That slumdog

I finally saw the Oscar-winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire, which swept 8 Oscars recently. I saw it on DVD as I did not have time to go to the movies. A humble movie about the harsh reality of the poor living in the Mumbai slums. It was not as smashing as I had thought compared to the reviews and awards received. Perhaps I need to watch it at the theater for that effect, I'm not sure (I normally do not watch DVDs preferring to watch a movie on the big screen, I felt it would then do justice to the movie with the sound and theatre effect). I love the little boy who played the younger Jamal.

Nonetheless, it was a feel-good movie albeit the stark truth of humanity and a reminder of how there are people in Third World countries who are still suffering, starving, education-deprived, and their constant fight and struggles for a better living. It was demeaning to be questioned by the police when you are a beggar who just won 20 million rupees and be labelled a cheat. I think if this happened to us, we would have just received the money with glee. Otherwise, we would just sue the authorities (for unlawfully sweeping us to the police station). I guess the success of this movie is purporting the message of realising an impossible dream, the rags-to-riches story. And everyone wants to be a millionaire. Hence it strikes a chord in our heart strings.

Now I heard from the news that the real life father of the young actress from Slumdog, Rubina, is trying to sell her off to some wealthy Middle East family for US$300,000. Her father claimed they have not received the proceeds from the movie, hence he has no choice but to offer her up for adoption. Is he riding on his Oscar child to get him out of the slums in Mumbai?

Christian Corson the producer said: "Danny (Boyle the Director) and I are committed to Rubina and Azharuddin for the long term. We are trying to keep a roof over their heads, and keep them in school until they are 18. The problem is there are a lot of parties who are telling the parents different things. We agreed to buy apartments a couple of months ago but that process stalled because they decided they wanted the money up front instead".

The film makers have set up a trust to give a lump sum to each child when they are 18. Properties will also be placed in trust, with ownership released to the parents only when the children turn 18 and have completed their education. Mr Colson added: "We can't buy the properties outright and give them to them, because in all honesty they will sell them."

I think the family is just getting impatient that they still have not tasted their "fruits of labour" but can we blame them if they are still suffering from poverty with no food to eat? However, I think every parent in his right mind would not choose to abandon his own child for money. Life may be hard, but is it wise to give up your child and break up the family just for the sake of money? It all boils down to one's conscience and life's circumstances.

If they really sell off Rubina, this will spark a world wide outcry, and this real life story may have a sequel to Slumdog Millionaire. And that slumdog, the father, will be playing the lead.