Abstract

“The ‘Slumdog’ Phenomenon” addresses multiple issues related to “Slumdog Millionaire” and, in the process, provides new ways of looking at this controversial film. Each of the book’s four sections considers a particular aspect of the film: its relation to the nation, to the slum, to Bollywood and its reception. The volume provides a critical overview of the key issues and debates stemming from the film, and allows readers to reexamine them in light of the anthology’s multiple perspectives.

Ajay Gehlawat is assistant professor of theatre and film in the Hutchins School of Liberal Studies at Sonoma State University.

‘[A]ddresses a wide variety of issues that would be of interest not only to those studying [this film] in particular, but also to those investigating questions of national cinemas in globalized production and distribution circuits, cultural mediations and representations of the Other, and borrowings and adaptations across different cinematic histories and styles.’ —Usha Iyer, ‘Studies in South Asian Film & Media’

Winner of numerous awards and the epicenter of multiple controversies, Danny Boyle’s 2008 film “Slumdog Millionaire” has fueled a series of debates regarding its depictions of India and the slum, its references to Bollywood, its global circulation and success, and its reception by critics and audiences. “The ‘Slumdog’ Phenomenon” is an edited collection that seeks to address all of these topics and, in the process, provide new and innovative ways of looking at this controversial film. Each of the book’s four sections considers a particular aspect of the film – such as its relation to the nation, to the slum and to Bollywood – along with its reception and theorization.

Collecting, for the first time ever, a wide range of critical essays exploring this film from a rich variety of disciplinary perspectives, “The Slumdog Phenomenon” will be of interest to readers across the academic spectrum. Rather than offering a book-length study of the film from one point of view, this collection presents a variety of shorter pieces that consider “Slumdog Millionaire” from several different angles. Featuring a dynamic combination of landmark essays by leading critics and theorists, as well as newer pieces by emerging scholars, this collection will provide readers with an assortment of critical perspectives on a film that continues to generate fascination, curiosity and controversy around the world.

 “From national allegory, Bollywood, the slum, to the internet – this book comprises bold and exciting essays that explore the phenomenon of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ in terms of its varied pleasures and contradictions. Ranging from the scholarly to the witty, this book is an engaging read.” —Rajinder Dudrah, Director of the Centre for Screen Studies, University of Manchester