Danny Boyle Says Slumdog Millionaire Couldn't Be Made Today; Here's Why

Filmmaker Danny Boyle's 2008 film, Slumdog Millionaire is one of the widely acclaimed films, that was praised for direction, screenplay, performances, soundtrack, cinematography, and editing. The Dev Patel-Freida Pinto starrer earned 10 Oscar nominations and won eight Academy Awards at 81st Oscars. In an interview, Boyle explained why he wouldn’t be able to make that film in present time.

In an interview with The Guardian, Danny Boyle said, "Yeah, we wouldn’t be able to make that now. And that’s how it should be. It’s time to reflect on all that. We have to look at the cultural baggage we carry and the mark that we’ve left on the world."

When asked if the film was a form of colonialism, the 28 Years Later director said "no" and added, "Well, only in the sense that everything is. At the time it felt radical. We made the decision that only a handful of us would go to Mumbai. We’d work with a big Indian crew and try to make a film within the culture. But you’re still an outsider. It’s still a flawed method."

He further said, "That kind of cultural appropriation might be sanctioned at certain times. But at other times it cannot be."

Boyle is proud of the film, but he "wouldn’t even contemplate doing something like that today." He said that the film wouldn't be financed if he were to make it now and even if he was involved, he would have been looking for a young Indian filmmaker to make it.

Slumdog Millionaire also starred Anil Kapoor, late actor Irrfan Khan, and Rubina Ali, in pivotal roles.

Meanwhile, Boyle's 28 Years Later released in theatres on June 20, 2025. The first instalment, 28 Days Later came out in 2002, directed by Boyle and 28 Weeks Later was released in 2007, which was helmed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.

28 Years Later stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, and Ralph Fiennes, among others. The zombie adventure reportedly earned $5.8 million on the first day of its release.