I was one of the few who watched Slumdog Millionaire almost five days after its release in the theatres. I have been gushing and raving since.
I was one of the few who watched
Slumdog Millionaire almost five days after its release in the theatres. I have been gushing and raving since.
But I’ve also been wondering what happens to Jamal and Latika next. The cynic in me,
I think, has overpowered the ‘happily ever after’ romantic.
As a rule, after a mighty rise comes the great fall and so on. The stock market experts now live by these words. Why should it be any different for Jamal and Latika then, I wondered.
Trying to develop the story in my head, I got fodder from the unlikeliest of places, e.g. visualising Robinho as Jamal.
Strangely enough, the Brazilian fits in perfectly. In fact, he even takes the story forward.
The slumdog from the poor neighbourhood of Sao Paulo makes his love for football shape his destiny. He rises from abject poverty, crime, drugs and a life with guns to international superstardom.
From his local club Ber mar to Santos, the slumdog breaks away, growing wings. But the past haunts him still. His mother is kidnapped and only freed when a ransom is paid. The incident affects his form and peace of mind. But he can’t stop the pursuit of his love.
Then, Real Madrid come calling. He joins a rank full of giants, of fiercer slumdogs, who, like him, once ran the streets bare feet. The success is dizzying. Begin the nights of endless pleasures, alcohol, dancing and women. Some say the flamboyance was a by-product of low sense of worth because of a childhood spent in poverty.
Intoxicated by the high life, our slumdog slackens. Other slumdogs almost equal in intent and skill, are lurking in the vicinity, waiting to pounce and grab their million out of misery.
Losing ground, slumdog wants to break away again so that he can be top dog.
On the last day of transfer window, our slumdog wins his million dollar lottery. He signs for Manchester City, a newly-rich club he believes he’ll be the saviour of. He believes he will take the club to new heights, in the process become the greatest practitioner of the love.
Not many were happy by his decision but when he gets on the score sheet in his
debut game, for that brief while the fairytale seems believable. We cheer the
Slumdog Millionaire.
But life’s trough catches up soon enough. Despite his 11 goals in 17 games, City is 9th in the premiership table. His great buddy Kaka refuses the multi-million dollar bait. Insecurity creeps in and slumdog seeks an escape.
And the biggest blow comes when the slumdog is arrested on rape charges. He is not guilty till proven so, but life rarely ends on the high of
Jai Ho!
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}