Oscar celebrations fill Mumbai's crowded slums





Neighbors of actor Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail watch the a telecast of the 81st Annual Academy Awards near his home, in a slum in Bandra, suburban Mumbai, India, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009

MUMBAI, India (AP) - Children broke into Bollywood dance numbers and crowds cheered in the narrow lanes of a teeming Mumbai slum on Monday as their hometown heroes nabbed Hollywood's highest honors.

Two of the child actors in "Slumdog Millionaire" were plucked from a desperately poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Mumbai to star in the rags-to-riches tale that stormed the Academy Awards.

The actors, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali, 9, were flown to Los Angeles for the ceremony, leaving their friends back home to gawk, beam, shout and dance in celebration.

"My eyes couldn't believe that I was seeing Rubina in America," said Saba Qureshi, Rubina's best friend. Saba and her sisters woke before dawn to catch every minute of the Oscars, squealing with joy every time Rubina came on screen. They had one of the handful of TV sets in the neighborhood.

"Slumdog" won eight Oscars, including best picture, best director, and two awards for best music - each time inspiring raucous renditions of the dance routines for which India's movie industry is known.

"It seems like happiness is falling from the sky," said Sohail Qureshi, Saba's father and Rubina's neighbor.

The Hollywood glitz, the limousines and the red carpets of the Oscars could not be farther away from the Bandra slum, nestled between a major road and filthy train tracks.

Azhar lives in a lean-to made of plastic tarpaulins and moldy blankets. Rubina shares a tin-roofed, cotton-candy colored shack with her parents and her six brothers and sisters. Stray dogs nap on mountains of trash.

Hordes of journalists descended on the neighborhood Monday. TV tripods straddled the thin stream of sewage outside Rubina's home while rows of satellite trucks idled outside a normally sleepy tea stall.

"Normally, no one talks to us and no one comes here, but now everyone is here," Mohammed Ismail, Azhar's father, said before a bouquet of flashing bulbs.

About 65 million Indians - roughly a quarter of the urban population - live in slums, according to government surveys. Health care is often nonexistent, child labor is rampant and inescapable poverty forms the backdrop of everyday life.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the "Slumdog" team Monday, saying, "The winners have done India proud."

While everyone in the area was excited about their local stars, some objected to the film - and its title - that made them famous.

"I'm poor, but no one can call me a dog," said Fakrunissa Sheikh, 40, who lives in a lean-to next to Azhar's. "I work very hard."

Rubina's friends wouldn't let talk like that cloud the big day.

"She looked like an angel," Saba said after the TV showed Rubina smiling in her white dress. "When she comes back, we will have the biggest party."

MOMENTOUS OCCASION: Rafiq Qureshi and Munni Qureshi, parents of Slumdog Millionaire child actor Rubina Ali, watch the Oscar ceremony on television at their house in Mumbai on Monday.

Garib Nagar erupts in celebration

Mumbai: Since Sunday night, sleep has eluded the people of Garib Nagar.

"We placed a television set here, outside this shanty. From 10.30 p.m. we watched the movie and then stayed up for the awards. We were around 35 people,” said auto driver Ramdas Gaikwad, who stays near Azharuddin Ismail’s makeshift shelter.

Azhar and Rubina Ali played the roles of young Salim and Latika in the Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire.

On Monday, after the awards were announced, Garib Nagar was a picture of gaiety. At every nook and corner, children huddled before cameras, basking in the limelight. They crooned and foot-tapped to the tune of “Jai Ho.” Strains of the number streamed from the dinghy shanties. Everyone, it seemed, was listening to this song.

“We feel happy that someone in our area has made it big,” said Akbar Ansari, who was sitting with Rubina’s father, Rafiq Qureshi.

Meanwhile, Rubina’s room was ‘houseful.’ “It was so crowded. People have been up since 5 a.m.,” said her father. He was thrilled watching his daughter on TV. “She was wearing a white frock,” he beamed.

“Last night, she called and said that the carpet was very long. She sounded very happy. They were going around the place.”

Rubina’s mother Munni Qureshi could hardly contain her glee. “We are so excited that we cannot even eat.”

Azhar’s buddies are planning a thundering welcome for him. “When he comes, we will burst crackers,” said Chavez Qureshi, 12.

Another friend, Mozhim Shakim Sheikh Qureshi, 13, who played a cripple in the movie, is excited too. “Azhar has said he will get something for his friends from there.”

Amidst the euphoria, an emaciated Mohammed Ismail, Azhar’s father, sat outside a piece of cloth that serves as the door to his shelter.

A tuberculosis patient, he is too ill even to speak.

Covering his mouth with a piece of cloth, he barely managed to say a few words. “The world is watching this event. Everyone is reading the newspapers, watching TV. I have done neither. I am happy along with the rest. My innocent kid has made India proud. Even big artists have not gone where my child has. What more do you need?”

Echoing the sentiment of the children who did minor roles in the movie, Nagma Shakeel Ahmed, a resident, said: “I feel all the children connected with the movie should have gone to the ceremony. For example, if you are cooking mutton all the masalas [condiments] that go into it make it tasty.

“But I am happy that the two children went.”

OSCAR FEVER

Frida Pinto and Rubiana Ali from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" greet each other at the Governor's Ball following the 81st Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

Inside Oscar After Parties: From Winslet To The "Slumdog Kids"

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The glitzy, global spirit of Hollywood raged into the wee hours after the Oscars, with parties around town feting everyone from British best actress winner Kate Winslet down to the youngest "Slumdog Millionaire" star, drinking caffeine to keep up his strength.

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, only 8, slurped on a can of Coca-Cola at Fox Searchlight's packed after-party Sunday night at ONE Sunset in West Hollywood honoring "The Wrestler" and "Slumdog Millionaire." Filmed in the slums of Mumbai, "Slumdog" snagged eight Oscars, including best picture and director.

Ayush, who lives in India and plays the youngest version of the movie's protagonist Jamal, sat on a sofa at the club, nursing his soda after midnight.

"Very excited," said Ayush, when asked about the wins. "It's unbelievable. I never thought I would get an Oscar. Daniel (director Danny Boyle) told us, 'If you work hard, the Oscar will come to you.' And it came."

As for being tired?

"No, that's why I'm drinking this," he added.

Madhur Mittal, who plays the character Salim in the film, held a drink as throngs of women passed by offering their congratulations. Guests, including Serena Williams, nibbled on red velvet cupcakes and sipped on cocktails including "The Slumdog," a mix of vodka, raspberries and lime garnished with a lollipop far from the modest fare depicted in the film.

"It feels unreal. This is the best day of my life, man," said Mittal. "I come from India and I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be at the Oscars, much less be part of the movie that sweeps the Oscars."

Film bosses buy poverty-stricken Slumdog Millionaire children new homes

The poverty stricken child stars of Slumdog Millionaire are set to be property tycoons after being promised new homes by the film’s Oscar winning director Danny Boyle and by Mumbai officials.

Boyle and producer Christian Colson told the Daily Mail that Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubina Ali and their families will be moved to apartments worth £20,000 each in the coming months.

But in an astonishing turn of events, officials from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority - a Mumbai housing association - have now also said they want to gift the children a new flat each.

There was a public outcry after pictures emerged of the child stars living in squalor, despite the fact the film had grossed £70million worldwide.

One showed ten year-old Azharuddin sleeping on a rotting makeshift mat - a bed he shared with his parents - while another featured him crouched down by rubbish, washing in dirty water.
The shack that Rubina, who plays the young heroine Letika, calls home is just yards from an open sewer.

Colson and Boyle told the Daily Mail the children and their families are looking at new apartments on the edge of the area where they live.

Choosing Homes for the Children

Boyle told the Daily Mail: ‘These are bricks and mortar flats. They will have electricity, running water and good sanitation. They will still be close to their friends and extended family. Their community is very important to them, and they don’t want to move too far away from them.

They have looked at a number of places but like anyone choosing a home, it is taking some time for them to agree on a final one.’

The film company has also agreed to pay for a rickshaw driver to take the children to and from school every day for the next eight years –to ensure they attend.

Last night, the MHADA said it too felt the child stars should be rewarded with a proper place to live. The organisation’s chairman, Amarjeet Singh Manhas, said: 'These children have made the country proud and have an equal hand in the film winning the Oscar. These children are special and have won laurels for the country and we want to felicitate them.'
They were unable to give details on the size and location of the flats and critics accused the authority of offering the free flats as a political move ahead of the general election in April/May.

Colson said that the offer from Mumbai officials was a separate one to the proposals he and Boyle had drawn up.

Rubina’s father Rafiq Qureshi said: ‘It means so much for us to get a proper flat. For three generations we have been living in this slum and we might finally get out of here. It is not a proper place to live and it is always under threat from demolition.’

Colson and Boyle have always denied any claim the children were exploited by Slumdog Millionaire.

After filming completed last year, they set up a raft of measures to safeguard their long-term future including a trust fund and sending them to a local school.

They now admit that the plans have not worked in the way they had hoped and more needs to be done to help the youngsters, who many feel are the real stars of Oscar-winning film.

Broker Disappear with Housing Cash

Azharuddin, who plays the young version of the lead character’s brother Salim, and his parents live in flimsy structure made of tarpaulins and blankets in the overcrowded Behrampada shanty area.

The family is worse off now than when Slumdog Millionaire was being filmed because the illegal hut they were living in has been demolished by the local council.

Colson told the Daily Mail: ‘The way Azharuddin is living now is substandard. We were told his home was razed a few months ago, and wired money over immediately.

The family gave that money to a broker, who promised to find them a new place to live, but has simply disappeared with the cash.’‘We realized just sending money is not the answer and have evolved our plans over the past few weeks. The families are not equipped to cope with that sort of money.’

Producers will instead put the properties in a trust and ownership will only be released to the parents when the children turn 18.

‘We can’t buy the properties outright and give them to them, because in all honesty they will sell them,’ he said. ‘What we are doing is to acquire the flats for them, near the community where they fit in.

‘They will be held in trusts and ownership will only be released to the parents when the kids turn 18 and have completed their education,’ said Colson.

Parents Complain

The children’s parents had complained the children had not been paid enough considering the success of the Slumdog Millionaire.

Azharuddin’s mother Shameem Ismail is blind in one eye, while his father Mohammed suffers from tuberculosis, leaving the family a limited income.

Rubina’s father has not worked for months after breaking his leg in an accident.
Producers said they would work with an NGO to find a suitable social worker to liaise with the families to ensure the children’s wellbeing over the next few years.

Boyle said: ‘It is not about throwing cash at the problem – that doesn’t work. It is about investing in the long term. The key thing is to make sure they stay in school.

‘We want the kids to have more than wealth, we want them to have the skills that will set them up for life.’
Azharuddin and Rubina attend Aseema, a non-profit English language school for underprivileged children.

It is oversubscribed but many who attend need substantial help and guidance for even the most basic life skills.

Boyle added that he and the film’s investors and distributors were also setting up a fund for the slum and street children of Mumbai.

So far £500,000 has been set aside as an initial figure but this is expected to rise.

● Slumdog Millionaire follows the story of a boy born in the slums who answers all the questions on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? correctly because of his life experiences. It has become the unexpected hit of the year and scooped 8 Oscars including Best Motion picture and Best Oscar for Doyle.

AR Rahman wins two Oscar awards - Yella Puzhalum Iraivanukke



AR Rahman wins Oscar - Yella Puzhalum Iraivanukke It was a historic moment, which every Indian should be proud of when AR Rahman said, yella puzhalum Iraivannukke( all praise to God) after winning his oscar for Best Original Score.

Rahman hit a double wammy at the oscars by winning both the award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Winning the award for Best Original Score, Rahman thanked his mom with the words, “Mere paas maa hai”(I have mom with me) and then ended his speech.

A.R.Rahman won Best Original Score and Best Original Song A.R.Rahman,
the most popular music composer of India,
walks home with two Oscar wins
for “Slumdog Millionaire”.

This is the honor that Rahman has received in his entire career.
His enticing music has taken him from provincial Indian cinema to the Hollywood red carpet.

Rahman, the 43 year old musician, was once referred as ‘the Mozart of Madras’.
He is the 3rd Indian to win an Oscar and the 1st to win two consecutive
Academy Awards in the movie
Slumdog Millionaire.

A.R. Rahman, nominated for for the best original song and original score for the movie "Slumdog Millionaire," arrives at the Academy Award luncheon in Beverly Hills Calif., on Monday, Feb 2, 2009

Composer Rahman has no regrets about 'Slumdog'

NEW YORK (AP) - Oscar nominee A.R. Rahman has a polite suggestion for those in Bollywood who complain that the hit film "Slumdog Millionaire" casts India in a negative light with its depiction of poverty in Mumbai's slums: don't just criticize it but make your own film.

"In my opinion if creative people want to comment on a film, and if I were a director and felt that way, I would make another film and prove my point and say this is what India is about," Rahman told The Associated Press in an interview from Los Angeles before returning home to work on film scores before participating in the Feb. 22 Oscars awards show.

As for "Slumdog Millionaire," the noted Indian film music composer believes it is "a great statement of showing in a way the past reality and the growth of the economy in India, which all comes across beautifully."

