Slumdog Millionaire - Deceiving appearance vs. underlying reality

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Slumdog Millionaire: Deceiving appearance vs. underlying reality
Introduction
Slumdog Millionaire depicts the success story of Jamal, a slum dweller who overcomes the odds in his life to become successful. Major characters in the film include Jamal, his brother Salim, his girlfriend Latika, Maman; the gang leader, Javed; Maman’s rival in crime and Kumar; the contest’s host. All the characters play a significant role in the film highlighting the theme of appearance vs. reality. Jamal appears as a simple slum dweller, but the reality lies behind his confidence and determination to get what he wants as he wins his way to the grand prize
Plot summary
In 2008, Danny Boyle directed “Slumdog Millionaire”, a British drama film written by Simon Beaufoy. Slumdog millionaire is set in the Indian slums of Mumbai combining elements of investigative crime, as well as adventure. The film highlights Jamal Malik’s tale, a slam dweller that goes beyond his appearance as a slum dweller to win the grand prize of 20 million rupees in the “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” contest. No one could believe that an illiterate street child from the slums could participate in the contest and answer all the questions correctly. Jamal’s ability to respond to all the questions derives from his slum life, flashbacks of his brother Salim, and occurrences in street life.
The preceding events in Jamal’s life including the untimely demise of his mother at the Bombay riots, and his brother selling Amitabh Bachchan’s autograph inspire his determination answer all the questions correctly. After torture by police and consequent repeat of the questions by the inspector, Jamal reveals that each of the questions relates to a particular memory from his past inspired by a girl named Latika, whom he loves and wants to spend the rest of his life. The unfolding events in the movie depict that Jamal was fated to be a millionaire based on the events from his past ranging from dealings with the bunch of criminals to the run with Maman, a hoodlum who trains street children to become singing beggars. Jamal, Latika and Salim learn of the vice and decide to take off onto a departing train. As they jump into the train, Salim lets go Latika’s hand, and the hoodlums recapture her. Salim and Latika spend the next few years pick pocketing, hawking and stealing shoes while disguised as tour guides. Jamal and Salim decide to return to Mumb...