cast prize for the Mumbai-set rags-to-riches saga at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (January 25) night from Anthony Hopkins.

Anil Kapoor, accepting on behalf of the "Slumdog Millionaire" cast, dedicated the award to the slum children shown in the movie.

"They deserve this award. They set our performances," he said. "It's the children who've done it, not us."

The Oscar-nominated film tells the heart-warming story a young man from the slums of Mumbai who risks all for love and for a shot at instant wealth as a contestant on the Indian version of the TV game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".

Patel, who plays the protagonist, and Pinto, his ladylove, introduced the film clip at the event.

"Slumdog Millionaire" also won the top prize from the Producers Guild of America on Saturday (January 24), giving it another boost in the race for the Oscars next month.

The top award from the Producers Guild of America or PGA goes to the movie's producer, in this case Christian Colson, whose previous feature credits consist of three relatively obscure thrillers.

Meanwhile, following its 10 Oscar nominations and expansion into more theatres, "Slumdog Millionaire" has jumped into the North American Top Five for the first time in its 11-week run with its weekend gross soaring by 80 percent to $10.55 million.

Now running in 1,411 theatres across America, up 829 from last weekend, the film has to date grossed a total of $55.92 million, according to the movie website boxofficeguru.com.

The Producers Guild award is considered an important bellwether for Oscar success as its members make up an important constituency of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which votes on the Oscars.

In its first 19 years, 12 of the PGA's top film picks went on to win the Academy Award for best picture, including last year's champion "No Country for Old Men" although the producers missed the mark for three straight years starting in 2005.

Premiere of 'Slumdog Millionaire' - Video

Slumdog bags 10 Oscar Nominations, Rahman 3

As expected, Slumdog Millionaire has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards at the 81st Academy Awards. Rahman has bagged 3 nominations for his compositions in the film.

A. R. Rahman is nominated for Best Original Score category where he competes with Danny Elfman (Milk), James Newton Howard (Defiance), Thomas Newton (Wall E) and Alexandre Desplat (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). And in the Best Song category, Rahman has been nominated not once but twice in the same category.

Director Danny Boyle is up against David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Gus Van Sant (Milk), Stephen Daldry (The Reader) and Ron Howard (Frost/ Nixon) in the fight for Best Director.

In the Best Picture category, Slumdog Millionaire is up against The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk, Frost/Nixon and The Reader

Simon Beaufoy's adapted screenplay is up against those of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Doubt and The Reader

Disappointingly Slumdog hasn't been nominated in any of the acting categories. But Dev Patel who plays Slumdog Jamal Malik is ecstatic. He says "Now that we have been nominated, I am sure we will win also. But every year so many good films are released and so I can just cross my fingers. Actually if Slumdog Millionaire has to win an Oscar then I think it should go to our directors Danny (Boyle) and Loveleen (Tandon) because Loveleen has only taught us about the culture."

Here is a list of all the categories Slumdog Millionaire has been nominated in:
Best Picture
Best Sound Mixing
Best Film Editing
Best Sound Editing
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Director
Best Original Score
Best Song: Jai Ho
Best Song: O Saya

Irrfan Khan gussa with Big B

While Slumdog Millionaire is the toast of the media all over the world, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has made headlines by publicly slamming it. The superstar was upset with the way India’s poverty had been highlighted in the picture. This has saddened the film’s actor Irrfan Khan who plays a cop in the movie.

“I don't know why some Indians feel shy to accept that India is a poor country. We are still a developing country. More than half of population is still poor. Everyone is not a superstar or rich. In India kids still die because of malnutrition. So what if one movie shows poverty in India? The film doesn't show that Indians are bad…it only shows the life in the slums" says Irrfan Khan.

The actor goes on to add that the film is based on a book written by an Indian and that the film has only put on reel what is mentioned in the book.

"I guess Mr. Bachchan has not read the book which is actually written by an Indian writer called Vikas Swaroop. And it is not that the book talks about children who are staying at Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Bandra's Pali Hill. In the book only it was about slum children. It’s not like the book has something different and he (Danny Boyle) has shown something else. He has not done any imaginary thing with this film…it's the book which he put into his film,” argues Irrfan, “It is not possible for him to show children from a rich family becoming millionaire. And I guess Danny has done a wonderful job in the film. Inspite of arguing or saying that he has shown only poverty we should be proud that he has brought a Golden Globe Award for India. It is because of him only that Indian movies have reached those doors which earlier were not possible."

