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 obscene.
The movie, which cost Fox a mere $14-million to make has so far earned them $326-million and eight Oscars. Yet two of the stars – already surviving in homes made of canvas – have lost even that after bulldozers trashed them to build a rail station.
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 begin the construction. “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. And Fox even announced they were “proud” of the treatment these 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 his fee to help children in the Indian town of Mumbai, where the movie is set. But Fox have done almost nothing but talk. Ali and Ismali were flown to the US to be displayed at the Oscars, whisked around Disneyland, then sent right back to India to starve in a tent. And now even that is no more.
After international outrage at this cold-hearted treatment, and the dogged persistence of Mr. Boyle, an apartment has just been secured for each of the stars – so they finally have a real home. Danny also donated $745,000 to a charity that helps thousands of children just like them, who suffer similar hardship all over India.
Is it possible at least someone working at Fox has a heart??
