Rubina will get to act in another Danny Boyle film, but she will not get any more money. Nor will Azhar be ‘gifted’ a small car by ‘Danny uncle’.
The Slumdog Millionaire director told his favourite child stars on Thursday that they should not expect any more money, or gifts, from the Jai Ho trust. It has already provided them with the maximum they deserve, he said.
During his meeting with the trustees and Rubina’s family at JW Mariott, Boyle supported a motion, which stated that the grant of Rs25 lakh given to Rubina will be passed on to another charity if her family fails to buy an apartment for her by January 2010.
“Boyle has agreed with us that the grants for Azhar and Rubina, or any other child actor supported by the trust, cannot be increased further. He too feels that Rubina does not deserve any more than the Rs 25 lakh given to her to buy an apartment in Mumbai,” said Noshir H Dadrawala, a member of the Jai Ho trust.
Azhar’s demand of a small car — he had said he was “scared of travelling in auto-rickshaw” — too was rejected. “The trust is providing a daily allowance to the children. It includes travelling allowance. There is no question of increasing that,” Dadrawala said.
Boyle said the meeting passed off peacefully. “We spoke in details. I think we have mutually agreed on all the points. They (Rubina and Azhar) are kids, and obviously do not know what is best for them. We have to show them the way,” he said.
The kids, however, did not return empty-handed. Boyle asked the trust to provide them and their families with mediclaim policies — a gift particularly for Rubina, who has just recovered from malaria.
“Danny promised that my daughter will be working with him in his next film. That means a lot to me,” said Rafiq, Rubina’s father. He added he would soon approach chief minister Ashok Chavan for a flat. “I will ask him to help me get a flat of Rs25 lakh.”
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