Even Anil Kapoor who bagged the role of the quiz master after Boyle was unable to reach Shah Rukh Khan or get Amitabh’s dates is upset with the comments made.

“India is a democratic country and we all had a right to say what we think and even you can show your review about the film after watching it. So what Mr. Bachchan has done is that he has just presented his views about the film,” says Anil diplomatically.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE - Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh

First things first! SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE deserves all the accolades and awards that it has been receiving of late and will continue receiving in the future. Also, in this writer's individualistic opinion, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE doesn't make a mockery or an attempt to sell the poverty of India to the West.

Sure, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE depicts life on the mean streets of Mumbai, so what? Doesn't it exist? Should we ridicule the effort it just because a gora has made it? We don't raise a noise when Indian film-makers do so, so why now? Double standards!

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is, at heart, a love story and director Danny Boyle treats it like a Bollywood film. In fact, the screen writing [Simon Beaufoy] is so smart, so energetic [he must be a big fan of Bollywood] that everything is spoon-fed to the viewer, unlike most international films.

Sure, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is dark and gory at places, but at the end of it all, it offers a ray of hope for those who've been plain unlucky when it comes to the materialistic things of life and most importantly, love.

So what's the final word? Jai Ho!

Accused of cheating and desperate to prove his innocence, an eighteen-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai reflects back on his tumultuous life while competing to win the prized money on India's 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'.

Jamal [Dev Patel] may not have a penny to his name, but that could all change in a matter of hours. He's one question away from taking the top prize on India's most popular television game show, but as with everything else in Jamal's life, it isn't going to be easy.

Arrested by police under suspicion of cheating, Jamal is interrogated by the authorities. The police simply can't believe that Jamal could possibly possess the knowledge to get this far in the game, and in order to convince them of how he gained such knowledge, Jamal begins reflecting back on his childhood.

As young boys, Jamal and his older brother Salim lived in squalor and lost their mother in a mob attack on Muslims. Subsequently forced to rely on their own wits to survive, the desperate siblings fell back on petty crime, eventually befriending adorable yet feisty young Latika as they sought out food and shelter on the unforgiving streets of Mumbai.

Though life on the streets was never easy, Jamal's experiences ultimately instilled in him the knowledge he needed to answer the tough questions posed to him on the show.

Danny Boyle and screenplay writer Simon Beaufoy join hands to create one of the most engaging rags-to-riches story of a boy raised in the slums of Mumbai. A few scenes may put you off completely, but if you're a Mumbaite, you must've surely encountered such characters on the back of your street.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE keeps you hooked, there's not a single dull moment and most importantly, your heart pines for the lovers [Jamal and Latika] to unite, after all that they've gone through in life. That's one of the prime reasons why SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE works big time.

If Boyle's direction and Beaufoy's screen writing works, so does A.R. Rahman's exuberant musical score. The background score is eclectic, while the song 'Jai Ho' [at the conclusion of the film] is mesmeric. The camera [Anthony Dod Mantle] captures the streets of the metropolis remarkably. Note the chase at the very start, with a constable chasing the young Salim and Jamal in the slums. Brilliant!

Dev Patel is top notch, while Anil Kapoor is highly competent. Freida Pinto does very well. Irrfan Khan gives his individualistic style to his role. Mahesh Manjrekar and Saurabh Shukla are first-rate. Madhur Mittal [older Salim] is alright. Ankur Vikal spells terror. Special mention must be made of the young actors in the film; they are such fine actors. Especially the young Salim and Jamal.

On the whole, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a must-see! One of the finest films of our times, this one should not be missed for any reason.

Danny Boyle: Bollywood stars had no dates for me

Danny Boyle is the man of the moment. His film Slumdog Millionaire has wowed the West and won him countless awards – the most recent being the Golden Globe. The director behind Hollywood films like Trainspotting, The Beach, 28 Days Later, Millions and Sunshine says he had no choice but to take Anil kapoor as the rest of the so called A listers in Bollywood had no time for him.

“In Bollywood stars are so busy with their work that they don't have time. Even in Hollywood stars are not so busy which I found very strange,” says Danny whose first choice for the role of the quizmaster was Shah Rukh Khan and subsequently Amitabh Bachchan. However the director says that neither of the two biggest Bollywood stars had any time or dates for him.

“But later Lovleen introduced me to Anil Kapoor and he was the only actor who had the dates to do my film. Then I watched his films like Mr. India and Taal and I loved his performance so I signed him but afterwards I have realized that he is the only candidate who could do this role,” says Boyle.

