London, Feb 10: Indian superstar Shahrukh Khan has blasted his fellow countrymen for criticising Mumbai-based hit film `Slumdog Millionaire', and praised the project for allowing the world to see the sub-continent in a "visually appealing" way.

Campaigners in India have slammed the multi award-winning film claiming the use of the word ''dog'' is insulting to those living in slums.

Also, film's bosses have come under fire for underpaying their Indian child stars, director Danny Boyle vigorously denying the claims, insisting the studio paid over-the-odds to ensure the welfare of their young actors.

Now Khan - who turned down the role of the film''s TV quizmaster - has come out and defended the film.

"I think it''s really nice that it will open doors for people to understand that there is a lot of visual appeal to India. I hear a lot of people saying that India has been shown in bad light," the Daily Star quoted him, as saying.

"But then my logic to everyone is that why is it that somebody comes from outside and makes a film like Gandhi and Slumdog. It becomes internally acceptable. All we can say about it is that it is showing India in a poor light," he added. (ANI)