Slumdog Millionaire, a sweeping feel good rags to riches, epic coming of age and love story has won best picture at the Oscars. The film took home awards this season at the BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, Critics Choice, and Golden Globes, and was the odds on favorite to win. It is the first Bollywood film to be recognized with even an Oscar nomination.

The minor controversy over equal pay for child actors could not stop Slumdog from sweeping the Oscars as expected.

This is the year’s most epic and exhilarating tale, set in Mumbai. One can be completely swept up in the sprawling saga and the fates of the characters. It’s the movie that captured the most hearts,elicited much discussion and engaged the senses with its kinetic, mesmerizing visuals and captivating score.

[From USA Today]

During his incredibly brief acceptance speech, Slumdog producer Christian Colson said, “When we started out we had no stars, no power, no muscle… but what we had was a script that inspired mad love by everyone.” He spoke briefly about the passion and belief that people had in the film, and how that powered it from a tiny little project into a movie that ended up sweeping the Oscars.

Colson also noted that “Danny Boyle is a genius of a director.” It was fun seeing the cast together – you can tell there’s a real chemistry there, and that they genuinely enjoy being with each other. This has been a whirlwind year for them as they’ve swept most of the awards shows. I’m sure it’s just the beginning for the talented cast and crew.

Header of the cast of Slumdog Millionaire, lead actor Dev Patel (L), Freida Pinto (C), Anil Kapoor (R), Irrfan Khan (2nd R), and Madhur Mittal (2nd L) at the Academy Awards tonight. Images thanks to WENN.