Innocence lost
By Uriska Harripersadh
Salim Malik is a ruthless and hard character with brutal survival instincts. After the
violent death of his mother he finds the need to grow up quickly, he rises up as a
predominant to his younger brother, Jamal Malik. Salim leads and navigates he and
his brother, Jamal, through the rough streets of the Juhu slum during their childhood
days. The brothers steal, beg and fight their way through life fending for themselves,
Headstrong and fixed “never give up” mindset and attitude is something to
compliment, but the choices he makes throughout life are less than honorable.
The younger brother of the pair, Jamal, is one who is characterized as a forgiving and
compassionate individual. Even though he’s been through the toughest times and
hellish conditions, his zest for life remains unaffected. It is almost as if Jamal does not
let go of his childlike innocence and strong belief that everything in life is good.
After the anti-muslim violence that occurs in their slum, he is the one who provides
shelter for Latika. He takes the young girl under his wing, as time went on he feels a
sense of protectiveness and affection towards her.
His older brother Salim, however lost his innocence during his childhood years when
Jamal, Salim and Latika are running from the evil child-trafficker, Maman, Salim is
the one who lets go of Latika’s hand. If only he had cared enough to hold onto her. He
would of saved Latika rom a life of prostitution and Jamal from a world of heartache.
Salim becomes callous in order to survive and becomes very money driven. Salim
involves himself with one of the most powerful Indian gangsters during his teenage
years he starts doing illegal activities such as drinking, theft, murder and even the
raping of his younger brother, Jamals childhood sweetheart Latika, during his adult
life he is wealthy yet unhappy.
In the end, he redeems himself by letting Latika escapes from the gangster he works
for, giving her the keys to his car, which gave her a way out to reunite with Jamal.
However Salim still felt remorse and constructs a plan to end his life. He knows his
boss would kill him for letting Latika go, Salim fills a bathtub with money and with
loaded guns waiting for him, As they enter the room a round of gunshots were fired.
Perhaps the money filling the tub symbolizes the fact that Salim was indeed money
driven. After all, it was the death of him…
Sacrifice in Mumbai
By Saman Akhtar
Mumbai is a vibrant, dynamic city filled with hope, love and sacrifice. A sacrifice is
born through many factors: guilt, love, hope, regrets, desperation… In this film,
sacrifice is a continuous and constant aspect of the film.