It is difficult to analyse success. Very difficult to figure out why something really succeeded. There are typically many ingredients. However, if any one of these ingredients did not work properly, everything comes out unhinged and one stares at a failure.

So, why did the film Slumdog Millionaire succeed? Is it the gripping story? Is it the rivetting music ? Is it the way the story was told?

I personally think that all of these contributed – yes. But the key ingredient to my mind is the timing of the film. The film, which talks about a hopeless boy from a slum going onto becoming a millioanire came at the time when we all are desparate for hope. At other times, it might have been a good solid film. But, when we all needed a huge dose of hope, the film delivered it in cauldrons. And, to my mind, is the key to the success of that film.