The 43-year-old Rahman has been hailed in India for his three Oscar nominations for "Slumdog Millionaire" _ for best original score and the songs "O ... Saya" and "Jai Ho." But the rags-to-riches saga of a Mumbai orphan who competes on India's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" quiz show received a controversial reception in India.

Rahman refused to comment on a defamation lawsuit filed against him and actor Anil Kapoor, who plays the quizmaster in the film, by a Mumbai slum-dwellers' rights group alleging its members found the term "Slumdog" insulting.

But he said he had no qualms about working on the film with British director Danny Boyle and his crew, whom he described as "very sensitive people."

"When you came out of the film ... that felt so good and positive that nothing else mattered to me," said Rahman. "I loved working with Danny and I loved his whole vision of the screenplay and the artistic quality of the film.

"And for me it's not about India alone, it's about the human spirit which triumphs, and this could have happened in China or Brazil or anywhere else."

Rahman says the film is consistent with his humanitarian goals. An honorary U.N. ambassador, he set up the A.R. Rahman Foundation to support educational programs for underprivileged children across India. He has also founded a conservatory in his home city of Chennai to prepare youngsters for careers in music.

By CHARLES J. GANS
February 5th, 2009
Associated Press Writer

jai ho

A R Rehman performing at Tonight Show with Jay Leno Feb 19, 2009

oscar jai ho

A R Rahman won OSCAR

Oprah jai ho

A R Rahman performing on the Oprah Winfrey show

Tears, cheers and sweets at Oscar-winning technician’s Kerala home

Resul Pookutty (right) poses with Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke poses after winning the award for Achievement in Sound Editing for 'Slumdog

The 36-year-old Resul Pookutty, who won the coveted Oscar for best sound mixing for the critically acclaimed film "Slumdog Millionaire" at the 81st Academy Awards, expressed elation and said the experience was "very fulfilling".

"I simply feel elated. I can't put my feelings into words! It is the highest recognition any film technician can ever achieve. To be the first from India to be recognised by my peers in the Academy in its 80-year history is a very, very fulfilling feeling," Pookutty told IANS from Los Angeles after winning the award on Sunday.

He admitted to being nervous during the crescendo towards the denouement.

"The adulations and prayers of a billion people made me nervous. (But) I am sure they helped me win this award. However, I went in with an open mind to enjoy the show," Pookutty said.

Life for Pookutty has suddenly changed "immensely".

"I suddenly have become a celebrity. The attention is helping me to talk about the work of the best technicians in the industry. I have become one of its known faces. Else, nothing has changed as I will continue my 13 years' effort," he observed.

Pookutty had a special word for fellow winner and mentor A.R. Rahman.

"After we both won the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), Rahman said I should start a sound design school In India. I told him that his Oscar is the most deserving for all those 135 films for which he scored music. If anybody deserves an Oscar from India first, it is indeed him."

Sporting a special made-for-the-occasion Indian outfit, Pookutty had worked on his acceptance speech with the help of colleagues Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke.

According to Pookutty, his wife Shadia applauded his laurel from her seat in the Kodak Theatre with tension writ large on her face - not only during the run-up to his receiving the award, but also for their two young children back home in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, his family was in tears, villagers crowding around a TV set in front of his house here cheered and plates of sweets did the rounds as Pookutty became the first Indian to bag an Oscar for best sound mixing for critically acclaimed film "Slumdog Millionaire".

Tension had built up in the neighbourhood as the Oscar for sound editing did not go to "Slumdog Millionaire", but shouts of joy broke out when Pookutty, 36, was declared the winner for sound mixing.

"We decided to place a TV in front of our home because since last evening the mood was building up. He (Pookutty) called me last night and said it is going to be tough," said Byju P.T., the Oscar winner's elder brother.

The ones who could not hide their happiness were his two sisters who had tears rolling down their cheeks in Vilakupara village, about 50 km from the Kerala capital.

"We just can't hide our emotions and I don't know what to say," said one of his sisters.

As Pookutty was set to make his acceptance speech in faraway Los Angeles, hundreds of villagers waited spellbound.

The minute the award was announced, plateful of sweets did the rounds among the ecstatic villagers who had been glued to the television since 6.30 a.m.

Saifuddin, another brother of Pookutty, thanked Allah for the honour bestowed on their family.

"We are humbled that this has happened in my family and an award many felt he would never won," Saifuddin said.

Wishes poured in for Pookutty from Malayalam film stars and state ministers as well.

"He has reached the real heights in the film industry. Though he is a Malayali, he is yet to work in a Malayalam film. This is because sound has not got its due share here. Now things will change," said Malayalam superstar Mammootty.

State Culture Minister M.A. Baby couldn't stop praising Pookutty.

"This is unbelievable for Kerala and for the country. Resul has got it at the prime of his youth ... this is what is more exciting. Hard work pays off and this is going to be a great impetus for all in the film industry," Baby said.

Pookutty was the youngest of eight children and had a passion for films right from his young days. However, his father was keen that he become a doctor, but Resul failed the medical entrance examinations and went on to pursue his film industry dreams after studying at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He has also got a degree in law.

Indo-Asian News Service

Danny Boyle, director of “Slumdog Millionaire,” with Rubina Ali, one of his film’s young stars.

Children play in front of a poster for 'Slumdog Millionaire' in Mumbai.

Indian gamblers..OSCAR fever bets

Indian punters bet big on 'Slumdog' Oscar success..interesting...

Tue Feb 10, 2:23 AM

TODAY...BIG MONEY FOR PUNTERS

MUMBAI (AFP) - Indian gamblers are staking big money on "Slumdog Millionaire" winning the best picture, best director and best music awards at this year's Oscars, a report said Tuesday.

The Economic Times said that an estimated one billion rupees (20.5 million dollars) was riding on the outcome of the Academy Awards, for which the hit British film with an Indian cast and crew has 10 nominations.

With the exception of casinos and lottery games in some states and despite Indians being among the world's most enthusiastic gamblers, organised betting is illegal in India and largely an underground activity.

"We are accepting bets for three things -- A.R. Rahman (best music category), the movie (best picture category) and Danny Boyle (best director category)," one unnamed Mumbai-based bookmaker was quoted as saying.

Another in the city of Ahmedabad, in neighbouring Gujarat state, said betting on "Slumdog" has been gaining momentum since the end of a recent cricket match between India and Sri Lanka.

"Bets worth (200-300 million rupees) have been accepted in my circle in the past few days."

Odds for "Slumdog" winning best picture are being offered at 1.53/1, in line with international betting websites. Indian bookmakers put Boyle as 1.55/1 to win; and Rahman at 1.25/1, the business daily said.

Looking ready to take home some Oscar hardware, Freida Pinto and Dev Patel arrived side-by-side at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Sunday evening (February 22).

The “Slumdog Millionaire” co-star couple walked the red carpet, greeting fans and posing for pictures before heading inside in advance of the night’s ceremony.

Freida Pinto attends the Fox Searchlight official "Slumdog Millionaire/The Wrestler" post Oscar party at ONE Sunset on February 22, 2009 in West Hollywood, CA.

Freida Pinto Lands a Job With Woody Allen!

Fresh off Slumdog Millionaire's impressive sweep at Sunday's Oscars, Freida Pinto has landed a high profile new gig.

She will star alongside Noami Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins in Woody Allen's latest project, according to Variety.

It will be her first post-Slumdog movie.

David Livingston/Getty Images

Freida Pinto with Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal and director Danny Boyle at the 81st Annual Academy Awards 2009 at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 22. Photo Credit: Jon Didier / A.M.P.A.S.

She accessorized with Jimmy Choo platforms, drop earrings and an antique diamond ring from India on her left hand index finger.

Her loosely swept back hairdo and no-makeup kept the focus on her dress.

Embraced ... Danny Boyle with Rubina Ali, one of the child stars of Slumdog Millionaire,
and one of the film's eight Oscars.

OSCAR FEVER - India celebrates Slumdog Millionaire's eight-Oscar victory

After weeks of controversy over the film's depiction of life in Mumbai's slums and the paycheques
of its child stars, the subcontinent has embraced Danny Boyle's crowdpleaser.

India finally laid claim to Slumdog Millionaire – after weeks of controversy the country basked in the glory of the film's eight Oscars, the most of any movie this year, including the top prize of best motion picture.

News channels broadcasting live commentary of the Hollywood event called the presentation of the best film award – when Slumdog's vast cast and crew took to the dais – a "victory for India". Shown repeatedly was the clip of the movie's producer Christian Colson speaking of the "shared love of the extraordinary city of Mumbai".

Cameras shot celebrations erupting in the family homes of AR Rahman, the composer who took home two golden statuettes, and Resul Pookutty, the Bollywood sound engineer who was part of the winning sound mixing team.

The star for India was definitely Rahman, known as the Mozart of Madras, who picked up the Oscar for best original score before scooping the best song award moments later.

He thrilled the home audience by speaking in his native Tamil, closing his second acceptance speech with the evocation: "God is great." His sister, Rehana, told Indian television that "we won't lose Rahman to Hollywood … he belongs to everyone but he's Indian".

The film's use of Indian actors and the country's landscape produced a welter of stories in the national press, ranging from fascination with the rapid ascent of Mumbai model Freida Pinto to the pages of Vogue; the controversy over whether child actors from the slums had been paid enough; and even the bad Hindi spoken by British Asian actor Dev Patel.

There was almost universal praise for Slumdog Millionaire's director Danny Boyle for choosing to capture, in the words of Bollywood lyricist Gulzar, "the spirit of Mumbai". "I am thrilled and happy ... Danny and Rahman helped to capture the spirit of this city," said the songwriter who penned the lyrics of Slumdog's winning song, Jai Ho.

A debate raged before the awards about whether the film could be described as authentically Indian. Film-maker Boyle, who won for best director and was previously best known for the frenetically bleak Trainspotting, is British. So is Simon Beaufoy, who won an Oscar for adapting the novel Q&A by Indian writer and diplomat Vikas Swarup.

But Mahesh Manjrekar, an actor who plays a gangster in the movie, told Indian television after the awards that "[Slumdog] is beautifully shot and it's an understanding film. Actually it's a Hindi movie shot in the English language. Danny is an Indian guy disguised as a Britisher."

The euphoria saw tributes flood in from India's most prominent actors and film-makers. Anurag Kashyap, the current enfant terrible of Bollywood, told Times Now that it was time for "all of India to celebrate". The country's president and prime minister also congratulated the "Indian winners" at the Academy Awards.

The movie, a fairytale of a boy from the slums who wins both love and money on a TV game show, was criticised by some in India for purveying "poverty porn". Shilpa Shetty, a Bollywood actor who became a star in Britain after winning Celebrity Big Brother, told newspapers that she felt "that internationally recognised films focus more on our slums and poverty".

However, such sentiments appear to have disappeared in the dawn chorus of congratulation. Reengo, a film-maker from Kolkata, told NDTV that "the success will energise producers, actors and directors all over India. I loved the movie and all of Indian cinema will be celebrating".

India has actually provided the inspiration for two of this year's Oscar winners. US film-maker Megan Mylan won the best documentary short Oscar for Smile Pinki, which is in Hindi and focuses on the work of Dr Subodh Kumar Singh in north India, whose surgery treats poor children born with a cleft lip. The main character who provides the title of the film is Pinki Sonkar. The eight-year-old attended the Oscars ceremony, along with the child actors of Slumdog Millionaire.

Slumdog Millionaire Release: 2008 Country: UK Cert (UK): 15 Runtime: 120 mins Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan Cast: Anil Kapoor, Azharudin Mohammed Ismail, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Irrfan Khan, Madhur Mittal, Rubina Ali.

Randeep Ramesh in Delhi Guardian.co.uk,
Monday 23 February 2009 07.06 GMT

Co-director Loveleen Tandon, Director Danny Boyle & screenwriter Simon Beaufoy

New York: A glittering red carpet night at the Imagine Asian Theater in NY on November 8, 2008 when Hollywood and Bollywood came together for the premiere of one of the most talked about movies so far this year “Slumdog Millionaire”.

“Slumdog Millionaire” is an incredible and highly recommended movie and has the Oscar buzz to prove it. The movie based on the novel “Q&A” by Vikas Swarup and screenplay written by the multi-talented Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty) shows the world real India- a country where over a billiion plus people live, many in poverty who have dreams of making a better life for themselves and struggle daily to find the answer. It’s also home to lavish Bollywood, incredible culture, music, stylish fashion, global techology and of course people like “Jamal Malik”.

At the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council star studded red carpet NY premiere hosted by founder Aroon Shivadasani, I had a rare chance to interview the director of the masterpiece, the highly acclaimed Danny Boyle who was surprised at the incredible reaction the film has received from the American audience in such a short time.

“I was always worried about the American audience reaction. I knew it would do well in England due to the strong connection we have with India but was a bit concerned about what western audiences would think” states the award winning director whose previous films have included “Trainspotting”, “The Beach” and “28 Days Later”.

No need to worry here. All the major film critics have embraced it with open arms.

Child actors from the film ”Slumdog Millionaire” pose with two Golden Globes during a news conference in Mumbai January 20, 2009. British director Danny Boyles Golden Globe award-winning film will be released in India on January 23.

