Kolkata slum kids inspired after watching Slumdog Millionaire

Over 500 children from slums in Kolkata were treated to a special screening of the Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionaire.

Over 500 children from slums here were treated to a special screening of the Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionaire.

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Coming out of the theatre, the kids said the story of Jamal, an orphaned and poor kid, who eventually becomes a millionaire overnight after winning a television quiz show, inspired them that they too should not take slum life for granted.

"We really like the film because the boy who performs the role of a slum kid is just like us and stays in slum in real life too. We have learnt that we can also progress in life despite coming from a humble background," said Pooja Singh.

"The character of the boy shown in the film also belongs to slums. This is very realistic. From this film, we have learnt to dream big because if you dream big you achieve big," added Kiran Gupta.

"Slumdog Millionaire", a rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum dweller, who goes on to win 20 million dollars in a quiz show, was adjudged the best film in the Oscars ceremony last month.

It also fetched Danny Boyle the best director award, Simon Beaufoy best adapted screenplay and Anthony Dod Mantle the best cinematography award. The film was also awarded for best editing.

"Slumdog Millionaire", based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup''s novel "Q & A", came to the 81st Academy Awards ceremony with ten nominations and failed to win only in the sound-editing category.

Though directed by a British filmmaker, "Slumdog Millionaire" has a mostly Indian cast.