One of the main concerns for the popular international director was the accent. Boyle was worried about the accent and the fluency in English as far as Anil was concerned.

“I thought we would have to work hard for dubbing but when I met Anil he could speak English and that also in an American accent. And not only with Anil… I enjoyed working with Lovleen also. I didnn't want a 20 year old boy or girl to play a character of 6 year old kid and so Lovlin suggested that we could take three different kids to play the same character and these kids were brilliant. Even for the characters of Jamal and Latika played by Freida … the casting was done by Lovleen. I remember we had taken so many auditions for Freida's role but just couldn’t find the right person and then Lovleen showed me Freida's audition and I was convinced,” says Danny.

The international director who is pegged to take home the awards on Oscar night next month says he has also become a fan of Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan who plays the cop in Slumdog Millionaire.

“I would love to say one thing... Irrfan Khan is one of the greatest actors in your industry. I have become a fan of him,” he says.

When asked about the criticism directed towards his film by some people including superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Danny seems unperturbed. “To get criticism is a part of making a film. It will only help me grow in my profession. And I guess every one has right to show their feelings especially in India because it is a democratic country!"

I don’t regret turning down Slumdog: SRK

One week after the Golden Globes and Slumdog Millionaire, Shah Rukh Khan talks to BT about going to LA and walking on stage with lead actress Freida Pinto in hand to present Danny Boyle’s film on Mumbai with the prestigious award. “It was a historic moment and I felt proud to be an Indian,” said the actor who was introduced as the King of Bollywood and who...yes, had rejected the role in the film that subsequently went to Anil Kapoor!

How different was the Golden Globes from our award shows?
The people are very gracious and are genuinely happy for each other’s success. In India we go to such functions only to collect our own awards and sneak away. There people stayed back and shared the happiness in the get-together.

Were you intimidated by Hollywood’s biggies?
No, I felt confident like always. Given a chance, I would have shown them some Bollywood pelvic movements!

What stopped you?
I don’t know how they would have taken it, they are not familiar with our humour, it would have been a little out of place.

How are Hollywood’s A-listers?
Usually I am very anti-social. But that night I was taken around and it was wonderful to meet everyone. People spoke very graciously about Bollywood. I am naturally shy of women, but when I saw Demi Moore, Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez, I must say... they are so beautiful! I was introduced to Mark Antony and Dustin Hoffman, too. There was Beyonce and Gerard Butler whom I know from before. Emma Thompson, who I know since the last three years, blew me a flying kiss.

You regret not accepting the role that Anil Kapoor played?
No. I know Danny felt bad about it. But he is such a good human being. And his love for India is something very special. After I saw the film, I thought Anil had done a fabulous job and deserves every bit of the
success.

Other roles that you refused (Lagaan, Munnabhai MBBS and now 3 idiots) went on to make big news...
There shouldn’t be any afterthought once a decision is made. Nobody could have done a better job than Sanjay Dutt in Munnabhai... Yes, I was keen to do Lagaan, but Ashutosh and I didn’t get a producer at that time. I wasn’t into production then. And I didn’t do 3 Idiots which Aamir is doing now. Looks like Aamir was destined to do both the roles. He is brilliant, no doubt. Everything isn’t made for me alone. God has given me enough, I’d better be happy and contented.

Directors upset with Big B’s Slumdog remarks

Indian directors are very upset with Amitabh Bachchan. From Shekhar Kapur to Kunal Kohli, Sriram Raghavan to Bhavna Talwar - all leading Indian filmmakers disagree with the Bollywood megastar’s off-the-cuff remarks slamming Danny Boyle's Golden Globe winning underdog drama Slumdog Millionaire for exposing India's "dirty underbelly".

"A film is made by a filmmaker's vision and sensibility, not nationality. Any film that tells a compelling human story and moves an audience will be appreciated by all. Human emotions are universal, be it an Indian or Western audience," Bhavna Talwar, who directed critically acclaimed Dharm.

Shekhar Kapur agrees with Talwar. "Let's get it right - 'Slumdog...' is an Indian film. It is easily the most successful Indian film ever. So what if it the funds came from outside India. The funds for 'Bandit Queen' came from the same source and it is considered an Indian film. The funds for 'Chandni Chowk to China' came from Warner Brothers, but it is considered an Indian film," Kapur noted on his blog, "Except for the director, screenwriter and one of the producers, everyone else of the 100-odd people that make a complete film unit were Indian. The film is also based on book by an Indian author.”

