Gautam Adani takes a dig at 'Slumdog Millionaire' director Danny Boyle over Dharavi redevelopment plans

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Adani Group, Gautam Adani, has recently made headlines when he took a subtle jab at Hollywood director Danny Boyle in relation to his ambitious plans for transforming Mumbai's Dharavi into a modern city hub. In an open letter, Adani referenced Boyle's acclaimed 2008 film "Slumdog Millionaire" and expressed his optimism about the future of the revamped Dharavi, stating, «God willing, the likes of Danny Boyle will discover that the new Dharavi is producing millionaires without the slumdog prefix.» Boyle's «Slumdog Millionaire» garnered significant international recognition, after receiving eight Oscar Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

It also secured seven BAFTA Awards, including Best Film, five Critics' Choice Awards, and four Golden Globes. The Maharashtra state government confirmed Adani's successful $619 million bid for the redevelopment of Dharavi last week, hailing it as «the world's largest urban renewal scheme.» The vast project encompasses an area spanning 625 acres (253 hectares).

In his letter, Adani laid out the vision for the redevelopment, emphasizing the provision of essential amenities to the area's inhabitants, including gas, water, drainage, and healthcare facilities, among others. Dharavi, widely considered the largest slum in Asia, has long been a focal point for concern due to its crowded conditions and the challenges faced by thousands of impoverished families residing in cramped quarters in the heart of India's financial capital.

The lack of access to basic necessities, such as running water and clean toilets, has been a longstanding issue. The concept of redeveloping Dharavi first emerged in the 1980s as a dual solution to address the need for urban