Slumdog Millionaire has won this year's SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture!

The child stars of film Slumdog Millionaire spoke excitedly to reporters on the red carpet at the Oscars about what it is like being in Hollywood for the first time

Slumdog Millionaire's child stars celebrated their Oscar triumph with a longed-for trip to Disneyland.

The child actors from Slumdog Milllionaire celebrate the film's Oscar win for Best Picture on the "It's a Small World" ride at Disneyland in California.

Slumdog Millionaire children celebrate Oscar win at Disneyland

The children posed for pictures with Mickey Mouse and had fun on the rides at the California theme park.

Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, real-life slumdwellers who play the young Latika and Salim, were joined by Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, who plays the young Jamal. Also there were the actors who play them a few years later - Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala and Tanay Hemant Chheda - along with Madhur Mittal, who plays the grown-up Salim.

"I enjoyed all the rides. It was fun. People were asking for my autograph," said Tanvi, who played the middle Latika. The children have also visited Universal Studios and enjoyed a visit to the beach.

In an interview with www.rediff.com, Tanvi said of Oscar night: "I met many people at the Oscars, some of them I did not know very well. But I remember Angelina Jolie. She came and said that all of us had done a great job. Everybody was brilliant in the movie, she told us. Kate Winslet said I looked great."

"At times I was bored as I don't understand too much of Hollywood films. But still it was fun."

The children fly home to Mumbai Wednesday.

Dev Patel

Jimmy Kimmel Interviews Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire

jai ho

A R Rahman at Oprah winfrey show after Oscar Party

O saaya

A. R. Rahman Performing Live at the Oscars - "O...Saya" & "Jai Ho"

jai ho

Jai Ho ~ A. R. Rahman featuring Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalaxmi lyer

dreams on fire

Jai Ho !!! Dreams on fire/Latica's theme - A R Rahman Live !! Jay Leno TOnight show

A R rahman winner of 2 Academy awards for the categories 'Best Song' and 'Best Original Score' in Slumdog millionaire performing Academy award winning song Jai ho and dreams on fire at the Tonight show...

SCUMDAD MLLIONAIRE

THE father of a young Slumdog Millionaire star BEAT the lad yesterday — for wanting to have a rest.

Mohammed Ismail slapped and kicked his ten-year-old son Azharuddin in front of shocked neighbours and passers-by.

The tearful boy — who plays young hero Jamal — ran back inside his home, cowering and begging his father to stop as he tried to hide in a corner.

Azharuddin had just flown back to India from Los Angeles, where he and the movie’s other young stars watched as it picked up eight Oscars.

Attention

He had been given the day off school after his long flight and wanted to rest, but his father —who hopes child star Azharuddin could be his ticket out of Mumbai’s Dharavi slum — wanted to show him off outside their home.

The boy refused to co-operate — and said so out loud — and his 45-year-old father launched his attack as his mother pleaded with the thuggish dad to stop.

One stunned onlooker said: “Azharuddin’s father was upset that he was asking to be left alone because he was so tired. He didn’t attend school today so that he could recover from his long flight from LA and simply wanted all the attention to stop. However, when Azharuddin put his foot down and said that was it and there was to be no more talking, Ismail just flipped.”

The ugly scene was in stark contrast to Azharuddin’s triumphant return to the slums, when his father lifted him up and paraded him like a trophy.

Hours later Ismail — who suffers from tuberculosis — apologised for the attack.

He said: “I was very sorry I did what I did. “I was confused and stressed by my son’s homecoming and I did not know myself for a minute. I love my boy and I am very happy to have him home.”

source

THE SLUMGODS

THE child stars of Slumdog Millionaire returned to India yesterday — and were hailed as heroes.
The four included AHARUDDIN MOHAMMED, ten, and RUBINA ALI, nine, who were plucked from poverty in real-life slums to appear in the blockbuster movie.

They were treated more like SLUMGODS than Slumdogs as they flew back to Mumbai.

Dozens of cops were needed to escort the youngsters past cheering crowds at the city airport.

Rubina clutched a fluffy toy bunny as she and Azharuddin emerged with fellow stars AYUSH MAHESH KHEDEKAR and TANAY CHHEDA — their arms around each other’s shoulders.

They excitedly waved and blew kisses before being hoisted on to proud relatives’ shoulders and carried to limousines.

As Azharuddin and Rubina returned to their slum families, the Indian authorities announced that they would reward them with brand new homes.


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Latika's parents in brawl

RUBINA ALI’s parents had to be pulled apart after brawling with each other at her homecoming yesterday.

Her mum Khushi was pictured as she argued with ex-hubby Rafiq Qureshi in Mumbai.

Rubina Ali ... mum left her
A scuffle broke out as the pair rowed — just two days after Khushi is said to have had a catfight with the child star’s stepmum Munni.

The pair clashed on Monday as slum dwellers watched Rubina — who plays the youngest Latika in the film — on TV at the Oscars ceremony in Hollywood.

Neighbour Yakub Abdul Sheikh said: “They were hitting each other and tearing each other’s clothes off.”

Khushi walked out on Rafiq when Rubina was just four — leaving him to care for her.

Rafiq said: “She is a money grabber.”

But Khushi said: “I’m not here for money, I just want to celebrate the success.”


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SLUMDOG Millionaire star Dev Patel is going on the real Who Wants to be a Millionaire? — to raise cash for starving street kids.

Dev, 18, is in talks to appear on the ITV1 gameshow along with the Oscar-winning movie’s director Danny Boyle.

They may even line up gorgeous co-star Freida Pinto for the phone a friend option — echoing the hit film’s romantic storyline.

In Slumdog, Dev plays orphan Jamal from the slums of Mumbai, who wins the jackpot in India’s version of the quiz.

His bid for a real-life £1million prize is in conjunction with UK-based children’s charity Railway Children, which helps children living on the streets.

A source said: “Danny and Dev are keen to keep on giving back to the street kids, and have been talking to Railway Children about appearing on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

“Filming of the special depends on when both are available, as they are in huge demand following their Oscar success.

“But we hope it will happen later this year. To have Dev back in the Millionaire hot-seat would be brilliant, and would do a lot for the charity.”

Terina Keene, chief executive of Railway Children, said they had been inundated with calls following Slumdog’s success — and confirmed Dev and Danny were in talks to appear on a celebrity version of the quiz hosted by Chris Tarrant.

A spokeswoman for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? producers Celador said: “We were approached by Railway Children about doing the special — and we think it would be fantastic.

“Danny and Dev would play together, as with all our celebrity specials, but filming depends on their availability.”

Slumdog Millionaire scooped eight Oscars on Sunday and director Danny flew the movie’s younger stars 9,000 miles from Mumbai to Los Angeles for the star-studded ceremony.

DANNY is set to be offered the freedom of his home town Bury, Lancs, along with Brit award winning band Elbow and Paralympian Zoe Robinson.


source

Slumdog Kids Get Cheerful Homecoming Welcome



They’ve had quite a ride after their movie “Slumdog Millionaire” won 8 Oscars at Sunday’s Academy Awards. And earlier today the child stars of the movie returned home to Mumbai, India.

Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail (9 and 10 years old, respectively) received a true hero’s welcome as they arrived at Mumbai International Airport, with family and friends surrounding them immediately.

Getting back to life as usual, Ali headed home to the Behrampada slum area in Mumbai, an instant dose of reality after spending time in the lap of luxury in the United States.

Slumdog kids get heroes' welcome back home



Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail (9 and 10 years old, respectively) received a true hero’s welcome as they arrived at Mumbai International Airport, with family and friends surrounding them immediately.

Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, who played the brother of lead character Jamal in the film was given a rapturous reception when he returned home to his slum in a suburb of Mumbai today

Ismail was escorted by his father, mother, and older sister back to their home in the slum as well, though the movie’s success will hopefully improve their conditions.

Slumdog kids get heroes' welcome back home


Ayush Mahesh Khedekar is surrounded by fans

Slumdog Millionaire's child actors received a heroes welcome when they returned home from a trip of a lifetime to the Oscars.

Slumdog kids get heroes' welcome back home


Ayush Khedekar, Tanay Hemant Chheda, Tanvi Lonkar, and Rubina Ali Qureshi touch down

Ayush Khedekar, Tanay Hemant Chheda, Tanvi Lonkar, and Rubina Ali Qureshi touched down in Mumbai airport this morning fresh from their trip to Los Angeles.

The kids were the toast of Hollywood on Sunday when Slumdog Millionaire scooped eight Oscars including best director for Danny Boyle and best picture.

They were even treated to a trip to Disneyland afterwards where they met both Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Shantytown welcomes home its Slumdog kids



"Slumdog Millionaire" child actor Rubina Ali, 9, is welcomed back on her return to her home at a slum in Bandra, in suburban Mumbai, India,

Real Dharavi Setting of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Packs One Million People Into One Square Mile

"Slumdog Millionaire" has captivated audiences around the world with its rags-to-riches tale of true love lost and found, sweeping the board at the Golden Globes and Britain's BAFTAs, and bagging 10 Oscar nominations.

But concerns have been expressed that Azharuddin -- Azhar to his friends -- and nine-year-old Rubina Ali, who plays the younger version of Jamal's love interest Latika, still live in poverty in the sprawling slums.

There have also been court petitions and protests about the use of the word "slumdog" for being derogatory to slum-dwellers, as well as criticism of Western portrayals of Indian poverty.

About half of Mumbai lives and works in the patchwork of communities of precariously-built brick houses, bamboo and corrugated iron-roofed huts, many without running water and surrounded by open sewers and garbage dumps.

"Slumdog" director Danny Boyle, producer Christian Colson and others involved in the film insist that no offence was intended in the title and that they are providing for the two children.

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
Slumdog kids get heroes' welcome back home


Ayush Mahesh Khedekar is surrounded by fans

Slumdog Millionaire's child actors received a heroes welcome when they returned home from a trip of a lifetime to the Oscars.

This young man will live a long and healthy life and will one day be very rich....

quote:

Originally posted by chameli:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
Slumdog kids get heroes' welcome back home


Ayush Mahesh Khedekar is surrounded by fans

Slumdog Millionaire's child actors received a heroes welcome when they returned home from a trip of a lifetime to the Oscars.

This young man will live a long and healthy life and will one day be very rich....

hey great prediction n good wishes...for little Ayush....god bless wid good look..isn't he cute..look at deh dimples...looks lik he gat lipstick...but na....natural...

I was looking at his palm...and yes, now that u made me look at his face....he is indeed a looker wid a very charismatic smile and dem eyes will charm...
watch bollywood come looking for him soon

quote:

Originally posted by chameli:
I was looking at his palm...and yes, now that u made me look at his face....he is indeed a looker wid a very charismatic smile and dem eyes will charm...
watch bollywood come looking for him soon

dat's exactly wah meh been tinkin since i saw deh movie...and his pics...b4 oscars...den meh see him in dat little tux...and meh gat bowled ova...wid deh look...real qutie pie....

kids oscar interview

Chams..tek wan listen to him speak...i love dis...

Hollywood glamour comes alive at the 2009 Academy Awards red carpet! TV Guide Network's Lisa Rinna and Joey Fatone interview the kids from the film SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.

WOW! their english is really good

Anil SM red carpet

NDTV talks to Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan and Dev Patel at the Oscar red carpet

are they really kids from India...slums? wow...

amazing voice tone in english

quote:

Originally posted by chameli:
are they really kids from India...slums? wow...

amazing voice tone in english

The Rubina and Azhad are really slum kids...you are not reading my posts...its for info...the other kids are regular kids living in normal homes...yes their english is good...Rubina is a slum kid and has never been to school until now fm last June when the Director Danny got them both registered in English Medium school...

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

Chami...these two are really slum kids...but Rubina can speak good english but not Azhad...

Oscar SM moments

Producer Christian Colson...Director Danny speaks...with SM stars on red carpet..

The Oscars 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire, Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, Heath Ledger - The Oscars 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire wins 8 Oscars

Chams...here is the lil charmers...such soooo smooth...smiles..

Chami...Rubina and Azhar beside Azhar slum home...

Chams...this is Rubina slum home...with mom...family..

Chami...izzz weh yuh gane n left meh alone hey...

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
Chami...izzz weh yuh gane n left meh alone hey...

sarry...i went over by my momz for a lil bit....

i go by every other day or so and me tell me dad me coming and dem would wait till middlenite if me na go

Chami...check deh mehndi on Rubina hands..

Father Danny: A paternal looking Danny Boyle, director of hit film Slumdog Millionaire, enjoyed a day out at Santa Monica Pier with his young stars

Their trip comes the day after a fairytale visit to Disney World.

Danny Boyle takes the Slumdog children out... as film bosses pledge to buy poverty-stricken families new homes

By Liz Thomas and Barney Henderson In Mumbai

Slumdog child actor cries after being slapped by father


Slumdog Millionaire's Azharuddin Mohammed is brought down to earth with a bump

It was back to reality with a bump for Slumdog Millionaire actor Azharuddin Mohammed who was reduced to tears just a day after returning home from a trip of a lifetime to the Oscars.

The child star, 10, broke down after allegedly being hit by his father Ismail for refusing to be put on display like a trophy outside the family home.

