An Indian origin, Hollywood-based movie Slumdog Millionaire moves around two orphaned brothers who grew up in the slum areas of Mumbai.

The story begins with 18 year-old Jamal Malik who luckily becomes a contestant on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. Before Jamal can play for the top prize and wins the staggering 20 million rupees, the show ends and he is asked to return the following day to finish the game. The game show host suspects Jamal is a cheater as how can a slum boy answer all the questions. When the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating.

The police brutally interrogate Jamal as they wonder how a boy who grew up in the slums of Mumbai did so well on the show when others who are more educated, intelligent and wealthier than him have failed.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal narrates the story of his life that how he and his brother grew up in a small, shabby house. He shares all the incidents and accidents that took place, their vicious encounters with local gangs, their terrifying adventures on roads, his journey from the Mumbai slums to the hot seat of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and about his first love — Latika — the girl he loved and then lost along the way. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the questions of the game show.

Having an Indian cast and a perfect blend of Hollywood and Bollywood, the movie is simply exceptional. Once again A.R Rehman proves his mettle with beautiful melodies and a title song which matches perfectly with the story line of the movie. Every actor has performed well throughout the movie, the characterisation is perfect, splendid cinematography from the beginning till the end and the plot is excellent, with an ending that ties up everything beautifully.

The movie shows the positive side of life and a way to look at things. Secondly, to give an answer to a question, you do not need to be brilliant or smart. You just need to keep a keen eye on your surroundings.

The story has bagged 10 Oscar nominations in various areas and I would recommend that you watch this movie with your friends and family.           — Noman H Malik