'Slumdog Millionaire' opens in India

MUMBAI, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The Mumbai-set movie "Slumdog Millionaire," which won four Golden Globes and has been nominated for 10 Oscars, had its Indian premiere Thursday night.

The BBC said the movie -- directed by British filmmaker Danny Boyle on a budget of just under $10 million -- will be getting as wide a release in India as a major Bollywood film would. The movie has already racked up about $50 million in ticket sales at U.S. and U.K. box offices.

The British broadcaster said the movie about an impoverished, 18-year-old man's journey to become the unlikely winner of the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" has earned mainly positive reviews from Indian film critics, however, some detractors claim it exploits poverty in the city.

The Times of India suggested audiences forget "the twitter about aggrieved national sentiment" and enjoy "a piece of riveting cinema."

Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, who has a supporting role in the film, told the BBC at the film's premiere, "We are really, really emotional. All of us just can't stop hugging each other."