From Slumdog to slapdog: Child actor beaten by father for refusing to leave shack


Crying out: Eyes full of tears, Azharuddin Ismail clutches his ears and sobs after being hit by his father

He's become an object of adulation for millions, but ten-year-old Azharuddin Ismail’s stardom doesn’t appear to cut much ice back at home with his father.

The youngster, who played the hero of Slumdog Millionaire as a child, received a beating from Ismail Usnay, 45, apparently for disobedience.

On Thursday, Azharuddin had returned to Mumbai after Slumdog’s triumph at the Oscar ceremony.

Exhausted by a chaotic welcome and a long flight from Los Angeles, he was given the day off school yesterday. But when he refused to step outside his home in the Dharavi slum in Bandra to speak to journalists, his father lashed out. ‘His father went mad,’ said a witness.

‘He wanted to show his son off to journalists and local people, but Azharuddin said he wanted to be left alone because he was tired.’

Crying and holding his ear, Azharuddin ran inside the makeshift home and tried to hide in the corner.

The ugly scene lasted no more than 30 seconds after Usnay, who is infected with TB, was restrained by neighbours. The child's mother, who is blind in one eye, had also begged the 45-year-old to stop the physical punishment.

Last night, he apologised for striking his son.

‘I was so confused and stressed by my son’s homecoming,’ he added. ‘I love my boy and I am very happy to have him home.’

The aggression was in stark contrast to the previous day's triumphant return to the slums, when Azharuddin's father lifted him up and paraded him like a trophy for the expectant crowds.

With the massed media long gone and the euphoria of returning home ebbing away, the reality of life in the slums seemed to be hitting the child hard.

Having paraded down the red carpets of Hollywood only six days ago and enjoyed the luxury of five-star hotels, returning to the slums must have come as something of a shock.
However, the families of Azharuddin and his co-star Rubina Ali, eight, have each been promised a flat each from the city in recognition of the honour they have brought to Mumbai. Details on their location and size are not yet known

Azharuddin Mohammed is welcomed back to India last week

Photos published in a London newspaper show one of the child actors of Slumdog Millionaire being beaten by his father only days after being part of the movie’s coronation at the Academy Awards.

The Sun published photos credited to Barcroft Media in which the 10-year-old film star Azharuddin Mohammed was slapped and kicked by dad, Ismail, after refusing to be put on display like a trophy.

One onlooker said: “It was like a scene out of Slumdog Millionaire.”

The father has apologized for striking his son, the Sun reported.

“I was so confused and stressed by my son’s homecoming that I did not know myself for a minute," he said. "I love my boy and I am very happy to have him home.”

The ugly scenes, which lasted no more than 30 seconds, broke out at around midday Friday in the Dharavi slum in Bandra, Mumbai.

Azharuddin, who had been given a day off school, was tired after his long haul flight from L.A. and hero’s welcome on Thursday.

And when he refused to be put on display outside his home Friday afternoon, his father lashed out, kicking and slapping him round the face.

His mother cried out for him to stop, but Ismail continued to dish out the physical punishment to the child-star.

“Azharruddin’s father was upset that he was asking to be left alone because he was tired,” said one shocked onlooker.

“He didn’t attend school today so that he could recover from his long flight from LA and simply wanted all the attention to stop.

“However, when Azharuddin put his foot down and said that was it and there was to be no more talking, Ismail just flipped."

Talking only moments before his father’s attack, Azharuddin spoke of his tiredness due to the long flight.

“I do not want to speak today to any reporters,” he said.

'Slumdog Millionaire' star's father asks for more

LONDON: The father of 10-year-old Mohammed Azharuddin, who acted in the Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire", has asked for more money from the makers of the film after it was revealed that the child would get less than 20,000 pounds for his work.

Azharuddin was paid 700 pounds during filming, while another 17,500 pounds has been put into a trust fund which he will get, plus interest, when he is 18. His family will get a new house worth 20,000 pounds, media reported.

The father who gathers wood and is suffering from TB said the money is not enough and that director Danny Boyle should hand over the money immediately.

He said: "My son has taken on the world and won. I am so proud of him but I want more money. They promised me a new house but it hasn't happened. I'm still in the slum. I want the money now, it is of no use later. Mr Boyle should take care of my son."

Father Of Slumdog Millionaire Star Is Cruel And Ungrateful!

The father of one of the breakout stars from Slumdog Millionaire is attempting to squeeze more money out of Slumdog director Danny Boyle!

Azharuddin Ismail, who played Salim in the Oscar winning pic was initially paid $1,000 dollars during the filming of Slumdog and $25,000 dollars have supposedly been placed in a trust that Ismail will have access to once he turns 18.

Boyle also supplies the 10 year old boy with a $30 dollar a week allowance and has promised to purchase his family a new home out of the slums for $30,000 dollars!

That's not nearly enough for Ismail's father, Mohammed!!

Are you kidding???

The money-grubbing father is demanding the money ASAP, telling reporters, "My son has taken on the world and wom. I am so proud of him but I want more money. I want the money now, it is of no use later. Mr. Boyle should take care of my son."

Mohammed was photographed beating his son last week after Ismail begged to rest his jet-lagged body upon returning from the Oscar ceremonies in Los Angeles!

Awful!

Slumdog producers are adamant on insisting the amount of money in the trust has not been revealed, but regardless, the money in a trust for good reason!

Keep the $$$$$ far away from this man!!!


Posted March 1st, 2009 by fashiongossip

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Slumdog Millionaire star falls ill

Slumdog Millionaire child star Azharuddin Ismail has fallen ill as fears grow about the psychological state of the two young Indian actors.

Azhar, 10, spent the weekend vomiting and has developed a temperature of 103 degrees since returning home last week after travelling to the Oscars with co-star Rubina Ali, 9.

He has been prescribed antibiotics by doctors, who said he is suffering from fever and exhaustion, but his condition has continued to worsen.

Azhar's neighbours have also rallied round to build an 8ft by 5ft metal structure for him to sleep under out of the sun.

The families of the two child stars have said their children are not readjusting to life back in the slums after five days of glitz and glamour in Los Angeles.

Mother Shameem Ismail said: "It has all become too much for him. He is very ill and has not recovered from going to America and all the media interest since we got back."

Rubina's father Rafiq Qureshi said. "Getting used to life back here in the slum again is proving tough for her and she has not wanted to see her friends since she got back. She just wants to spend all her time away from the slum now and I just hope we get the flat that has been promised to us.":

Both the Mumbai housing authority and Slumdog's producer Christian Colson have said they are going to provide proper flats for the two families. However, as yet the families have been told nothing and remain in the deprived slum.

Azhar, cuddling his new pet guinea pig, said: "I am very sad. I feel sleepy, hot and sick all the time. I can't get to sleep here – there are too many mosquitoes and it is so hot. I just wish I was in America still."

Having flown in a plane, slept in a soft bed and used a clean and functioning bathroom for the first time in their lives at a five-star hotel, the kids say they have now realised what life is like on the other side of the coin and the reality of being back in the slum is hitting them hard.

"I don't want to live here in the slum anymore," Rubina said, wearing the dirt stained ball gown that she has not wanted to take off since Oscars night. "I don't want to sleep on the floor anymore. I want a proper bed and live where the air does not smell of poo. I have seen what it is like in America. Here, there is garbage everywhere, people get angry, swear and shout. I have realised how bad life is here. I just want to get out."

Social workers have called for the children to be placed in care and state that they need to be given protection – either from Danny Boyle and the film production company or the Indian authorities.

"I cannot believe these kids have just been left like this after being taken to Hollywood. It is bound to affect them psychologically," said social worker Sanjay Bhatia, who works in the slum.

India's Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhary is "appalled" at the beating that Azhar took at the hands of his father on Friday. Azhar was thrashed for saying he wanted to sleep rather than talk to a journalist who had offered money to his father.

source

kids at filmfare awards

SM kids Rubina and Azhar at Filmfare Awards in Mumbai Feb 28...

Rahman to be awarded honorary doctorate


Chennai (PTI): Music maestro A R Rahman, who won two Oscars for his score in 'Slumdog Millonaire', will be awarded an honorary doctorate by Anna University here in recognition of his feat and his overall achievements.

According to University Vice-Chancellor P Mannar Jawahar, Rahman along with space scientist Mayilsamy Annadurai and Local Administration Minister M K Stalin will be awarded the doctorates at a special convocation scheduled for March-end.

A decision to this effect was taken at the syndicate meeting, which decided to celebrate the Anna centenary year celebrations by awarding honorary doctorates to these persons, he said. The university is named after DMK founder C N Annadurai, fondly called 'Anna'.

The Governor, to whom the list of names was submitted, had given his approval, he said.

While Rahman would be awarded the doctorate in Media Sciences, Annadurai and Stalin would receive their doctorates in aerospace technology and Humanities and Social Sciences, respectively.

Annadurai is being recognised for his achievements in space technology, while Stalin would be honoured for encouraging self-help groups in the state, Jawahar said.

source

Rahman gave new form to film songs: Gulzar


Mumbai (IANS): "The Rahman-Gulzar jodi can truly be captioned 'Jai ho'", says an overjoyed Gulzar after the "Slumdog Millionaire" song won the coveted Oscar trophy at the 81st Academy Awards.

"With all the bouquets my home has literally become Gulzar (full of flowers). The Rahman-Gulzar jodi can truly be captioned 'Jai ho'," Gulzar told.Speaking on A.R. Rahman's two Oscars, Gulzar said: "It's like the song I wrote for 'Guru' for him - 'Ek lo ek muft'. He got one Oscar and then the other one was a bonus. Happily I'm part of the second one."

Gulzar was not in Los Angeles when the double Oscar for "Slumdog Millionaire" including one for a song "Jai ho" written by the poet was announced on Sunday.

In fact, he wasn't even watching the Oscars when the Oscar for "Jai ho" was announced. "Forget about me. I feel very proud of Rahman? always have, always will. I think Rahman brought a change to Indian film songs. He gave a new form to the film song. This recognition at the Oscars proves that he has made a world of difference to the Hindi film song. Otherwise classical Indian music was always known globally even before the film songs."

Gulzar reminisced on Rahman and said: "I started noticing his path-breaking tendency when he did his first score with me in 'Dil Se'. But even before that he was doing pioneering work.

"When I heard the announcement for his first Oscar, I got a lump in my throat. It was enough for me. I got up and left the room. I didn't know my song 'Jai ho' won the Oscar. My son-in-law Govind came and hugged me and said, 'It's won a double Oscar - one for your song.'"

"It makes Indian cinema a part of world cinema, just like there are Asian awards that make us part of Asian cinema. Oscars certainly put us under a global gaze. Since the Oscars are American, our Indian films never before went into mainstream categories.

'Slumdog Millionaire' has opened up doors for our cinema." Gulzar is also very proud of Resul Pookutty who won an Oscar for sound mixing in the Danny Boyle's rags-to-riches drama "Slumdog Millionaire". "Rahman's Oscar we all expected. I'm happy to be part of his second Oscar. But Resul's recognition is a breakthrough for all technicians in Indian cinema." Gulzar would also like make mention of Sukhwinder singh who sang the Oscar-winning song "Jai ho". "No one else is mentioning him. He's an integral part of 'Jai ho'. Of course Rahman is the most important part of the song. But after that Sukhwinder and I are also important components in the song," he said. So why wasn't he at the Oscars ceremony?

"Because I didn't have a black coat and no lawyer was willing to lend me a size that fitted. I was too nervous to attend without a black coat." Press him a little further he comes out with the truth. "My right shoulder got hurt while playing tennis. I pulled a muscle two weeks ago. I'm going through therapy. I've a tennis tournament on March 1. Hopefully my physiotherapist will allow me. I'll play even if I lose. But I didn't want us to lose at the Oscars."

source

My Oscars will connect people, says A.R. Rahman

A smiling yet modest A.R. Rahman, who made a triumphant return home Thursday after winning two Oscars for the music of the film 'Slumdog Millionaire', said his victory would change apprehensions about Indian music in the West and was a starting point for him as well.

'My biggest dream to connect people through music has come true. In a world where there are enough reasons to separate us, the Oscars have unified us,' Rahman told reporters at the Kodak Theatre.

'Let's forget about the East and West divide now - it's the closeness now that has happened. There used to be a lot of apprehensions earlier for Indian music in the West but this award has changed that perception.'

Rahman won two golden statuettes for 'Slumdog Millionaire' for best original score and best original song for 'Jai Ho'. They were among the eight Academy Awards bagged by the film by British director Danny Boyle about an underdog-wins story set in India.

He also ruled out a political role for himself. 'I am a musician first and last and have no apirations for any political activity or office,' Rahman said while reacting to suggestions from reporters about accepting a nomination to the Rajya Sabha.

Rahman skirted the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils caught in the crossfire between the army and the rebel Tamil Tigers.

'Neither the Oscar ceremony nor this stage are forums to raise political issues. While I may be personally against any harm to any human being, I also feel that Tamils should get protection in a peaceful atmosphere in Sri Lanka, I am above politics,' Rahman said.

With his trademark humility and simplicity, the composer said the song, 'Jai Ho', which won an Oscar, may not have been his best to date.

