A year later – where are the Slumdog children?

It’s been a year since Slumdog Millionaire swept the Academy Awards.

After the Oscars last year, Rubina Ali, came home to a heroine’s welcome. There was dancing and singing in the streets of Mumbai.

Since then she’s authored a biography, appeared in fashion shows, and filmed Commercials.

“I can’t believe it’s been a year since the Oscars”, says the 11-year-old star of “Slumdog Millionaire”.

Rubina now studies at an English medium school. The Jai Ho Trust set up by Danny Boyle, the movie’s director, pays the fees.

Home for Rubina, however, is still the slum.

Authorities demolished the illegal shanty twice over the last year. Each time, her family rebuilt their one room home.

The trust promised us a home, says her father. But their budget is too low or they don’t act quickly enough, he says. They don’t care, he adds.

Across the road another child star who lived here has moved on.

Azharuddin Ismail and his family now live in a one room apartment in a middle Class suburb.

“I have a TV, a CD player, fridge, cupboard. And gas,” says Azharuddin.

The best part, he says, is people throw garbage in bins here, not just anywhere they feel like.

We’re comfortable now, says his mother. It’s thanks to allah.

Both the children get around $140 from the trust each month. If they stay in school until they are 18, they’ll get a lump sum.

Azhar attends the same school as Rubina.

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