Synopsis

Jamal Malik, an orphan from Mumbai's slums, reaches the final question on India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Arrested on suspicion of cheating, he recounts the childhood experiences that supplied each answer. His story moves through poverty, violence, separation, and his enduring love for Latika, revealing how an extraordinary life prepared him for the quiz show.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is a loose adaptation of Vikas Swarup's novel Q & A. Simon Beaufoy's screenplay substantially reshaped the book, including the central love story and the protagonist's identity.

• The quiz show is based on the real international format Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Rights to reproduce the show's format were secured through Celador, which held the relevant television rights.

• Slumdog Millionaire won eight Academy Awards at the 81st ceremony, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song for "Jai Ho."

• Composer A.R. Rahman's work helped make the soundtrack a major part of the film's international impact. "Jai Ho" later became a widely recognized crossover hit.

• Many scenes were filmed in Mumbai, including locations in and around Dharavi and Juhu. The production used real urban environments to give the film its fast, crowded visual texture.

• The pile of waste into which young Jamal jumps was created from peanut butter and chocolate rather than actual excrement.

• Money set aside for the three principal child performers was placed in trusts, with the production also arranging daily transport to school until they reached age 16.