'It may not have been my best. However, the songs matched the sensibilities of Western audiences with its rhythm, burst of energy and joy and resulted in a huge impact,' Rahman said.

'The series of awards has got me so much of respect. All the legends like Mick Jagger and others talk to me like equals now - that's great. We can do collaborations and some extraordinary work in the future,' he added.

As for his future plans, he said: 'I would continue to work in Tamil films - as much as I do in Hollywood - provided the projects excite me.'

Apart from two golden statuettes, Rahman also bagged the Golden Globes award and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) trophy for an original score in Danny Boyle's rags-to-riches drama 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

The film, that has won eight Oscars, has also been controversies' favourite child in India for highlighting the 'impoverished underbelly' of the country.

But Rahman said the film did not hurt anyone's sensibilities - either because of its name 'Slumdog Millionaire' or for showing India's underbelly. 'Dog is not an expletive,' Rahman said.

According to Rahman, the film focussed attention on Asia's biggest slum - Dharavi - in Mumbai and its children.

'If they (the producers) had made the film with a dirty mind, it would not have got an Oscar. The film shows India in a positive light. It shows that India is a developing nation. It gives so much mileage to India,' he said.

He said: 'I got the Oscar for all of them who wanted to get an Oscar in this country. So I got two of them. I want the future generation to feel confident that anyone can get an Oscar.

'It's an important award. It's a starting point even in my career as the Oscar is for my work in the film and not my entire talent.'

'I am not saying that I am the biggest or anything. I am a composer and the only message that I want to give through my music is peace and harmony. One should have a good intention and work through it and they will definitely be successful.'

Rahman's future projects include a film with Mani Ratnam's 'Robot' and 'Blue'.

Apart from Rahman, Resul Pookutty too won an Oscar for sound mixing in 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

Rahman said his Oscars were akin to the national award he won for his maiden film 'Roja'. 'That award established me nationally and the Oscars have made me internationally known. Else, I am the same,' Rahman said.

source

Rahman makes it to Billboard Top 100 Singles

Rahman has already made India proud by becoming first Indian to get a Oscars. Rahman has proved his magic not only in Bollywood but Hollywood also. He bags a double Oscar and Filmfare award this year. Rahman has put the Bollywood music to the next level in the world.

Billboard recently announced their top 100 list of the most popular songs and a big surprise in the list is that Rahman’s ‘Jai Ho‘ is the first Indian Song to get into the list. With *****cat Dolls doing the remix of Jai Ho with A R Rahman the song has climbed to the top 20 list of the Billboard. Musical maestro is the first Indian to be voted in the list and reached to number 15 in the list and will surely will go long enough.

So for Rahman its all the way ‘Jai Ho Jai Ho Rahman’. Rahaman appraisal all over the world has made us speechless to say anything more about him. Hats Off to A R Rahman from BollywoodTadka Team and all the music lovers around the world.

HOLI IN THE SLUMS...SINGING N DRUMMING..

Rubina Ali in her home...with wooden floors...big bed...

Oscar team welcomed with cheers and tears of joy



Sound technician Resul Pookutty and actor Irrfan Khan were virtually mobbed by a large crowd of onlookers who had gathered at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, while Azharuddin and Rubina - the two slum kids who acted in the movie - were the cynosure of all eyes. As they stepped out of the airport, the family members of both kids hugged them with tears of joy at their achievement. Slumdwellers of Garib Nagar had hired a bus to go to the airport to receive the children, said Yakub Sheikh, a neighbour of the two children's families.

When Pookutty stepped out, a cheering crowd offered him a bottle of champagne which he opened to a huge round of applause. All the team members were then garlanded by their friends, relatives and fans. Pookutty was taken to his home in Goregaon suburb of northwest Mumbai in an open car.

Even those who had come to either see off or receive their near and dear ones at the airport joined in the celebrities by offering flowers and cheering the Indians who had brought Oscar glory to the country. Police had made elaborate security arrangements at the airport and safely escorted the team members to their respective vehicles.

Slumdog team welcomed with cheers and tears of joy

MUMBAI: The Oscar winning team of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was greeted with tears of joy, garlands and champagne at the airport here on its return Oscar winner Resul from Los Angeles on early Thursday.

Sound technician Resul Pookutty and actor Irrfan Khan were virtually mobbed by a large crowd of onlookers who had gathered at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, while Azharuddin and Rubina - the two slum kids who acted in the movie - were the cynosure of all eyes.

As they stepped out of the airport, the family members of both kids hugged them with tears of joy at their achievement.

Slumdwllers of Garib Nagar had hired a bus to go to the airport to receive the children, said Yakub Sheikh, a neighbour of the two children’s families.

When Pookutty stepped out, a cheering crowd offered him a bottle of champagne which he opened to a huge round of applause. All the team members were then garlanded by their friends, relatives and fans. Pookutty was taken to his home in Goregaon suburb of northwest Mumbai in an open car.

Even those who had come to either see off or receive their near and dear ones at the airport joined in the celebrities by offering flowers and cheering the Indians who had brought Oscar glory to the country.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements at the airport and safely escorted the team members to their respective vehicles.

When Azharuddin and Rubina reached the slum in Bandra around 5 am, almost all the residents of Garib Nagar and the adjacent Behrampada slums were awake to receive them, said Sheikh.

“Although they had been gone for just a week, it has been an emotional reunion for their families,” he said.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ won the big ticket Oscars for best picture and best director at the 81st annual Academy Awards as well as for six others, including two for Indian music composer A R Rahman, who won for best original score and best original song for the exuberant “Jai Ho” with lyricist Gulzar.

While Pookutty shared the award with two others for best sound mixing, the film also won best adapted screenplay, best cinematography and best editing awards.

Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail

Social workers have called for the children to be placed in care and state that they need to be given protection – either from Danny Boyle and the film production company or the Indian authorities.

"I cannot believe these kids have just been left like this after being taken to Hollywood. It is bound to affect them psychologically," said social worker Sanjay Bhatia, who works in the slum.

India's Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhary is "appalled" at the beating that Azhar took at the hands of his father on Friday. Azhar was thrashed for saying he wanted to sleep rather than talk to a journalist who had offered money to his father.

'Slumdog' children get scholarships for free education

MUMBAI: Slumdog Millionaire actors Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail have one less worry. The children who stay in one of the sprawling slums in the city and tasted international acclaim for their role in the movie, were awarded scholarships for free education on Saturday.

The initiative from a self-help group called `We Love India' in association with D Y Patil Institute of Engineering and Technology will entitle the kids to free education up to graduation level or any other technical degree.

I want to make full use of this opportunity and study hard. When I grow up I want to become a successful actor like Salman Khan,'' said Azharuddin.

Prabhakar Jadhav, spokesperson for the institution told TOI, "The trust will fund the entire educational expenses of the two children. If they decide to pursue higher education, the trust will provide scholarships.

Slumdog Millionaire kids to catwalk at WIFW

The dream run continues for "Slumdog Millionaire" stars Rubina and Azharrudin who are set to sashay down the ramp for designer duo Ashima-Leena at the Wills India Fashion Week beginning here next week.

"As we watched these two beautiful children Rubina and Azhar, bringing the rare honour to our country, our hearts melted with emotions with the thought of their getting back to the slums after all the fame and glory they enjoyed," says designer Leena Singh, The capital-based designers, who have been doing solo shows with the WIFW since its inception in 2000 have not had any celebrity endorsements so far.

"We are a very business oriented brand and have always believed that our clothes are the stars. But the thought of these two innocent children touched our hearts returning to the slums. We really felt very bad and decided to do something for them which will make them keep going in life," says the designer.

Both Rubina and Azaruddin who starred as the young Latika and Jamal in the eight Oscar winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" will be wearing outfits specially designed by Ashima Singh.

"Ashima is just finishing up the designs for the children. They will be wearing clothes that have a very global look," Leena told PTI without giving further details. PTI

New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI)

Freida Pinto is the ramp scorcher at Milan Fashion Week

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto walked the ramp at Milan Fashion Week on Monday.

Freida, who’s been the latest Indian covergirl on international magazines, got to strut her stuff at the Dolce & Gabbana show at Milan Fashion Week - Autumn/Winter 2009 at the Metropole.

Dressed in a loose gown embellished with accessories, Freida sashayed the runway confidently at the show that had among the audiences the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes, Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzigova and the Italian Bond girl Caterina Murino.

Meanwhile, there are rumours that Freida might be signed on as the next ambassador of the beauty brand Estee Lauder. However, Estee Lauder spokeswoman and Freida’s manager have declined to comment on this.

The 24-year-old ‘Slumdog’ starlet has already signed a Woody Allen film in which she gets to star with Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts and Anthony Hopkins. She is now thinking of moving to New York to work full time in Hollywood.

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Freida Pinto Is the Next Bond Girl

Young actress could be on Daniel Craig’s arm in 23rd Bond film

Bond girls are, as a rule, like a trampoline for a rising young star. Even if the part itself does not require much acting, or talent for that matter, as critics have often pointed out, being named as a Bond girl is the ultimate tribute paid to beauty, grace and elegance. For the 23rd film, an actress that has already proved her worth might be chosen, sources are saying: Freida Pinto of “Slumdog Millionaire.”

The 22-year-old actress, who has starred in the multi-award winning film, has reportedly been spotted by Bond producers as early as “Quantum of Solace,” but, despite her stunning beauty, she could not be cast in it because of her age. Now that she’s older and her name certainly rings a few bells with the audiences, producers are set on having Freida shine on Daniel Craig’s arm in the next installment of the franchise, according to the British tabloid The Sun.

“Freida came to the attention of the Bond team when they were casting ‘Quantum of Solace.’ She was too young at the time to have a part as a love interest for a secret agent. But she has blossomed into an incredibly stunning young woman and would look perfect on Daniel Craig’s arm.” sources close to Bond chief Barbara Broccoli from EON Productions are telling the aforementioned publication. “Danny Boyle is favorite to take the helm of the next movie, which would increase Freida’s chances of a starring role.” it is further being said.

As reported at the beginning of the month, Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, who helmed “Slumdog Millionaire,” was poised to act as director for the upcoming Bond film as well. With him on board, getting Freida would be much easier, sources are saying, adding that both deals are almost done.

“Danny is the man of the moment and he is being bombarded with offers from studios. He has been offered the chance to direct the 23rd Bond film by Barbara. The EON team loves his vision and thinks that it would work perfectly for the new look of Bond. Danny has always insisted he is more interested in the film than the money.

However, with Daniel Craig’s involvement and the way the films are now structured – with the emphasis on the characters and plot rather than gags and gadgets – it is right up Danny’s street. Everyone on the EON team thinks Danny would be a fantastic addition to the Bond family.” other sources were telling the same publication in early March.

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Little Rubina and Azhar’s brush with power

All dressed up and smiling, the child stars of the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire - Rubina Ali Qureshi and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail Shaikh - came from the shanties of Mumbai and met Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday.

"Soniaji today met the kids who had acted in Slumdog Millionaire," Tom Vadakkan, media secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC), told IANS. Rubina, 9, and Azharuddin, 10, met her at her residence in 10, Janpath, New Delhi.

Later on Thursday, they were due to walk the ramp for designers Ashima and Leena Singh at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW).

Freida Pinto in Indian Vogue - Style Inspiration!

Freida Pinto has arrived. She has been killing it on the red carpet ever since Slumdog Millionaire started making the rounds. Her John Galliano Oscar dress blew everybody else out of the water, landing her on multiple best dressed lists. And she's landed a Vogue cover after being on the scene ... mere seconds -- or so it feels.

Freida Pinto - Style Inspiration!

Granted, Freida has a background in modeling so it's no surprise that her Vogue shoot is absolutely stunning. But, this girl is no fashion one hit wonder. We've been crushing hard on her style choices ever since we first saw her!

Check out the gallery and let us know -- do you think this is one fashionista destined to make it big(ger) in Hollywood?

Tags: freida pinto on the cover of indian vogue, FreidaPintoOnTheCoverOfIndianVogue

Scarlett Johansson takes Freida Pinto under her wing at Milan Fashion Week

Freida pinto at Extreme Beauty in Vogue fashion party



Freida pinto attending the Extreme Beauty in Vogue party at milan fashion week. i love the shoes.
The color of this dress is just great. and those shoes are oh-so nice.

Ah there is more good news, there are rumors that freida pinto will be
the brand ambassador for estee lauder.
Way to go freida! what a rise she has seen in one year

Scarjo, Eva and Freida: 'Extreme' Beauties


This much hotness in one room could be dangerous

Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes and Slumdog Millionaire beauty Freida Pinto all attended the party to launch the Extreme Beauty in Vogue exhibition at the Palazzina della Ragione during Milan Fashion Week last night.

Mendes and hot young thing Pinto looked stunning as usual. But why did some uncaring stylist decide to corpse up Scarjo? The Telegraph reports that the Extreme Beauty exhibition is being held in conjunction with designers Dolce & Gabbana's first foray into cosmetics. Johansson is the face of the new makeup line. The exhibition, which opens to the public on Wednesday, will explore the role of beauty in society, with…

From Slums to Vogue for Freida

FREIDA PINTO'S rags-to-riches fairy tale continues - she's now gracing the cover of Vogue.

