In an early scene in Slumdog Millionaire, the film’s young protagonist, Jamal, dives into the raw sewage under the outhouse where he is trapped. He wants to get a movie star’s autograph and will not let anything stop him. The same focus allows him to overcome the obstacles of the slums, and the fairy tale ends with him “getting the girl”. The movie, which captures Mumbai’s energy, colour and hopefulness, won eight Oscars as well as the epithet “poverty porn”.

The film is controversial, but it also depicts an aspect of poverty that has until recently been unrelenting. It can also be viewed as a metaphor for change in the film’s location. Just as Jamal overcame long odds to live happily ever after, Mumbai’s determined community groups have markedly improved conditions, eliminating open defecation by millions of slum dwellers who have lacked access to a lavatory.