The movie may be exceptional, but we had to leave after 45 minutes. The reviews did not prepare me for the CHILD ABUSE that permeated this movie. Maiming of children so they would bring in more money begging, electric shocking Jamal repeatedly, and constant physical assaults and cuffing incidents ruined any type of story for me. This definitely portrayed a different India than Bollywood has given us. Unless you have a very strong stomach for abuse of children, DO NOT see this movie.
The acting is great, but the movie could have been shortened by at least an hour. The producer and the film makers were trying to hard to impress everyone. Don't bother unless you can see it on DVD and fast forward the slow parts. A picture of a very black soul with a deeply disturbing ending.