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  • Essay / The depiction of India in The Slumdog Millionaire

    Slumdog Millionaire as a film may appear to present the daily lives of people living in Indian slums, but it is a globalized depiction of Eastern culture, realized through a Western filmmaker who effectively depicts an empathetic story filled with angst and violence that ends in love and happiness, where "the characters are a selection of half-drawn stereotypes, barely sketched notions of criminals and lapdogs, far removed from the complexities and sorrows of real life” (Amlani, 2009). ). Through the typical story of an underdog who ultimately prevails and finds love, the utterly clichéd film unsurprisingly resonates with "Western consumer values ​​of monetary gain and the universal values ​​of love" (na , 2015). This essay will argue that, through globalization and an undeniable level of orientalism, the depiction of the slums in this film is not only manufactured to enhance a trip, but also derogatory and a facade used to please Western audiences and gain praise for its supposed representation of the real India. There is also discussion that Slumdog Millionaire fails to show the true extent of urban poverty in the Global South. The film not only benefited from local representation, but it may also be poverty porn, which uses a Westernized theme that fails to encompass the depth of inequality in the South. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essaySlumdog Millionaire depicts a problematic depiction of India and its slums through cultural and national issues, in part because the The film was made for profit, and also because of a westernized approach to the storyline that continually demonstrates a sense of orientalism. While the film attempts to highlight aspects of "child prostitution, gang violence and thematic explorations of poverty" (Chan, 2010) through scenes such as children being blinded and Jamal's mother being beaten , Western audiences then perceive this as an “authentic third world experience”. of poverty, misery and repression” (Chan, 2010). This in turn is problematic as the representation of India in the world is reduced to the concept of slums and a sense of inferiority, cementing the idea that the film is steeped in orientalism. Another reason why the film should be criticized is the realization that the story was primarily produced and directed by Europeans, while the actors may have been local, the adaptation and cinematic experience were all made by people who thought they were conveying the real India. Other critics believe that “Boyle conveniently presents misperceptions about India (and the East) that continue to support the dominant Western view of the subcontinent” (Chan, 2010). Although Slumdog Millionaire depicts realistic aspects of India to some extent, one must also consider the culturally mixed background music, the protagonist wearing Western clothing in an attempt to fit in and succeed, and the ending cliché of being with your love. Considering all the aspects mentioned above, it is becoming increasingly clear that this film was made to support long-held Western views and aestheticize the slums of India, leading to a surge in tourism of poverty, but without any real positive effect on the people who live their lives. in the slums. By attracting audiences from Northern countries, people are.