The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Slumdog Millionaire
Entertainment • Film

Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British drama film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British drama film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy. Loosely based on Vikas Swarup’s novel Q&A, it follows Jamal Malik, a young man from Mumbai who becomes a contestant on India’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and is questioned by police over how he knows the answers.

Plot

The film centers on Jamal Malik, who reaches the final stage of a television quiz show and is then interrogated by police on suspicion of cheating. His life story is used to explain how he knows the answers.

Production

Slumdog Millionaire was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy, with Loveleen Tandan credited as co-director in some sources. It is based on the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup and was filmed in India.

Awards and reception

The film received major international acclaim and won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It also received recognition from BAFTA and the Golden Globes.

Cast

The principal cast includes Dev Patel as Jamal Malik and Freida Pinto as Latika, with Madhur Mittal and Anil Kapoor also appearing in key roles.

Key facts

  • The film was released in 2008 and is widely described as a British drama film.
  • It was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy.
  • The story is loosely based on Vikas Swarup’s novel Q&A.
  • The plot follows Jamal Malik, a Mumbai slum resident and contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
  • The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
  • Dev Patel made his film debut as Jamal Malik.
🍁
Canadian context

The film received wide international distribution and critical attention in Canada as part of its global awards success, making it a familiar title for Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Slumdog Millionaire about?
It follows Jamal Malik, a young man from Mumbai’s slums, as he competes on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and explains his knowledge during police questioning.
Who directed Slumdog Millionaire?
The film was directed by Danny Boyle.
What is Slumdog Millionaire based on?
It is loosely based on Vikas Swarup’s novel Q&A.
How many Oscars did it win?
It won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Who starred in the film?
The cast includes Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, and Anil Kapoor.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Slumdog-Millionaire
    Supports: Release year, director, awards, and general film identification.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/
    Supports: Plot premise, cast, and basic film details.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slumdog_Millionaire
    Supports: Based on Q&A, cast, production credits, and plot context.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/slumdog_millionaire
    Supports: Director, producer, screenwriter, release information, runtime, and MPAA rating.