“Slumdog Millionaire” Child Star Homeless After City Demolishes Shack
Are we the only ones beginning to think there’s a curse on the kids of Slumdog Millionaire?
On Thursday, city workers bulldozed the home of a Slumdog Millionaire child star as part of the demolition of dozens of shanties — illegally built homes — in a Mumbai slum.
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail was asleep when a police officer woke him up and told him to leave his family’s home, he said. Shortly after that, the shack and about 30 more were destroyed.
“A police officer took a bamboo stick to hit me, and I was frightened,” said 10-year-old Azhar.
Authorities say his family will be given a new home elsewhere.
Azharuddin played the youngest version of Salim, the brother of the main character Jamal, in the Oscar-winning film. The filmmakers say they’ve done their best to help the young stars. They set up a trust, called Jai Ho, after the hit song from the film, to ensure the children are able to purchase homes and receive a good education once they finish high school.
They also donated $747,500 to a charity to help slum kids in Mumbai.
That’s all well and good, but why are these kids still living in those deplorable conditions? Can’t the stars and producers of this Oscar-winning film do something more to help these children live better now?
Written by Castina on May 14th, 2009 | Tagged as: Popular Culture
On May 14th 2009, andy wrote:
The children in the movie helped make the movie a big success. They deserve better. The stars producers and studio should get together and buy each childs family a small home. This would cost no more then ten grand or so. Things are very very cheap in India.
On May 18th 2009, tonja hilton wrote:
I AM SO SAD AND HURT TO FIND THAT THESE CHILDREN WERE NOT PAID PROPERLY AS THE FINE ACTORS THEY WERE. THEY DID WORK ENOUGH TO HAVE "NEW" PROPER HOMES PURCHASED FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE USINGTHESE POOR PEOPLE, BUT HELPING THEM…..SO WHERE IS THE HELP. HOLLYWOOD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THIS
On May 18th 2009, tonja hilton wrote:
HELP THOSE CHILDREN WHO MADE YOU SO MUCH MONEY. WHERE IS YOUR HEART AND HOW COULD YOU USE THEM WITHOUT HELPING TO 'BETTER' THEIR LIVES AS THEY DID YOURS IN HOLLYWOOD……………………………
On May 18th 2009, tonja hilton wrote:
FELL ASHAMED?????? YOU SURE AS HELL SHOULD MR. PRODUCER
On May 18th 2009, tonja hilton wrote:
USERS….USERS,,,,,IS THAT HOW YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?????BUY THOSE CHILDREN "PROPER HOMES" THEY PUT ALOT IN YOUR POCKET