Ok…so now that  the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” has pretty much become an household name, I think its time for me to share with you some additional great news about the film, the cast and producers just in case you haven’t heard. (which maybe only a few of you since the movie has skyrocketed to fame in the last few weeks and everyone is talking about it! I mean everyone!)

Superstars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto pose for The Ravi Report

Since the NY premiere of the film last November when The Ravi Report was front and center at the opening, director Danny Boyle and his cast have been flooded with awards, special recognition and enough nominations and wins to fill Giant Stadium!

“Slumdog Millionaire”has so far to date, won four Golden Globes including one for Best Drama, won five Critics Choice Awards and received 11 BAFTA nominations and is rumored to be a strong contender for best picture  at the Oscars this year.  Everyone associated with the film has gotten worldwide recognition. Actor Dev Patel and Freida Pinto have been on Letterman, CNN, NBC Today, Golden Globes you name it, they have been there! Pinto has been written up in almost every leading fashion magazine regarding her sexy and classic style of clothing, jewellery and shoes. Zac Posen is one of her favorite designers she has told the press. Both Patel and Pinto have become instant superstars in their native home land of London and India.

Award winning director Danny Boyle being interviewed on the red carpet

Director Danny Boyle is basically on cloud nine and should be. His film has done remarkable well at the box office(13 mil budget and cleared over 40 mil so far)  and is still climbing the box office charts in terms of popularity and $$$.

So, the question now being asked by many is how does a small Indian film with unknown lead actors get so much attention and win so many awards? Simple. It’s not rocket science. The film has an excellent story with brilliant casting (thank you Loveleen Tandon. You are a God sent) great music from  genius A.R. Rahman and  incredible performances by three of the biggest names in the Indian film industry Anil Kapoor, Mahesh Manjrekar and Irrfan Khan. Mixed all that together with the Midas touch of director Boyle and you my friends have a great film!

The popularity of the film has increased so much that additional theaters across America and the UK have opened up and shows continue to sell out at certain movie houses which brings me to the age old question that everyone has been asking- will “Slumdog Millionaire” bring home the Oscar?

The incredible team of co-director and casting agent Loveleen Tandon, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy

Well, it’s looking very good these days with the amount of accolades the movie has won and the world wide press it has received.  The feel good film has indeed opened up the hearts of the critics and the public but it has also done something else pretty incredible- it showed the true spirit of Mumbai and the incredible energy the city breeds and all I want to say is if a kid from the slums can become a millionaire overnight then anything is possible!

Academy Awards nominations are on January 22, 2009 and the Oscars will be broadcast live on February 22, 2009 on ABC.

Ravi

www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire