Slumdog

Slumdog Millionaire triumphed over much larger-scale films that were far more expensive to make. Oscars in hand, director and co-producer Danny Boyle said he hopes that sends a message to aspiring moviemakers.

Priya, 17, has chosen to be a slumdog, and her life reads like a film script.

"I am poor, but don't call me slumdog," said Rekha Dhamji, 18.

“India is not really about ‘Slumdog Millionaire.’ It’s about slumdogs versus millionaires, and that’s what you’re seeing in Delhi now.”

This trope appeals to audiences and award juries alike, while avoiding the obvious issue that there’s a lot of slumdogs who will never become millionaires.