Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Director Buys Apartment for Slumdog Kid

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2009 11:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – The makers of Slumdog Millionaire have bought a home for one of the film’s Indian child actors whose real-life shanty was demolished by the Mumbai government, Reuters reports. Azharuddin Ismail is now living in a “comfortable” apartment “in a good neighborhood near his school,” an exec from the fund established by director Danny Boyle said. It plans to do the same for another young star in a similar situation.

“The homes are a concern,” Boyle said. “That is one of the reasons why we built the trust.” The director rushed to Mumbai after photos of the young actors and their demolished residences became public. The fund is committed to caring for them. “We have been trying to accelerate the process of re-housing the families,” said producer Christian Colson. “One of the reasons we set up the trust is to deal with emergencies like this.”

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

"Slumdog" actress Rubina Ali stands inside her house as it is demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai, India. (AP Photo)

"Slumdog Millionaire" child star Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, center, sits amid the remains of his demolished home. (AP Photo)

"Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle plays with the film's child star Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail,10, left as the other child star Rubina Ali, 9, right, stands by at a press conference in Mumbai. (AP Photo)

Danny Boylewith Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Inevitably, the tension and pressure is media generated. They were given access to a world, an extraordinary and glamorous world, and they understandably want their lives to be completely transformed. - Danny Boyle

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Second Slumdog Kid's Home Torn Down

Ali's father beaten by police in demolition

(AP) - The shanty home of another Slumdog Millionaire child star was torn down by Mumbai authorities today as they demolished part of a city slum where she lived. The stepmother of 9-year-old Rubina Ali, who portrayed a young Latika, the Oscar-winning film's heroine, said her husband was beaten by police who were supervising the demolition. She said he was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. More»

Slumdog Star Loses All in Fire

Rubina Ali homeless again after blaze in Mumbai slum

(NEWSER) - Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina Ali is out on the street after a blaze ripped through her Mumbai slum today. "It's all gone. Even my best clothes, everything," Rubina tearfully told the AP via phone; the 12-year-old also lost her awards, clippings, and photos from the Oscar-winning flick. "We just grabbed what we could and dashed out. The fire spread so fast we couldn't get back in," says Rafiq Ali, her father. Some 2000 people were also left homeless. More»

Slumdog Star's 'Illegal' Home Demolished

Family had lived there 15 years

(NEWSER) - Mumbai officials tore down the home of Slumdog Millionaire child star Azharuddin Ismail, calling the slum dwelling illegal construction. Ismail’s mother says the family lived there 15 years before police arrived unannounced. “We didn’t even get a chance to remove our belongings,” she tells the Telegraph. The government had promised them a new home after Ismail returned from the Oscars a hero. More»

Dad Wants to Sell Slumdog Child Star

Rubina Ali's dad asks for $300k to adopt 9-year-old

(NEWSER) - The family of Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina Ali really is stuck in the slums of Mumbai, and her father may be trying to trade her in for his ticket out, the News of the World reports. The tab contacted Rafiq Qureshi, posing as a rich Dubai couple interested in adopting Rubina, after hearing that Qureshi had offered to sell her. More»

Slumdog Makers Give $740K to Educate Poor

Fun intended to hush critics who call film 'poverty porn'

(NEWSER) - To combat accusations that Oscar sensation Slumdog Millionaire is a form of “poverty porn,” the filmmakers have donated about $740,000 toward a health education initiative in Mumbai’s slums, the Times of London reports. The funds are in addition to trusts set up for the movie’s child actors. “Some but not all” who gained from Slumdog’s $90 million profit contributed, the producer says. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website