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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Meet the Real Slumdog Millionaire

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(Newser) – Slumdog Millionaire is a hot topic of conversation in India, where it’s alternately viewed with pride and scorn, and few have a more interesting perspective on it than Harshvardhan Nawathe—the real slumdog millionaire. Nawathe is the only person to ever win it all on India’s version of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?—a feat that earned him fleeting national fame.

Though his family wasn’t well off, Nawathe never lived in the slums. But he does know them well, because now, that’s his job. Sick of being idly rich, Nawathe has become deputy general manager of a foundation helping India’s poorest children. Few in India know that part of his story, because poverty is taboo—which is also why Slumdog is so controversial. Nawathe didn’t mind the film, but he thinks it’s pretty unrealistic.

"Slumdog Millionaire" child actor Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail looks up as somebody takes his photo in his home in a slum in suburban Mumbai, India, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gautam Singh)
In this image released by Fox Searchlight pictures, Dev Patel, left, and Freida Pinto are shown in a scene from
In this image released by Fox Searchlight pictures, Dev Patel, left, and Freida Pinto are shown in a scene from "Slumdog Millionaire."   (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Ishika Mohan)
Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan speaks after receiving the Cristal Award during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Bachchan was the host of the quiz show Nawathe won.
Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan speaks after receiving the Cristal Award during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Bachchan was the host of the quiz show Nawathe won.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
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2 comments
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anchower
Mar 24, 09 12:15 AM CDT
Good for this guy. And everlasting shame on Danny Boyle. Reply
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Forderon
Mar 25, 09 9:23 PM CDT
You've been going around posting the same Boyle hate comments for months now. Please explain what you don't understand about all the stories that say he and his production company are providing these kids with a monthly stipend, education, and a trust fund? Reply
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