More bad news regarding the adorable Mumbai kids from the Oscar-winner Slumdog Millionaire. Last year, facing accusations that their child stars were being exploited, Fox Searchlight defended themselves, maintaining that the childrens' education is being provided for and a trust established in their name. A trip to the Oscars and Disney World followed.
Not long after, back in Mumbai, came a shocking new development. The father of Rubina Ali (young Latika) had put his adorable daughter up for adoption to the highest bidder.
Now, city workers have bulldozed the home of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (pictured above with a new bike) as part of the demolition of dozens of shanties in a Mumbai slum. Ismail portrayed young Salim. "A police officer took a bamboo stick to hit me, and I was frightened," said the 10-year-old boy in an interview with the Associated Press.
Filmmaker Danny Boyle certainly can't be held accountable for these sad developments. If anything, the rags-to-riches-to rags care of the Slumdog children brings international attention to poverty and the exploitation of children. Grown-up Slumdog stars Freida Pinto and Dev Patel are faring far better. Pinto has been cast in a Woody Allen film, and Patel is currently filming The Last Airbender, an anime adaptation by M. Night Shyamalan.
Comments
Certainly My Coulsan et all should be held accountable for not giving a fair share to those kids. What kind of world is this now?
Boycott all future projects and products by all associated with this movie until the child actors get their new homes and bank accounts and proper royalty deals. Yes roaylty deals. Why should the others get royalty deals and not these children. Mr. Coulsan give it up. You are all gross unless you make it right now……. BOYCOTT THESE PEOPLE. If it were my project I would not rest until those kids were safe.
Everyone involved in the production of the film should be ashamed of their lack of compassion for these children’s future. I will definitely not support any of those who turned their backs on these children. More should be done to correct his wrong.
I’m inclined to agree with you both. It’s fine to give these children a trust fund and provide for their education, but their lives seem to be in jeopardy right now – and the world is watching…
The story continues: a week later the home of Rubina Ali (Latika) has also been demolished.
“I’m feeling bad,” Rubina told The Associated Press. “My house had been demolished. I’m thinking about where to sleep.”
You have to hope that the makers of Slumdog will provide for these children. We’ll keep you posted.