Who wants to be a Slumdog Millionaire?
Slumdog star Anil Kapoor on the 'phenomenal' Danny Boyle
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Wednesday, 18, Feb 2009 02:15
He's the Bollywood legend whose dominant turn as a gameshow host nearly blows a British bright young thing off the screen.
With Slumdog Millionaire heavily tipped for Oscar success, having swept the Golden Globes and Baftas, life will never be the same again for its cast and crew, including veteran Anil Kapoor.
inthenews.co.uk's Lewis Bazley spoke to the man who says "millionaire" like no other after Slumdog had stormed to seven prizes at the Baftas.
Congratulations on your Bafta success - were you expecting to win, given the success the film's already had?
To be honest, wherever we've gone with any of the awards, we've gone not expecting anything. We're so overawed with what we've got and God has always been kind to us. It's been wonderful.
But with four Golden Globes, seven Baftas, success at the Guild awards - you must be feeling confident ahead of the Oscars?
We're just completely humbled by the love people have for the film and the awards we've got already, but we're really not feeling confident, we've always been the underdogs. None of us really feel confident, we are just very grateful to all the fans and to at least be nominated.
Why have people across the world connected with Slumdog?
It's the story, the absolutely phenomenal script, the right people coming together. It's the story of an underdog, a great love story - it's like a combination of Rocky meeting Gone With the Wind or Titanic! (laughs)
Is that a film that audiences are looking for at the moment?
Absolutely. The best part of the love story is that it has a happy ending and that's what the world needs. There's recession and depression and suddenly a film comes along that is very gritty and real but still has a happy ending. With everything the world is going through - all the terrorism, the economic problems - there is still hope with Obama being the president of America. And you know something? Something good is going to happen after all we have been going through over the last few years.
The poster campaign bills it as the 'feelgood film of the decade' and yes, it has a happy ending, but it's a very tough film to watch as well, isn't it?
That's what life is today. If it was just candy floss and had a happy, happy ending, I don't think we would have had such an amazing reaction. I don't think people would have identified with it and felt it was artificial. Life has become tough and gritty, there are so many handicaps in everyday life and ultimately what you hope for is a happy ending - and that's what the film gives.
How did you become involved with the film?
I didn't know who Danny Boyle was! I thought it was a crossover film, the kind that never gets released. But my son told me Danny Boyle was huge and a great director and pointed to the Trainspotting poster outside his room. I've been staring at that bloody poster for the last ten years and didn't realise!
It's like the film says though, it was written that I had to be in this film.
Were you impressed by Simon Beaufoy's script?
I hadn't even read the script when I decided to do the film, it was because my son was hysterical! (laughs) He said he'd walk out of the house if I didn't do it!
How was working with Danny?
It was absolutely phenomenal. I've never met such an energetic, humble, down-to-earth man, such a great craftsman and solider in my entire career.
Is it true that his work ethic is so fierce that he's been known to shoot two units at once?
Absolutely. You have to push him inside the aircraft, otherwise he'll keep filming! (laughs)
The majority of your scenes in the film are with Dev Patel, who was known to British viewers as Anwar in Skins, but is now a Bafta nominee - what did you think of him as a young actor?
He's got a great future. People have loved him and are going to love him in other films in the future. He's a good dresser, a good actor and he's got an excellent head on his shoulders and that's what makes ordinary people into huge stars.
How do you feel about some of the reactions to the film in India? Some have said it portrays India in a negative light or isn't an accurate reflection of Indian poverty, but having grown up in the Mumbai slums yourself, do you feel it's accurate?
Absolutely. But you must keep one thing in mind - this is a fairytale. The concept is fiction, but the whole backdrop is very realistic. In making a film like this, you cannot just the leisurely and brighter side of India, you have to show the reality of our society and our country.
But to be very honest with you, the criticism is very welcome because India is democratic and everyone has the right to give their opinions. These kind of agreements and disagreements and debate after a movie are what makes life. Even Van Gogh, when he did his paintings there was so much opposition but ultimately what comes out is good.
This is a piece of art which is going to make aware of the reality of India.
The film's success is going to impact on the lives of everyone involved, be it Danny Boyle, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto. do you think it'll affect your career?
I feel that this film's going to change everyone's lives. I just pray to God that we remain the way we are and don't the success too seriously. In two weeks' time, everything's going to end, this whole ride and we'll go back to reality and our different jobs and our families. But we have to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, enjoy it, but not take it too seriously.
Lewis Bazley