Slumdog Inspires Dance and Fitness Boom
What can one say about a runaway hit that won eight Oscars, a raft of Baftas and four Golden Globe Awards, among other honors?
A lot, it turns out, since no other movie about India in recent years has generated more interest—or debate—than Slumdog Millionaire. One consequence of this phenomenon (and a few other Indian-themed films) has been a Bollywood-inspired dance and fitness boom, even craze, in some countries. To give one example, Geeta Dias is scheduled to give an informal Bollywood-style dance presentation at the Miami Dance Festival this month. Also in April, this festival will screen Hindi films and feature a Bollywood dance master class at the Performing Arts Network in Miami.
“If Slumdog Millionaire has left you yearning for more Bollywood, [this] is your chance to learn more about the Indian sensation,” say the organizers. What adds to the fascination is how the popularity has spread beyond the cosmopolitan centers. “Long enjoyed by young people of Indian descent, and common in big cities on the coasts, Bollywood-style classes are popping up in regions of the country where Indian cinema is new and there aren’t as many people of Indian descent,” points out the Associated Press.
How did Slumdog do in the aftermath of the Oscar sweep? Spectacularly well, unsurprisingly. Here are the rankings for the week of February 23 to March 1 in just this country, as per various media sources.
Movie Box Office: No. 4
Music Albums: No 4. (for the soundtrack)
Music Downloads: No. 8 (for the song “Jai Ho”)
Meanwhile, India’s Congress Party has jumped on the Slumdog bandwagon by purchasing the exclusive rights to play “Jai Ho” at their election rallies this year.
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