Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Danny Boyle’s much talked-about “Slumdog Millionaire”, about a slum dweller who wins jackpot on “Kaun Banega Crorepati”, was a favourite at the recently concluded Toronto Film Festival and the British director is overwhelmed with the response.
The film is based on Vikas Swarup’s bestseller “Q and A” and newcomer Dev Patel plays the main lead in the film which was entirely shot in Mumbai.
“It’s an amazing experience here. This is actually the first full-fledged public screening of the film,” Boyle, known for films like “Trainspotting”, “28 Days Later” and “Sunshine”, told IANS.
“We did a few test screenings earlier with a British audience and then we also tested it before Hindi-speaking audience. But other than that, this screening here in Toronto is the first time the film has been shown to a North American audience. And they reacted wonderfully,” he added.
Frieda Minto, film’s leading lady, said: “It’s all new for me. ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is my first film. And clearly the stars of the show are director Danny Boyle and the male lead Dev Patel. But I’m also getting my share of notice here. I never realised it’d go so far.”
Frieda says initially she was having visa problems, but later she got it.
“Luckily it was all sorted in time. It’s a hectic time for me here in Toronto. So many press conferences and media events. And the film is getting immense appreciation. It’s all a new experience for me.”
— By Subhash K. Jha
