Jai Ho: ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Being Developed Into a Broadway Musical
- Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman joins Tony-winning producer Ken Davenport for the stage musical adaptation of the acclaimed film.
The 2008 film “Slumdog Millionaire” is going to Broadway. Tony Award-winning producer Ken Davenport recently announced he has secured the rights to develop the Academy Award-winning movie into a stage musical. The production will feature songs from the original film, including the Oscar-winning “Jai Ho,” as well as new compositions by Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman, who has boarded the musical.
Titled “Slumdog Millionaire: The Musical,” the stage adaptation promises to be an exhilarating theatrical experience. It will be produced by Davenport in association with Celador International, who also produced the film version.
Rahman, who won two Oscars for his work on the film, said: “I’m incredibly excited to begin work on “Slumdog Millionaire: The Musical.” This reimagined version will take you on an electrifying journey with new songs and a few unexpected twists. We can’t wait for you to experience it with us.”
The film, based on author Vikas Swarup’s award-winning Indian novel “Q&A,” follows two brothers struggling to survive on the streets of Mumbai. As one is drawn into a life of crime, the other finds himself on the verge of winning “Kaun Banega Crorepati?” — India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”
For Davenport, who won Tonys for the Broadway musicals “Once on This Island” and “Kinky Boots”, the project holds special significance because of his Indian heritage. He said, “My father, Kenny Dipchand Hasija, never talked much about growing up in India, until I took him to see “Slumdog Millionaire.” Immediately after the credits rolled, the stories, the love, and the pride of where he was from poured out of him. It was one of the closest moments we ever had. Right then and there, I vowed to one day find a way to bring our Indian culture to the stage, as a way to honor him, and people of Indian descent all over the world. I just never imagined that I’d be able to do that with that very film, and with A.R. Rahman himself! I’m so grateful that this beloved story has been entrusted to me, with a special thank you to Paul Smith at Celador.”
“Slumdog Millionaire” won eight Academy Awards at the 2009 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Score for Rahman, and Best Song for “Jai Ho” written by Rahman with lyrics by Gulzar. The screenplay was written by Simon Beaufoy, directed by Danny Boyle, and score by Rahman. The film, produced by Celador Films in association with Film 4, was made on a $15 million budget, which became a grass-roots surprise hit grossing over $378 million internationally.
The film also spawned a hit soundtrack produced by Rahman which won two Grammy Awards, including Best Song “Jai Ho” for Rahman, and sold over 2 million copies worldwide. “Jai Ho” was sung by Rahman and The Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger, and was a Top 20 Billboard hit in the U.S. and a Top 10 hit in over 20 countries.
While other members of the creative team and other details of the musical will be announced in the coming months, the collaboration between Rahman and Davenport is starting to generate a buzz in the theatre community with the anticipation of how these two brilliant artists will blend an Indian musical backdrop and a Broadway spectacle, bringing the vibrant streets of Mumbai to life, on stage.
Sunil Sadarangani is a Los Angeles-based award-winning producer and writer.