Slumdog Millionaire Child Artists Paid Less Money : Says Poor Parents

The parents of the child actors whose acting skills helped “Slumdog Millionaire” win Oscar nominations and millions in gate receipts have said they were underpaid by the film’s makers.

The parents of Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, who live along railway tracks in Bandra, Mumbai, have accused the film’s producers of exploiting and underpaying the eight-year-olds. They said Rubina, who played Latika, was paid 500 pounds for a year’s work while Azharuddin, who acted as Salim, received 1,700 pounds.

The British newspaper said they were paid “considerably less” than the poor Afghan child stars of “The Kite Runner”, who embarrassed their Hollywood producers when they disclosed that they had been paid 9,000 pounds.

“There is none of the money left. It was all spent on medicines to help me fight TB,” said Azharuddin’s father, Mohammed Ismail.

“We feel that the kids have been left behind by the film. They have told us there is a trust fund but we know nothing about it and have no guarantees.”

Rubina’s father Rafiq Ali Kureshi, a carpenter who has been out of work since breaking his leg during filming, said: “I am very happy the movie is doing so well, but it is making so much money and so much fame and the money they paid us is nothing.

“They should pay more. I have no regrets. I just had no knowledge of what she should have been paid.”

Rubina told “I want to be a star like Freida (Pinto). I am going to ask Danny-uncle (director Danny Boyle) to take me to London and be in more films.” Source