Slumdog... a slice of real India: Q&A author

CNN-IBN's Akansha Banerji met the author of the book Q & A which started the Slumdog Millionaire ball rolling. Vikas Swaroop says that he was really struck by how Danny Boyle portrayed India.

Akansha Banerji: It all started here for you in London and it's your pages that are now on the big screen, so how does it feel?

Vikas Swaroop: It feels amazing because you know when I wrote this book in two months flat in 2003, I would have never imagined that the book echo from the Golden Globes in Hollywood.

Akansha Banerji: There have been some changes ofcourse. Do you think Ram Mohammad Thomas of your book and Jamaal Malik in the movie are the same character? And how has it been portrayed in the movie?

Vikas Swaroop: Well obviously, the film is different from the book and I knew this from the very beginning because Simon Beaufoy met me before he started working on the screenplay. And at that very time he told me that look the title will be Slumdog Millionaire and we will have to change some of the stories in the book. That's fine with me because I think what is important is the central framing device of the film is that of the book and I think that is the strength of the film as well. And they have taken some of my stories - the Surdas story, teh Taj Mahal story - and they have changed some stories which were better suited for a cinematic medium.

Akansha Banerji: So do you feel that the book will also now get a fresh lease of life, thanks to the film? It's being re-released now as Slumdog Millionaire.

Vikas Swaroop: Yes, for me that is the most happy part. Because of the film doing so well and garnering so many awards, it will propel that many new readers to the book.

Akansha Banerji: A lot has been talked about the technology used, shooting in the slums, the opening sequence, music score and all of that. So what do you feel about Danny Boyle's protrayal of your book?

Vikas Swaroop: I was really struck by how Danny has portrayed India, and Mumbai in particular. I think he brings an outsider's sensibility to the project and sometimes its good to look through an outsider's eyes. Danny has said that himself. I think it is a very unique way in which he has presented Mumbai and people say the film is about the slums of India and things like that. I don't agree. Yes, it does show a slice of India and a somewhat extreme slice of India, but films are always slightly larger than life. But eventually, the film - like the book - is about hope, about survival and about redemption.

Akansha Banerji: There is an Oscar buzz. Are you keeping your fingers crossed for that?

Vikas Swaroop: Yes, I think that is the thing to do. Statistics say that 60 per cent of Golden Globe awardees go on to win the Oscar, so definitely, it has a 60 per cent chance. I am quite sure it will be nominated. Whether it wins or not - as the film says - it's destiny.

Akansha Banerji: Thank you so much Vikas and we look forward to many more thrilling plots from you in the future.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)