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Slumming it gleefully

Photo: Raju. V.

Doing write thing Movie buffs scribble messages to be seen by maestro Rahman

Critics across the world may have dubbed Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire a squalor depicting teeming jungle of gang warfare and child exploitation. Some have called it implausible while others agreed only to include that th e tale is as implausible as irresistible. Then there is this marvel of colour, music and life in it that makes it difficult for one to harbour a grudge against the film.

If Dharavi, Asia’s biggest ‘slum’ is a place of poverty and hardship, it is also a place of enterprise, humour and non-stop activity. Even if one takes off all the gloss and sheen artistically put on the embarrassing eyesore in the heart of India’s financial capital, the film has earned some good reputation by showing its community spirit. If portrayal of young children playing with stray dogs among the filth and rubbish has been construed as an audacious projection of India’s most crippling problem, the resounding success that followed in the aftermath of the British director’s venture has set an optimistic trend.

The film brought into sharp focus the dire straits of young kids in slums across the country. The rare boldness in the depiction has left no scope for overlooking the harshness of the issue any longer. The shanties of Dharavi soon turned into hot destination for school children accompanied by their teachers who want the young ones to have a pragmatic ride for a reality-check on the practicalities of life.

Closer home, taking cue from such constructive activities, the management of INOX cinema theatre in the city is celebrating the success of Slumdog Crorepati, a Hindi version of the Oscar-winning movie, in a unique way. Taking up the cause of children in the city slums, on behalf of Child Aid Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, INOX invites donations for the lesser privileged from its patrons.

Switching over to celebration mode, the revellers at the theatre have placed a massive flex board in the plush lobby for visitors to scribble their fondest wish for the magician who weaved Oscar-winning magic in Slumdog…A visit to the theatre will serve twin purpose. You go watch the movie and grab the privilege of writing your message on the board that will be sent to the music maestro in Chennai. Also carry along donations in the form of clothes, books, toys and other articles (Not to send them to the child artistes of Dharavi). They will reach lesser-privileged kids in the slums around. “The film has inspired us to do our bit for children in need of care and support. We hope to reach out to a large number of them through this unique drive,” says Penchal Reddy, the unit manager.

In addition, gift vouchers worth Rs. 500 are being given to people who buy three or more tickets of Slumdog Crorepati and to those who buy a food coupon worth Rs.135.

Well, it’s time to rise to the call of the moment and demonstrate compassion. Being concerned does include perceiving others’ pain and distress and being motivated to relieve it. The far more important aspect of it is sharing your happiness and joy. You don’t need spirituality of the senses to empathize a cause. More importantly, you don’t have to liquidate all your assets to bring a smile on the faces of young children in need of care and support.

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