Personal Response
This movie was very touching for me. Jamal had a difficult life from the time he was a kid, but he still managed to fall in love, deeply, sincerely, and with complete transparency. Nothing mattered to him except finding Latika. He lost her three times and found her three times. Was their love meant to be? I think so. To me, Jamal is like a golden retriever: loyal, pure-hearted, and gentle. He never cared about money, power, or doing wrong. His entire life’s purpose seemed to revolve around looking after Latika.
Nevertheless, the most interesting character to me is Salim. From childhood, he was mischievous, that’s simply who he was. And even though he was not always the best brother, in his own complicated way he always protected Jamal. He was the worst thing that ever happened to Jamal, but he also never allowed anything worse than himself to hurt him. Salim carried his own childhood scars, and while his actions were often terrible, he never meant harm toward his brother.
At the end, he realizes that Jamal’s life purpose is to be with Latika. He understands how deeply Jamal loves her, and he risks everything (including his life) to bring them together. If that isn’t sincere love, I don’t know what is. Knowing he might die, he fills a bathtub with money. This felt strange at first, but I think it was his way of dying with dignity after a life full of pain and poor choices. The money represented the wealth and power he always wanted. After everything he put his brother through, he finally made it right. I truly wish he didn’t have to die.