"Audiences do not judge a film on the basis of its maker, but how the film is made. Since 'Slumdog...' is such a good film, it would have got such a reaction even it were made by any director whether Indian or Westner," said Kunal Kohli.

Based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's bestseller Q&A, Slumdog Millionaire has become the cynosure of all festivals around the world and won four Golden Globe awards apart from bagging 11 nominations at the forthcoming BAFTA awards. It is tipped to a big draw at Academy Awards too.

Swarup too argues the film does not portray the "underbelly" of Indian poverty.

"What it shows is that stories from India are finding increasing resonance in the world. There is a huge hunger about to know about India," Swarup, currently India's deputy high commissioner to South Africa, says.

"The novel strikes a chord with ordinary people because it's about endless possibilities of life - anything is possible. The themes the novel explores like love, friendship and fate, are universal," he added.

Big B was never approached for Slumdog Millionaire

Speculation about Amitabh Bachchan turning down the role of the game-show host in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire finally comes to an end. The Big B confirms that the offer never came to him.

Strange, considering he plays a very important part in the plot as the mega-icon of the all the slum dwellers of Boyle's Big Mumbai Drama.

The Big B would've been the most natural choice for the part of the game-show host especially since he has hosted the show Kaun Banega Crorepati (which forms such an integral part of Slumdog Millionaire) with such spectacular success in real life.

So far we had heard that the Big B and Shah Rukh Khan who have hosted the globally successful game show, were approached for the host's part.

However, the film's casting director Loveleen Tandon now confirms that the mega-stars were never approached for the character as he is much too villainous.

Says Tandon, "In fact the game show host is far more negative in the original novel (by Vikas Swarup). But we changed that. Still, audiences the world over would have been put off if they saw Mr. Bachchan playing this game -show host who wants the young hero Jamal to lose at any cost."

She continues, "We changed all of that and still found the role unsuitable for Mr. Bachchan. For God's sake, he plays the national icon in the film. We couldn't show him as cunning game-show host. We even thought of changing the identity of the slum-boy's icon from Mr Bachchan so he could play the game-show host."

"We decided against that. Mr. Bachchan is too much of our hero and too representative of Bollywood globally to be sacrificed for a character's sake. We preferred to retain his character of the entertainment badshah and cast someone else as the host."

Anil Kapoor was roped in for the game-show host's role. "But we did need Mr. Bachchan to make an appearance as himself," reveals Loveleen Tandon. It was for a scene where a mass of slum dwellers spot "Amitabh Bachchan ka helicopter" hovering in the air. The icon had to descend and sign the young hero's autograph.

"For that," reveals the casting director. "We approached Feroz Abbas Khan, the guy who has made a career out of impersonating Mr. Bachchan. He's uncanny in his imitation of the icon. Even the way the duplicate signs the autograph is exactly the way the original does it."

Dev Patel and Freida Pinto appear together before 'People'

For all those who are wondering if the headline is 'misleading', then, let us clarify it to you... We are talking about the hottest onscreen couple of this season, viz., Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, the lead pair of the worldwide smash hit film Slumdog Millionaire.

And it is this cute-couple who have been chosen as the cover-people on the latest issue of the smash-hit magazine 'People'. This issue features an interesting interview with Dev and Freida. One has to get his hands on the magazine in order to know how the self-confessed 'skinny guy' Dev Patel swished a 'good-looking actor' to bag the lead role. If that's not enough, Freida too goes on record to speak about her first hand experience at the auditions! This issue also carries an exclusive story about Shah Rukh Khan playing a real-life hero to Kashmiri orphans. Way to go, SRK!

With the release of Slumdog Millionaire being lined up this week, it will be exciting to see if the couple manages to impress the Indian audiences and get acclaim, similar to what is happening in the west.

Industry reacts on Rahman being the first Indian to win a Golden Globe Award

Mira Nair: "The most innocent and lovely image on American television in years was the sight of our beloved A.R. Rahman on tiptoe hugging a loved one before he got the Golden Globe. How wonderful to see this rush of talent being recognized. Go, Slumdog!"

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: "This is absolutely fantastic news. Superb in the superlative. Heartiest congratulations to him. He's truly blessed. An incredible talent, a wonderful soul and has always been and will be the pride of our country."

Pritam Chakraborty: "Wow ...I was kind of expecting this. Congratulations to him. It's a proud moment for any Indian especially the music fraternity. I pray that it's just the beginning for him."

Amitabh Bachchan: "Congratulations. A reward most deserving."