The Slumdog Millionaire actress is being hailed as a fashion icon as well as Hollywood's hottest new property.

Freida Pinto

Freida Pinto (born October 18, 1984) is an Indian actress and professional model, best known for her performance as Latika in her debut film Slumdog Millionaire, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2009. Pinto won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Personal life and background

Freida Pinto was born in Mumbai to Sylvia Pinto, a principal of St. John’s Universal High School (Goregaon), and Frederick Pinto, a senior branch manager at the Bank of Baroda. Freida Pinto's father is from Neerude and mother from Derebail, both towns in Mangalore. Her elder sister Sharon Pinto is an associate producer on the NDTV news channel.

Pinto studied at Carmel of St. Joseph School in Malad and completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English Literature from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. She currently resides in Malad, a suburb of Mumbai.
She is also trained in different forms of Indian classical dance as well as Salsa.
In an interview, Pinto stated that although she is "completely pure Indian", some of her ancestors were probably from Portuguese background, which explains the origin of her surname Pinto.

Career

Before starring in Slumdog Millionaire, Pinto anchored the international travel show, Full Circle on Zee International Asia Pacific in English between 2006-08. Pinto was also featured in several television and print advertisements for products such as Wrigley's Chewing Gum, Škoda, Vodafone India, Airtel, and DeBeers. Pinto modeled for four years and appeared in runway shows and magazine covers. She learned acting from The Barry John's Acting Studio in Andheri and was trained by her mentor Barry John. After six months of auditions, she received a call to audition for Slumdog Millionaire. Pinto auditioned for Danny Boyle and was short-listed and finally selected to star in Slumdog Millionaire.

Pinto made her film debut in 2008. Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai who appears on a game show and exceeds people's expectations, arousing the suspicions of the game show host and of law enforcement officials. In the movie, Pinto played the role of Latika, the girl with whom Jamal (Dev Patel) is in love. At the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, the movie won the Cadillac People's Choice Award. At the 2009 Golden Globe Awards, the movie won four awards. Pinto herself was nominated for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" at the 2009 BAFTA Awards, and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture alongside ten other cast members from Slumdog Millionaire.

Pinto has been cast in Woody Allen's next film set in London. Other cast members include Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Naomi Watts, and Nicole Kidman. Shooting for the film starts in July 2009.

Awards and Honours

Won

2009: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Slumdog Millionaire

Nominated

2008: Black Reel Awards of 2008 - Best Ensemble for Slumdog Millionaire

2009: 62nd BAFTA Awards - Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Slumdog Millionaire

Filmography - Slumdog Millionaire - English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu.

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Jai Ho did not deserve an Oscar: Jagjit Singh

The world might be ga ga over A R Rahman's Oscar winning composition Jai Ho but legendary Ghazal singer, Jagjit Singh finds the song overrated.

The 68-year-old legend who is famous for his candid nature believes that getting the Academy award was a golden moment in Indian history but the song per se did not deserve the honour.

"Getting an Oscar is no doubt a great achievement but the song, for which we got the award, is not so special. Frankly I did not understand on what basis it was awarded," Singh said at a function where he released his new album Inteha.

The Ghazal maestro, said that he did not understand the lyrics of the composition and why it has become so popular that everybody from Indian political parties to International pop bands is eager to use it.

When referred that lyrics for the song has been penned by Gulzar with whom he has given many hits, Singh said, "When I work with Gulzar Sahab I categorically tell him to write such poetry which my fans and I can understand."

Singh, who has composed some hit music for films like Arth and Saath Saath in the 80's does not seem to have a good opinion about today's Bollywood music as he stated, "it lacks profound poetry and soulful tunes".
The singer who started his journey in the film industry as a music composer with Prem Geet in 1981 said, "It (Bollywood music) is cheap music just meant for discotheques with nonsensical lyrics."
Taking a potshot at Delhi-6 hit song Masakali, Singh said that he was puzzled with the usage of offbeat words in the lyrics on Tuesday.

The legend, who is accredited with bringing Ghazal genre, which was previously restricted to the elite classes, to the masses, felt that Ghazal scenario in India was degrading as it lacks good songwriters and passionate singers.

The Baat nikalegi to fir singer, felt that Ghazals were also lacking media patronage. Talking about his idol, Pakistan's famous Ghazal singer, Mehendi Hassan who is reportedly facing an acute economic crunch said, "Government cannot take care of everybody. Successful singers should invest at the right time to secure their future and then come forward to promote others as well."

His latest album was launched 35,000 feet above sea level in an airplane by sitarist Anoushka Shankar.

Singh said, "The album coming after two years was long due for my fans." All 8 tracks of the album, comprising mostly romantic songs and some inspired by philosophy of life, will be released in DVDs and VCDs.

"Today it has become important to make videos of the songs to attract the young crowd. In a way its a good effort as it exposes youngsters to Ghazals and generate their interest in this, otherwise neglected genre of music."
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Slumdog Millionaire makers donate £500,000 to Mumbai charity

The money will fund a five-year project to improve living standards for slum children living in the Indian metropolis where the Oscar-winning film was shot..

The rags-to-riches tale of Slumdog Millionaire took a fresh twist today as the film's makers announced plans to funnel a portion of the film's profits to a charity working with slum children in the city of Mumbai. A donation totalling £500,000 will be overseen by the charitable organisation Plan.

Slumdog Millionaire was filmed in the Indian metropolis on an estimated $15m (£10m) budget. It went on to win eight Oscars at February's Academy Awards and has so far earned more than $300m at the global box office.

"Having benefited so much from the hospitality of the people of Mumbai it is only right that some of the success of the movie be ploughed back into the city in areas where it is needed most and where it can make a real difference to some lives," director Danny Boyle said in a statemet. "Despite intimidating odds, extraordinary work is going on to help people break the cycle of poverty through education. We're delighted that this initiative will add to that ongoing work."

Following Slumdog's success, the film's creators faced criticism for their handling of the Mumbai-based actors. In February it was revealed that child stars Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail were still living in makeshift shacks on the city's outskirts. Both were later rehoused by the Indian authorities.

The £500,000 donation will fund a five-year project to improve living standards for the city's children. "Around one billion of the world's population live in slums and there are 100,000 new slum dwellers every day," said Plan spokesperson Marie Staunton. "Slumdog Millionaire has shown audiences around the world a snapshot of what life is like for one in six people on the planet."

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Father of 'Slumdog Millionaire' star Rubina Ali tries to sell his daughter!


Father tries to cash in on daughter's fame

THE poverty-stricken father of Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina Ali plans to become a millionaire himself-by SELLING his nine-year-old daughter.

In a bid to escape India's real-life slums, Rafiq Qureshi put angel-faced darling of the Oscars Rubina up for adoption, demanding millions of rupees worth £200,000.

As he offered the shocking deal to the News of the World's undercover fake sheik this week, Rafiq declared: "I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

Rafiq tried to blame Hollywood bosses for forcing him to put his daughter up for SALE.

As he tried to fix the illegal adoption deal, real-life slum dweller Rafiq declared: "We've got nothing out of this film."

Then, almost embarrassed to speak it out loud, he whispered to an accomplice the price tag he has put on his innocent young daughter: "It's £200,000!"

That was an astonishing FOURFOLD increase on his opening demand. But Rafiq's equally demanding brother Mohiuddin insisted: "The child is special now. This is NOT an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!"


BUY MY DAUGHTER: Father Rafiq (centre) and uncle Rajan More (left) pose
with Rubina and our undercover team

Dad Rafiq is desperate to cash in on their nine-year-old's success in the blockbuster film by selling her to the highest bidder.

He sees it as his family's escape route from the notorious Bandra slum sprawl of Mumbai.

Rafiq revealed his scheme to undercover News of the World reporters posing as a wealthy family from Dubai.

Riches - Riches - Riches - Slumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali's dad puts his daughter up for sale

We travelled to Mumbai to expose the illegal sale after a tip-off from a concerned close family friend and former neighbour.

Shockingly, this sort of transaction is far from unusual in an impoverished nation where human life comes cheap and children are often treated as a commodity.

Rubina won the hearts of film-lovers around the world playing young Latika in British director Danny Boyle's movie that picked up eight Oscars and a pile of other glittering awards. It tells the rags to riches story of a young man from the slums who wins the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Filmed in Mumbai's seething pauper ghetto it depicts starkly true scenes of poverty and child cruelty, where young orphans are blinded and crippled by Fagin-like thugs and forced to beg on the streets. And with a staggering 11 million children abandoned in India every year, there is no shortage of young prey.

Our informant, now a city tour guide, told us: "Rubina's family are furious that despite the film doing so well and their pretty daughter becoming so famous, they are still living in such rough conditions.

"They were approached by one wealthy Middle Eastern family who saw their plight in an item on Al Jazeera TV. The couple expressed an interest in adopting young Rubina and her parents' eyes lit up.

"Dad Rafiq is streetwise and knows that soon his daughter's success will be forgotten and her moment of fame will be over. He has a family to feed and simply can't afford it. He is keen to find a rich family to bring up Rubina but only if they are willing to help the whole family to get out of the slums.

"The Middle East family were moved to tears by the plight of the young orphans shown in the film and fell in love with Rubina. "Just as Western stars like Madonna do, they want to adopt children from poor areas and give them a better life. "This family wanted to take Rubina abroad. They agreed to come to Mumbai to discuss the adoption in May.

"But the approach has made Rafiq very greedy and he has said that he will consider the highest offer for his child. But they realise that the money will soon stop coming in and Rafiq is open to all offers."

SECRET SHAME: Rubina Ali is held aloft at Mumbai celebrations by dad now trying to sell her


Our investigator made contact with Rafiq and said we had heard he was considering having Rubina adopted. He told Rafiq he was acting for a wealthy Arab sheik who wanted to take the youngster to live with him 2,000 miles away in Dubai.

Rafiq replied: "Yes, we are considering Rubina's future.

"Why don't you speak to my brother-in-law, Rajan, and he will discuss it with you? I will ask him to call you."

After contacting us, Rubina's uncle Rajan More - who speaks good English - confirmed: "Yes, we are interested in securing our girl's future.

"Rubina's life is miserable and she lives here with her stepmother. Most of the time she stays with me because she is not happy at her parents' home.

"Obviously if you wanted to adopt we could discuss this, but her parents would also expect some proper compensation in return. We are talking of around £50,000 for this to happen." In another phone call, father Rafiq coolly confirmed: "Whatever you have discussed with Rajan, I agree with. Whatever money is agreed by Rajan, I will accept.

"We can discuss everything about this deal when we meet. There's a lot of interest in Rubina, she's become very famous."

Without querying the background, intentions, or even the names of Rubina's prospective new parents, Rafiq arranged to meet us.

Rubina - Abuse

And as soon as we said the wealthy family lived in the United Arab Emirates Rafiq suggested: "We would love to come there.

"I have never been there but I have seen it in Indian films. It looks a great place."

Trafficking of poor Indian children to the Middle East, where they are forced to risk their lives as camel jockeys or subjected to sexual abuse, is common in the Mumbai slums. But that did not deter Rafiq.

His first plan was to bring Rubina plus other relatives to visit us in Dubai to discuss the deal. But he had to scrap the idea because he could not get a passport. He is disqualified because he is facing police charges over a knife attack.

That is why he did not accompany Rubina to the Oscars ceremony and her Uncle Mohiuddin went instead.

Rafiq tried to shrug off the problem, claiming: "There is a case against me but it's nothing. I'm trying to get it sorted now. In India you can buy anything if you have money!"

His Plan B was the meeting in Mumbai fixed for Thursday evening. But he arrived late with his little daughter at the luxurious Leela Kempinski hotel at 11.35pm, when most children her age would be in bed.

Also tagging along were trusted sidekick Rajan More, Rafiq's brother Mohiuddin, a friend called Dinesh Dubey and two young nephews. "They were all keen to see what the hotel looks like inside," explained Rajan as he entered the £480-a-night suite.

Smiling broadly, Rubina, who was wearing a torn orange and white Indian dress, looked around the room in amazement. She was proudly clutching her new Nokia mobile phone, a gift from a well-wisher.

She said: "My house is as big as the toilet you have here. We live in Gharib Nagar (Poor Man's Colony)."

As the young VIP ordered strawberry milk shake and ice-cream, dad Rafiq proudly told how his daughter clinched the part in the international blockbuster film.

The two child actors from the hit film 'Slumdog Millionaire', Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, sashayed up the runway in India.

India's favourite 'Slumdogs' took to the catwalk during India's Fashion Week, extending their Oscar glory and cementing their star status.
The two child actors from the hit film 'Slumdog Millionaire', Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, sashayed up the runway in their chic glad rags for Indian designers Ashima and Leena Singh.

The eight-year-olds, who shot to fame after being plucked from a Mumbai slum, have had a whirlwind year after being flown to Hollywood for the Oscars and now posing on the catwalk alongside international models.

Ali was draped head to toe in an extravagant gypsy-inspired outfit and Ismail modeled a traditional Indian sherwani suit, while dancing down the catwalk to the Oscar-winning song 'Jai Ho' from the film.

