Slumdog Millionaire premieres in Mumbai Posted Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:02am AEDT
- *Video: *Slumdog Millionaire scoops 10 Oscar nominations (ABC News) <http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200901/r332724_1502720.asx> Critically-acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire premiered in the film's home city of Mumbai to a huge media fanfare and numerous Bollywood stars overnight, shortly after it earned 10 Oscar nominations. The rags-to-riches story about a boy from one of the city's teeming slums competing on a TV game show was nominated in three key categories - best director, best adapted screenplay and best picture. "The city opened its arms to us. I don't want anyone to miss out on the debt of gratitude that we owe to this city," director Danny Boyle told reporters ahead of the premiere. A crush of media greeted Bollywood stars and production company executives on the red carpet amid the sound of traditional Indian drums. The entire cast and crew danced down the walkway. Slumdog Millionaire already won four honours at Hollywood's Golden Globes this month, including best drama, and has been nominated for 11 BAFTA awards. Meanwhile, the film's famed music composer, AR Rahman, picked up three Oscar nominations. "It's incredible. Three for AR [Rahman] - you can't beat that," Boyle said. But despite the international plaudits, Boyle arrived in Mumbai earlier this week to accusations by some parts of the Indian media that his film is voyeuristic "poverty porn." Boyle, known for his unconventional storytelling in films like Trainspotting, has been accused of romanticising slums, begging rackets, prostitution and crime. The director says he was just trying to capture Mumbai's "lust for life." Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, who stars in Slumdog, on Thursday (local time) said the controversy might dissuade foreign filmmakers from coming to India. "It creates a wrong atmosphere. There are countries who give incentives to filmmakers because when a film comes to a country, it brings money, it brings jobs," he told Reuters. - *Reuters* * http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/23/2472875.htm?section=entertainment * -- regards, Vithur