Abhishek Bachchan: "What a glorious moment for him. He continues to make us proud. I'm very lucky to have worked with him in Yuva, Guru and Delhi 6. My congratulations to him."

Gulzar: "It's the horse that has won the race. The one riding the horse was Rahman. My lyrics for 'Jai Ho' were just the lagaam for the horse. Rahman has always been a clutter-breaker. He broke the antara-mukhda-antara (stanza-intro-stanza) mould in Hindi film songs. Now he has broken into the international arena. I'm working with him on the new Mani Ratnam project Raavan. As always it's a pleasure. All I can say for Rahman is, Jai Ho."

Bappi Lahiri: "It's a great honour for Bollywood. We're all proud of A R Rahman. God bless him."

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra: "I guess on the way to the Oscars he has picked up a Golden Globe. The best thing about his music in Slumdog Millionaire (SD) is that his work in the film is so revolutionary and potent, that he made the jury's job easier. God bless Rahman for bringing India back on the cultural world-map. This will pave the way for bigger things from him and from our country."

Javed Akhtar: "I'm thrilled happy and proud, but not at all surprised. It's inevitable for a genius like Rahman to get international acclaim."

Shekhar Ravjiani: "A. R. Rahman is a genius. The music of SM is outstanding. It deserves every award on this planet. I'm extremely happy for him."

Udit Narayan: "I've had the singular pleasure of working with A. R. Rahman many times. In fact I had sung for the last India-based film Lagaan that had his music. He's a fine human being and composer. I always say good things happen to good people. This honour that he has brought to the country proves it. Today when I have cut down on my singing I realize he's one of the composers I'd want to sing for even if I stopped singing."

Ashutosh Gowarikar: "In one word he is fan-tas-tic! He's a trailblazer. I'm so very proud of him, too thrilled! And his speech at the Golden Globe ceremonies was superb, short and sweet full of gratitude for his fans. Wow! I'll exhale only when I meet him."

Sunidhi Chauhan: "When I heard Rahman saab had won a Golden Globe it didn't register for a while. It took me time to understand what he has done. I'm too, too happy to say anything. I haven't sung too many songs from him. Recently, I sang a Hindi song for him in an English-language film. Singing an A.R Rahman composition is a privilege. I'm glad the West is realizing his worth."

Shreya Ghoshal: "I'm extremely happy and thrilled to hear this. It's a huge achievement. I'm very proud of Rahman sir. This is just the beginning for him."

Anu Malik: "I'm not surprised. Such talent comes once in a lifetime. I'm in London and I caught the film and its music. It's terrific. A great day for our great country. A R Rahman is a genius. I'm sure he's going to get an Oscar now. I salute A R Rahman. Mark my words. Next month Rahman will also get the Oscar for SM. It is brilliant. I'm so happy for him. With the Oscar coming to Rahman the Indian music industry would've come a long way."

Farhan Akhtar: "I'm very happy for him. The recognition is truly deserved. Congratulations to Rahman and Danny Boyle."

Vishal Bhardwaj: "Things just won't stop here for Rahman. The genius shall now bring an Oscar for us. Insha Allah."

Aditya Narayan: "It's incredible! He's the first Indian artiste to be working internationally at such a high level. I've had the pleasure of singing for him when I was a child in Taal. Of course now everyone will say he had it in him. Here's one artiste who just does his work, and wastes no time in publicity gimmicks. I think India is just getting ready for international recognition."



Bipasha Basu: "He's an absolute genius. He deserves every award. And the applause he's getting globally is richly deserved. I feel immense pride."

Anand Raj Anand: "He deserves it. He's the only music director who got opportunities to work in terrific banners and super-talented directors. I wish him many many more achievements."

Sameer Anjaan: "It's a proud moment for every Indian. I'm lucky to have worked with him. He deserves much more."

Aadesh Shrivastava: "Bahut garv hota hai apne desh ke prati. Jai Hind."

Himesh Reshammiya: "He deserves it. He's my favourite."

Ameesha: "Rahman is a modern-day Mozart. A complete genius. I wish him the Oscar next."

Kunal Ganjawala: "This is just the beginning of many more international awards to come for Rahman."

KK (singer): "He deserves it. Glad he brought it for us. He's someone who understands music and what it does for our soul. Truly Indian too. God bless him .This is just the beginning."

Irrfan Khan: "Rahman ki jai ho aur aage Indian cinema ki bhi jai ho. I'm part of SM and meri bhi jai ho."