Azharuddin told reporters that his favourite thing about going to Los Angeles was getting to stay in a nice hotel and getting dressed up again for the fashion show would bring back some of that brilliant memory.

Designers Ashima and Leena had another surprise for the young actors; they have set up a foundation to sponsor the education for the two tykes, as well as helping out other children from the slum.

Leena Singh said she wants to name their foundation the 'Slumdog' collection.

Two of the "Slumdog Millionaire" Child Actors Rubina Ali Qureshi and
Azharuddin M. Ismail Walked and Catwalk under Delhi's Fashion Week

Slumdog Millionaire" Child Stars walked the ramp shows creations by designer duo
Ashima and Leena Singh at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in New Delhi.

Toys

"One of our neighbours where we live took her to the audition," he said. "Around 1,500 kids turned up and my daughter passed. The film took over a year to make and she worked on it for a month."

Slumdog has been a roaring success, raking in a staggering £185 million at box offices around the world.

But Rafiq, 36, again complained: "They haven't looked after us. They gave some money at the start but they gave us nothing afterwards. They gave us around 150,000 rupees (£2,040). They've been talking about giving us a house, but all they do is talk." Rubina chipped in: "But I did get toys. When we were filming in Juhu beach I got some crayons."

In fact Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson have set up a trust to ensure Rubina gets a proper education, is well housed and receives support dealing with media attention.

It was reported that Rafiq had spent some of his daughter's film fees on medical treatment to a leg he broke while working as a carpenter. He also used her cash to buy a new mobile phone for himself so agents can contact him to discuss work offers for his daughter. Rafiq has two other children - Sana, aged 13 and six-year-old Abbass - as well as another baby on the way by Rubina's stepmum Munni. Street-kid Rubina is one of only a handful of youngsters who attend school in her neighbourhood.

Rafiq added: "What they showed in the film is exactly how life is here. The government doesn't help us. We get nothing. "We live in one room, seven of us sleep on the floor. I earn £2 to £3 a day. I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

A fortnight ago Rubina and fellow child actor Azharuddin Ismail were each given a £12,000 luxury apartment by Slumdog sound engineer Rasul Pookutty. The property in Kerala, south India, was awarded to Rasul - who himself escaped poverty - by the local council in honour of his Oscar achievement.

But Rafiq dismissed the gesture, complaining: "We haven't got anything yet, it's all supposed to come later. It's all talk. It's being built, it'll take a year to be finished."

Stardom

And Rafiq insisted he had no intention of moving to Kerala, even when the apartment is complete.

"I won't move," he said. "I can never leave Mumbai. My childhood was here, everything I know is here in Mumbai."

As Rafiq spoke, Rubina excitedly looked around the suite, giggling and pointing out a large plasma TV on the wall to her 13-year-old cousin Mohsin.

Then she spoke about her new-found stardom. "I like being famous," she said. "Everyone where I live knows me and likes me now. Some people who I don't even know shout my name wherever I go - 'Rubina, Rubina'!"

She proudly told us how she had worked with the stars on Slumdog and with "Uncle Danny (Boyle)

This child is special, an Oscar child. So now we want £200k

When our female investigator, posing as a princess - the sheik's wealthy wife - handed Rubina three boxes of chocolates, she was thrilled. She shrieked with delight as we gave her a silver pendant.

Director Danny Boyle, Rubina Ali and Slumdog Millionaire co-star Azharuddin Ismail"Can I stay in your bedroom?" asked the innocent youngster. "I've never seen a bed like this in real life. I've seen one like it in films though.

"Where we live there are all poor people. That's why the area is called Poor Man's Colony. There are all small huts, sewers and gutters, and sometimes the dirty water comes in the house. And there are lots of creepy-crawlies. I'm scared of spiders and mosquitoes. Our house is very small. We sleep on the floor."

As Rubina jumped on the bed and played with the TV remote, her cousins tucked into a bowl of fruit and ice-cream.

Flicking through the channels, Rubina said: "Our TV is clapped out. It hardly works. The sound keeps going, especially when my favourite songs are on."

Excitedly she added: "I'm going to be in a TV advert with a famous English actress soon!" In fact, she recently finished filming a soft drink commercial with Australian star Nicole Kidman. It was shot in India and Rafiq pocketed £2,000 for Rubina's performance.

Rubina was completely unaware she had been brought to the hotel by the men she trusted, those who should love and protect her, to discuss her SALE. We made certain throughout that Rubina did not know she was being offered for adoption in return for cash.

Rubina believed that she was merely at the hotel to meet a wealthy movie fan who wanted to present her with chocolates.

As midnight passed, our undercover reporter pointed out to Rafiq that it would be a good idea to take his youngster home to bed. Together with his entourage, Rafiq eventually left just before 1am.

Trade - Children Trafficking?

CAUGHT ON FILM: Uncle Rajan (left) and father Rafiq>>>>>>

"We can talk other matters tomorrow," said Rafiq, as he arranged to return to our suite to discuss business. He then asked for 1,000 Rupees (£13) to cover his cab fare back to the slums.

As Rubina left she asked our man: "Uncle, can I come here again as well? Please, please!"

On the way out Uncle Rajan, a burly man in his fifties with his hair and moustache dyed jet black, also had a request.

He pulled our reporter to one side and said: "Besides Rubina, if you are interested in having a young boy then I can arrange that. There are several available for adoption. Obviously you won't have to pay anything like the money for Rubina. Have a think and let me know then I can arrange for you to meet the children and choose the one you prefer."

Although illegal, India's sickening baby trade is widespread. Last year we revealed how a local social worker was exploiting dirt poor families and selling their kids for £1,500 a time. She even lined up a poverty-stricken mother willing to sell her unborn child for just £1,000.

On Friday, yet more of Rubina's family, friends and even a neighbour's kid joined the outing from the slums to the Leela hotel to meet our reporters.

This time the 13-strong party included Rubina's 28-year old stepmum Munni Qureshi, who is three months' pregnant. Staff at the plush hotel looked on bemused as the kids began staging races along the corridor and lobby.

Meanwhile, Rafiq, Rajan and Mohiuddin headed to our suite to talk business. Rubina, in white blouse and jeans, sat next to her dad and Uncle Rajan on the cream sofa, still unaware her fate was being decided by them. To save her discovering the truth our man suggested she go next door and play with "the princess" - our female investigator.

Then the men, got straight down to business. "Let's talk openly," urged Rajan. Our reporter said his boss the sheik was willing to adopt Rubina and take her to Dubai and asked the men what their demands were. Rajan explained that no deal could go ahead for a few weeks because the family have been promised a house by the Indian government. If Rubina went abroad they would lose the house.

The governing Indian Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi - currently campaigning for the general elections later this month - has vowed to help them find a home.

Calculating Rajan explained: "Rafiq is about to get a property which will be in his name after Rubina is 18, so it'll take a bit of time. The other thing is about the amount. He wants to tell you. Listen to him." Rafiq looked visibly uncomfortable and returned to the theme of the free government house.

"We need time, until after the elections," he insisted. "We need two or three months."

Again Rajan chipped in: "You have to give time. . . you have to wait. Until then we can negotiate the amount. We'll come to Dubai, the girl will come and go.

'Slumdog Millionaire' star Rubina Ali's father denies he tried to sell her

The father of adorable "Slumdog Millionaire" star Rubina Ali is refuting an undercover report that he tried to sell his 9-year-old daughter.

The story, published by Britain's News of the World newspaper, is a "lie made up by foreign journalists playing games with me," cash-strapped dad Rafiq Qureshi tells People magazine.

Qureshi, who lives in a Mumbai slum along with his star daughter, offered to sell Ali for nearly $300,000 to undercover reporters, the paper says. News of the World also published a photo of their journalists meeting with the family while disguised as a wealthy couple from Dubai.

Qureshi was reportedly fielding several lucrative adoption offers for the starlet. Ali's dad allegedly upped his asking adoption price for his apple-cheeked little girl during the negotiations because of Ali's star status.
"The child is special now," Qureshi's brother said, per the paper. "This is an Oscar child!"Qureshi now acknowledges he received an offer to adopt Ali but says he pretended to be interested in an effort to be polite.

"In India, you never say 'no' directly, least of all to guests," he said. "You try not to offend people by refusing to help. They said they were childless and desperately fond of Rubina after seeing her in the film. I felt sorry for them, but I was never going to give her up."

Ali echoed her father's statements, saying, "I trust my father. He loves me. He has never said that he wants to give me up. I did meet an uncle and auntie in a big hotel but it was not about adoption. I will never give any foreign journalist an interview again."

The child actress and her father were spotted at a police station in Mumbai on Monday where both were interrogated about the incident.

Ali rose to fame earlier this year as the young Latika in "Slumdog." Break-out star Freida Pinto played the grown-up version of Latika.

Despite the stardom, Ali's father reportedly said the family "got nothing out of this film," although director Danny Boyle has set up apartments for Ali and fellow "Slumdog" child star Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and their families, which will be available soon.

Boyle has also set up a trust fund for Ali for her education.

Father of Slumdog star Rubina Ali arrested

Rafiq Qureshi, the father of Slumdog Millionaire starlet Rubina Ali, has been arrested over claims that he tried to sell his daughter for 200,000 pounds.

A complaint from the 36-year-old man’s ex-wife initiated the arrest.

Indian cops spent several hours quizzing Qureshi and are now on a prowl to obtain video recordings of the meeting at which the deal was supposedly brokered, reports ‘The Sun’.

Rubina's mother Khurshida claimed she knew two weeks ago of the intended child-trade with a rich Dubai sheikh.

However, she added: "My elder daughter had informed me...I did not believe he would actually go through with it."

Khurshida dubbed her ex-hubby and his new wife Mina as "money-crazy" and desperate to cash-in on the nine-year-old's fame.

Police official Prakash Salunke, who is leading the investigation, said: "Khursida was very upset by the media reports and she came to lodge a complaint.

We are registering her grievance and then we'll investigate and decide what further steps should be taken in the matter. When we questioned Rubina she said she does not want to go anywhere and wants to live with her father.

"Similarly, Rafiq Qureshi also said he has no intentions of selling her."

Christian Colson, the producer of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, said: "Our friends and colleagues in Mumbai are trying to speak with Mr Qureshi to get to the bottom of what happened."

source

Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina 'earned more from shooting three-day soft drinks ad than from the whole film'

She has reportedly earned more from making a soft drinks ad than for her role in Slumdog

One of the child stars of Slumdog Millionaire has earned more from a three-day shoot for a commercial than from the whole of the Oscar-winning movie, it has been claimed.

Rubina Ali, nine, who plays actress Freida Pinto’s character in the film as a little girl, shot the ad for soft drinks alongside Nicole Kidman in India.
The commercial was directed by legendary Hollywood helmer Ridley Scott.

Rubina Ali at the Oscars (left) and near her home in the slums of Mumbai.

Commercial with Nicole Kidman

The nine-year-old was plucked from Mumbai’s slums to act in Danny Boyle’s film but, despite its runaway box office success, she went back to the same life as before.

The film’s executives then set up a trust fund for her and the other child stars.

But Rubina’s father, Rafiq Ali, claims the cashflow had stopped.
He said: 'The Slumdog Millionaire people haven’t kept all their promises despite the media attention.

'We have no information about the supposed trust fund - and the £21 a month that they were giving for her studies has stopped coming.
He added: 'We are very proud of her and hope she continues to become a big star. 'Maybe then we will be able to live in a proper house.

'The money she’s receiving for doing this ad is more than the total she got for Slumdog.' (So where is this money...spent by father.??)
Daily Mail - Nicole Kidman co-stars with Rubina in the commercial.

Pictured: Family catfight after allegations that Slumdog Millionaire star's father tried to sell her for £200,000

A spectacular catfight between the mother and stepmother of Slumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali has been caught on camera.

Tearing at each other's hair and slapping each other across the face, the two women traded blows - watched by Rubina - in the middle of Mumbai's Garib Nagar slums as neighbours watched yesterday.

The bitter fight over custody of Rubina - who was abandoned as a baby by her mother and raised by father Rafiq Qureshi and stepmother Munni - started after reports that Qureshi tried to ‘sell’ his daughter.

Qureshi was arrested over allegations that he offered to trade the nine-year-old for £200,000 in an illegal adoption deal. He denies this and insists he is being framed.

Holding the girl’s stepmother by the scruff of the neck and repeatedly slapping her, Rubina's mother Khushi screamed: 'You treacherous b*tch, give my daughter back.'

Neighbours said Khushi had rushed to grab her share of the money her ex-husband was about to make, after allegations he had agreed to sell Rubina appeared in the News of the World.

Catfight: Rubina Alia's biological mother Khushi (right) attacks her stepmother Munni (left)
in a row over reports her father had tried to sell her

Row: The women grapple in the street, seemingly unaware of their audience

Aghast: Rubina (centre) watches the argument unfold alongside her grandmother (dressed in a yellow sari)

Heated: Rubina's biological mother is said to have abandoned her as a baby

Squalor: Rubina in the slums where her home is a hut

The fight was the second between the two women, who first came to blows after Rubina returned from the Oscars.

Khushi said: 'My husband must have hidden Rubina. I am sure that they want to sell my daughter. They want to bank on her stardom, and that's why they wanted her custody.’

