Who Wants To be a Millionaire?

In the movie Slumdog Millionaire, there are many references to classic Greek archetypes. Interestingly enough, these archetypes have much in common with Bollywood archetypes. Bollywood movies, just like Hollywood movies often have characters that fall into very recognizable roles.

Jamal Malik
The Classic Romantic Hero/ the Hero
Jamal is driven throughout the film by his search for Latika, who he has been in love with since they were children. Between him and his brother, he is the moral centre, and the only time we see him doing something wrong is when he is under the influence of his brother as a child, stealing and hustling to survive. During his stint on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", Jamal is pictured in a white shirt and light coloured pants, as though to emphasize his purity.

Latika
The Damsel in Distress
Latika is the reason for Jamal’s journey throughout the movie as he tries to find her and help her. She is also shown as an object of desire to many characters in the film besides Jamal, even Jamal’s brother. In the end, a life with Latika represents Jamal’s “Ultimate Boon”. She is pictured in light, warm coloured clothing to emphasize her femininity and remove her wholly from the more agressive role of the Temptress. Interestingly, she also often has shiny adornments on her clothing, giving her an extra layer of being desired as on object by many characters, just like a precious metal. A classic Damsel in Distress, Jamal and Salim must together work to save her.

Salim
The Mentor/The Trickster/The Scapegoat
Salim is an extremely convoluted character playing many roles throughout the film. In the beginning he protects Jamal after their mother is killed. He comes up with ways to survive until Jamal, Latika and Salim are taken to a camp run by the modern day Fagin, Maman. Ultimately escaping the camp after Maman almost blinds Jamal to increase his begging potential, Salim shows the darker part of his nature. Jamal and Salim jump onto a train, and Latika, who makes her escape with them, is left behind when Salim lets go of her hand as she tries to climb into the train car. He then reverts to his earlier state of Mentor, hustling to provide for Jamal and him. As they get older he turns Trickster, caring for his brother one minute and betraying him the next. In the end, Jamal and Latika are able to be together because of Salim sacrificing his own life to the thugs that employ him, making him the Scapegoat.

An interesting point that Slumdog Millionaire brings up is that ‘’the Ultimate Boon” generally received by the Hero at the end of their journey is not necessarily material. Though Jamal does win the million dollars (or twenty million rupees), the real prize is Latika’s love. Somehow, this seems like nobler goal. It further reinforces Jamal’s role as the Hero.

Question:

• In many ways, the lesson taught in Slumdog Millionaire is similar to the theme of Up. What comparisons can you draw?