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Me Slumdog, You Millionaire

Mumbai municipal authorities have razed the shantytown homes of Slumdog Millionaire child stars

By LIFS June 4, 2009 at 4:47 AM
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Mumbai municipal authorities have razed the shantytown homes of Slumdog Millionaire child star Azharuddin Ismail, 9 and Rubina Ali, 10, forcing them into the streets.

After the film’s runaway success ($326 million gross thus far), local authorities had promised homes for the child stars and the film’s producers also pledged financial support for the children, including $100,000 toward housing.

 
Ismail told the media that he was awakened by police before his house was demolished and that he now sleeps on the streets. Rubina, who likewise, was forced on to the streets, was admitted to a hospital two days after her home was razed. She has since moved in with a relative.

Film director Danny Boyle met the child stars in Mumbai after they lost their homes and again pledged to secure them housing. But Rubina’s father Rafiq Qureshi, cut off his meeting with Boyle and stormed out in a huff, protesting to reporters: “It has been five to six months. Everything is available in Mumbai if you have the money. If you really want to get us a house you can get us a house in two days. After the Oscars they forgot about us.”

A true Slumdog Millionaire tale. Only, me slumdog, you millionaire.

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Odds & Ends | Magazine | June 2009

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