After seeing Munni talking to reporters, Khushi launched a verbal attack, accusing Munni of using black magic to control Rubina.
As neighbours rushed to break up the catfight, an outnumbered Khushi grabbed a wooden stick and again attacked her rival.

With tears rolling down her face, Rubina's stepmother said: 'Khushi has been after Rubina since the time she went to the Oscars. For seven years before that, she didn't care.

'Why would we sell Rubina? She is her father's favourite. I love Khushi's children more than she would have loved them.'

Following the fight, Qureshi said: 'As far as Khushi is concerned, she left Rubina when she was two years old. Why should we give her custody now? The children are happy with us.

‘These reports are not true. I went to the hotel to shoot an ad film. I would never sell my daughter.’

Rubina played the young heroine Letika in the movie, which has grossed £185million worldwide and swept the board at the Oscars.

It had been hoped that the film's success would transform Rubina's life.

But her father and an uncle were said to have claimed that they are being forced to put her up for sale because the family has not received enough of the proceeds.
They were accused of using her fame as a bargaining tool to push up the price they can get for her - first asking £50,000 and later quadrupling the amount.

The uncle, Moihuddin Qureshi, was said to have told an undercover reporter: 'The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child.'

The claims were made following a 'sting' operation by the News of the World, which said it had been alerted that the child was for sale in a tip-off from a former family neighbour.

It was reported that the little girl, her father and uncles all went to a hotel to meet the 'prospective buyers', supposedly a family from Dubai, to discuss the deal in detail.
source

'Loving': Rafiq with daughter Rubina. Her father has angrily denied that he is trying to sell her

A source close to the family told the Daily Mail: 'Rafiq was told to bring Rubina to the hotel, where a rich man wanted to discuss a job with him.

'He happily agreed because Rubina can earn good money since her Slumdog success. She has had many movie offers. Rafiq didn't understand everything that was being said to him but he was happy to discuss money for a well-paying job for his daughter. He loves her like any father loves his daughter.

According to the News of the World, Mr Qureshi is desperate to make the most of his daughter's success and get them out of their hut in the Mumbai slum known as Poor Man's Colony.

It claimed he had already been approached by a family from Dubai, but was hoping to start a bidding war.

Rafiq allegedly directed a reporter to his brother-in-law Rajan More, who said: 'Rubina's life is miserable. Obviously if you wanted to adopt, we could discuss this, but her parents would expect some proper compensation return. We are talking around £50,000 for this to happen.'

Later Rafiq added: 'Whatever money you have agreed with Rajan, I will accept. There is a lot of interest in Rubina - she has become very famous.'
Trafficking of poor children from across the Asian subcontinent has become an increasing problem.

Some are sold to the Middle East where they are forced to risk their lives as camel jockeys or subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse.
The shack that Rubina calls home is yards from an open sewer. There was an outcry after pictures emerged of her and co-star Azharuddin Mohammed, who played the young Salim, living in squalor despite the film's success.
Both families have consistently complained that the filmmakers have abandoned them to their fate.

Producer Christian Colson told the Daily Mail last night: 'We have friends and colleagues in Bombay who are trying to speak with Mr Qureshi to get to the bottom of what happened. Her family is under a lot of pressure.'

Riches to rags: Rubina's family are said to be angry they still live in poverty despite the film's global success

He and director Danny Boyle are planning next month to visit the young stars, who were plucked off the street for auditions to star in the film.

Mr Colson added: 'Danny and I are committed to Rubina and Azharuddin for the long term. We are trying to keep a roof over their heads, and keep them in school until they are 18. The problem is there are a lot of parties who are telling the parents different things.

'We agreed to buy apartments a couple of months ago but that process stalled because they decided they wanted the money up front instead.

The film makers have set up a trust to give a lump sum to each child when they are 18.

Properties will also be placed in trust, with ownership released to the parents only when the children turn 18 and have completed their education.

Mr Colson added: 'We can't buy the properties outright and give them to them, because in all honesty they will sell them.'

Oscar success: Rubina (centre) with the other young stars of the award-winning flim

Mom confirms 'Slumdog' stars are dating

"Freida is really beautiful, and I am really happy for them," Dev Patel's mother gushes

It's confirmed: "Slumdog Millionaire" costars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are an item.

Days after Patel, 19, and Pinto, 24, were photographed having a romantic lunch at an Israeli cafe on Wednesday, Patel's mother confirms they're together.

"First it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place," Mrs. Patel is quoted as saying in Monday's Daily Mirror.

"Life can't get any better for him," she adds. "Freida is really beautiful, and I am really happy for them."

Asked about her son's trip to visit Pinto (who is shooting the Julian Schnabel drama "Miral" in Jerusalem), she says, "Yes, we knew he was flying to Israel to see her."

During the trip, Patel and Pinto were spotted packing on the PDA in Tel Aviv, where they strolled around the harbor and enjoyed a champagne dinner at a seaside restaurant.

Both Patel and Pinto denied dating rumors earlier this year while they promoted "Slumdog Millionaire," which won the Oscar for Best Picture.

"No, no, no," Patel told Ryan Seacrest at the Academy Awards.

source

Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, child star of the hit movie 'Slumdog Millionaire,' right, looks through a video camera, as his father Mohammed Ismail Sheikh poses for him, while Azharuddin's mother Shamim Bano, second left, and others look on outside their home in Mumbai, India, Monday, April 27, 2009. Eight Oscars and US$326 million in box office receipts have so far done little to change the lives of the film's two impoverished child stars. Rubina Ali and co-star Azharuddin still live in the same wretched slum they were born to, despite multiple offers of new houses and scholarships.

is a good thing dat bie look like his mommy

Chams...u sooo rite...he got his looks fm his mom...lard dat fadda rale ugly in dis pic...

RQ, when i look at his dad, it think of sai scamp baba...methinks dat all a dem dat are decendants of the 'escapees' who fled when the ship docked in india to pick up indentured servants

quote:

Originally posted by chameli:
RQ, when i look at his dad, it think of sai scamp baba...methinks dat all a dem dat are decendants of the 'escapees' who fled when the ship docked in india to pick up indentured servants

actually.. sai nat bad looking...he look arite...compared to this fadda...dem rale crooks...tek deh kid money..spend on himself...tek money fm reporter to talk wid deh kid...dats y he beat deh poe bai...

Trust finding 'Slumdog' kids new homes

MUMBAI, May 23 (UPI) -- The Jai Ho Trust says it will be providing homes for Indian child actors Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubina Ali, who appeared in "Slumdog Millionaire."

Jai Ho trustee Neerja Mattoo said the trust, which has the support of "Millionaire" director Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson, will offer the two child actors homes in the wake of the demolition of their shanty homes in Mumbai, Bollywood News said Saturday.

The homes where Ismail and Ali were staying in the Mumbai neighborhood of Bandra was demolished two weeks ago, leaving the young "Slumdog" stars in desperate search for new homes.

The Jai Ho Trust has already found a new home for the family of Ismail, who played a young Salim Malik in the hit 2008 film.

Bollywood News said the trust is still searching for a home for the family of Ali, who portrayed a young Latika in the Oscar-winning film.

Slumdog kids given new homes


Film director Danny Boyle chats to Azhar-uddin Ismail

Two child actors from Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire are being given new homes after their shacks were pulled down.
Azharuddin Ismail has been provided with a flat from the trust set up to oversee their welfare, while a place would be 'found soon' for Rubina Ali.

The children's families were left homeless after authorities destroyed their shanty town in Mumbai.

Film director Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson flew to the city after pictures of the youngsters picking through debris were splashed across the media.

Smiling and hugging the children, Boyle said a home had been bought for Ismail, nine, who played the character of Salim.

He added a place would be found for Ali, also nine, who played young Latika in the rags-to-riches film about a poor Indian boy competing in a TV game show.

The British director, who came under fire for not doing enough for the children, blamed the media for raising the families' expectations.

'Inevitably, the tension and pressure is media generated,' he said.

'They were given access to a world, an extraordinary and glamorous world, and they understandably want their lives to be completely transformed.

'The homes are a concern. That's a reason why we built the trust,' he added.

The Jai Ho trust, named after the film's award-winning track, is meant to pay for the education and living costs of Ismail and Ali until they turn 18.

A trust director said Ismail's apartment was 'comfortable, in a good neighbourhood near his school'.

Earlier, Ali's father, Rafik Qureshi, criticised their lack of housing: 'The kids have done such a good job. They haven't got anything.'

New homes pledged for Slumdog stars

Danny Boyle has promised new homes to two of the young stars of his Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.
Rubina Ali, nine, and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, found themselves homeless after city authorities tore down parts of their Mumbai slum.

Boyle, the movie's director, and the film's producer Christian Colson have now met their families to tell them they will soon have new homes.

"We've been trying for a long time to move them into legal accommodation," Boyle told reporters in Mumbai, where he and Colson met the children and their families.

"Both (homes) initially rented and eventually bought by the trust and held by the trust so it's perfectly safe and long-term."

Boyle and Colson set up the Jai Ho Trust to ensure that Rubina and Azhar received a proper education, were well-housed and given support in coping with media attention.

But although Boyle was photographed hugging the delighted-looking children at the meeting at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Rubina's father Rafiq Qureshi stormed out, complaining the filmmakers had not done enough.

"It's no big deal for them, this kind of money. It's been five or six months we've been living in such difficulty," he said. "After the Oscars they forgot about us. For two months we didn't get any money."

Nirja Mattoo, who helps oversee the children's trust, said a new home had now been found for Azharuddin's family. "We are finalising the deal. Next week it should be done," she said, adding that the search for a home for Rubina continued.

Slumdog children to get new homes

The Slumdog Millionaire child actors who lost their shanty shelters during a civic demolition drive in Mumbai are set to get new homes.
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubina Ali Qureshi - who played the young Salim and Latika in Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning film - have been moving from one shanty home to the next since their original ones were torn down.

But housing authorities have promised that the children will be moved before the monsoons lash the state next month, the Deccan Herald newspaper said.

The makeshift house that Azharuddin, 10, lived in was pulled down by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on May 16, while nine-year-old Rubina's home was demolished by railway authorities four days later.

Azharuddin's father Ismail Mohammed previously said: "We cannot live like this under the threat of demolition. We have been told that we may be getting a free flat sometime, but we need it now."

This is not the first time the child actors have been forced on the streets after authorities pulled down their houses. Civic action in March had rendered them homeless but, as is usual in many slums across the country, the residents simply erect new structures elsewhere.

The Jai Ho trust, which has the support of Slumdog director Boyle and producer Christian Colson, have also offered to find homes for the two child actors and their families.

Danny Boyle meets with Slumdog kids

Danny Boyle met with two of the child stars of his film Slumdog Millionaire during a trip to Mumbai.
The director and producer Christian Colson met with nine-year-old Rubina Ali and 10-year-old Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who both recently lost their homes after city authorities bulldozed parts of their slum - and reassured them they'll soon have new homes.

"We've been trying for a long time to move them into legal accommodation," the director told reporters at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, where he and Colson met the children and their families.

The filmmakers have already set up a trust aimed at ensuring the children get proper homes, a decent education, a monthly stipend and a nest egg when they finish high school.

They've pledged to spend up to 100,000 dollars to buy the two families new apartments and have donated 747,500 dollars to a charity to help slum children across Mumbai.

Colson has described the trust as substantial, but won't tell anyone how much it contains for fear of making the youngsters vulnerable to exploitation.

Nirja Mattoo, who helps oversee the children's trust, said a new home has been found for Azhar's family. "We are finalising the deal. Next week it should be done," she said.

The hunt for Rubina's house continues, she added.

Rubina's father Rafiq Qureshi stormed out of the meeting and said the filmmakers have not done enough to help. Mattoo declined to comment on Qureshi.

Trust buys home for Slumdog child star Ismail

The trust set up to take care of the child stars of the movie Slumdog Millionaire has bought a home for the family of 10-year-old Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail.

The purchase of the 250-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment in Mumbai was completed Monday, according to Nirja Mattoo, who oversees the Jai Ho Trust.

Azharuddin's home in a Mumbai slum was demolished last month. Azharuddin played the youngest incarnation of Salim Malik, brother of the main character, in the hit film.

His family, who are currently living in a corrugated iron hut in the Gareeb Nagar slum in central Mumbai, will get the keys by Thursday, Mattoo said.

The trust is now looking for a home for Rubina Ali, the nine-year-old who played the role of a young Latika in the movie, Mattoo said. Her shanty home was also demolished.

The makers of Slumdog Millionaire set up the trust to pay for the children's education and ensure their welfare. Both were plucked from a Mumbai slum to star in the film.

The trust plans to hold ownership of the apartments for the child stars until they reach age 18 and complete their education.

After their shanty homes were destroyed, the government had promised to relocate the families of the child stars. However, the families resisted, saying the government apartments offered to them were too far from their old neighbours and schools.

Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, child star of the hit movie Slumdog Millionaire, right, argues with his mother, Shameem Ismail, as his father, Mohammed Ismail Sheikh, lies sleeping at their home in Mumbai in April.
The family is getting a new apartment. (Gautam Singh/Associated Press)