Oscar success to lead Slumdog to earn 20 times its cost

London (ANI): Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire is likely to hit the 170-million-pound mark in world-wide ticket sales, which is nearly 20 times the amount it cost to make, following the Oscar sweep, it has been predicted. While foreign and subtitled films often struggle to make any inroads in American film market, the critically acclaimed film about an 18-year-old slum boy from rags to riches is expected to break records at the box office after its first nationwide release.

Slumdog opened in the US last November in just ten cinemas, but the Oscar sweep has caught the public's imagination and it will now get full nationwide release in the world's most lucrative film market. US ticket sales are already close to 70m pounds and according to the industry sources, and the sales are likely to surge in the wake of the Oscars, reports the Scotsman.

Slumdog triumphed the Oscar with 8 awards, including the Best Picture. Helmer Danny Boyle walked away with Best Director gong. Meanwhile, celebrations are on in the Mumbai slum, where children are rejoicing in their own style. They broke into Bollywood dance numbers as they cheered for two of the film's child actors.

Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, ten, and Rubiana Ali, nine, had been flown to Los Angeles for the ceremony. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the Slumdog team, saying: "The winners have done India proud."