Slumdog child-stars get real homes

In February, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was the toast of LA. But since the limelight moved on, the treatment allotted to some of its stars has been nothing short of horrendous.

The movie, which cost a mere $14-million to make, has so far earned Fox $326-million and eight Oscars.Yet two of the stars – who were already surviving in homes made of canvas — have lost even that after bulldozers removed it to build a new station.

And the people at Fox just sat back and watched.

Nine-year old Rubina Ali [she played 'Latika',] and 10-year old, Azharuddin Ismali [the young Salim,] were reportedly in tears as a wrecking crew recently leveled their plastic-sheet ‘homes’ to make room for the station. “I have seen their homes being knocked down and that upset me a great deal.” says Danny Boyle, the movie’s director. “But it’s only now that the trust has been able to enact a workable plan.”

The ‘Jai Ho’ trust Danny mentioned pays the two stars a risible pittance, but Fox have announced they were “proud” of the treatment the two actors received, “For 30 days work they were paid three times the annual salary,” a spokesman for Fox Searchlight told the press.

Anil Kapoor [game-show host, Prem Kumar,] donated all of his fee to help children in the Indian town of Mumbai, where the movie was set. But Fox have done almost nothing but talk.

After international outrage at this cold-hearted treatment, and the dogged persistence of Mr. Boyle, an apartment has just been secured by Fox for each of these stars – so they finally have a real home. Danny also donated $745,000 to a charity that helps the thousands children just like them, who live in similar hardship all over India.

At least someone at Fox has a heart.

Source: Radar