Today we saw Slumdog Millionaire at the cinema. We’ve been back from India some months now but boy does this film return one into the thick of it. The film can give people a good feel for the modern India. No Bollywood dancing that would normally send most western viewers running for cover. OK, right at the end, but I think the director is maybe paying homage to the genre.
In Bangalore, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and the list goes on, we saw in each just a little bit more of ‘modern’ Indian life. From images in my minds eye, I recall the poorest of the poor (sometimes physically disabled), those beggars or performing children on the curb sides; to the glitterati of Indian film and TV as we were wined and dined at the hotels that can only be described as the best of the best.
As the film ended, I had again the strong feeling that India is indeed so much more than most Westerners would credit. Troubled, maybe. But with such huge potential that I do wonder whether I will be back. The headiness of India can be quite intoxicating, as can a large wardrobe when it falls on ones head (search for wardrobe on this site and you’ll know just what I mean ;-) ).
