REVIEW | By Kumkum Ramchandani  »  A friend of mine hated Slumdog Millionaire. According to her, the film is neither here nor there - neither a comedy, nor a serious flick. It veers crazily between reality (slums) and improbability (a slum child winning the jackpot on the strength of his life experiences). 

Moreover, my friend says, her voice quivering in disgust, when are we going to stop portraying the negative side of India and show the progress? How long do we play up to the world's perception of its second most populous country as one of stark opposites, that is, extreme poverty and extreme wealth, extreme dirt and extreme beauty, saintly people versus the highly corrupt, etc., etc.

For those who don't know, the movie is based on the shenanigans of an 18 year old boy, born and raised in the slums of Mumbai, who wins the jackpot in the TV show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The boy is tortured by the sponsors of the show, who cannot believe that he could have done it without cheating. 

The film has slick and visually appealing vignettes of poverty-stricken life and it glorifies the scruffy children who are brought up in slums and have to depend on their wits and quick thinking to achieve their dreams. 

I can't say that I totally disagree with my friend. I can understand her point of view but here's what I think : if an Indian instead of a Brit had produced and directed this flick, her reaction may have been different. Somehow it's easier on the palate if an Indian shows the stark side of the country. When a non-native does so one is more sensitive to the nuances.

Secondly, who says that every film has to be either serious or funny? Why should every film have a message? What's happened to just sheer entertainment value? And no-one can dispute the fact that Slumdog has that in plenty.

As for the slum scenes and the slum children, I thought they were portrayed with just the right blend of humour and pathos. Without seeming preachy the film imparted a subtle message - that everything is possible but in the mean time, we should not stop smiling. 

I think that this wonderful movie deserved each one of its four Golden Globes. If it shows the same track record at the Oscars, I, for one, will be dancing with joy!