The excitement was palpable in Garib Nagar near Bandra station that are home to the little stars, Azharuddin Mohammad Ismail and Rubina Ali.
The excitement was palpable in Garib Nagar, the slums near Bandra station that are home to the little stars of Slumdog Millionaire, Azharuddin Mohammad Ismail and Rubina Ali.
Early on Monday, a large number of families gathered in front of TV sets to watch the children walk the red carpet. And they had no words to express their joy and pride.
Rubina’s father Rafique Qureshi woke up at 5am and went to his brother’s house to watch the ceremony on a big LCD screen. His brother, who accompanied Rubina (the youngest Latika) to Los Angeles, had bought the set three months ago.
“We were up early,” Qureshi said. “We have been praying that the film wins and I feel my prayers have been answered.” The entire neighbourhood was abuzz, with children running around yelling Jai ho.
Neighbours had hired a disc jockey to play Slumdog songs to celebrate the film’s success. Smoke billowed from the neighbourhood as firecrackers went off and sweets were exchanged.
“We are very proud of her,” said Rubina’s aunt Dilshad Khan.
Qureshi said the locality was eagerly awaiting Rubina’s return. “I will give her whatever she asks for,” he said. Will he allow her to act in films? “Yes,” he said, “but after she completes her education.”
There was jubilation at 10-year-old Azhar’s home too. Most of his family members were glued to a common TV set in the locality since early morning. “My wife has gone with my son to Los Angeles,” said father Mohammad Ismail, who is afflicted with tuberculosis. “Azhar [the youngest Ismail] has made us all very proud.”
The family barely earns two square meals a day. “We have no money,” said Ismail.
While Azhar and Rubina made it to the red carpet at the Kodak Theatre, other slum kids who played small parts in Slumdog were not so lucky. But they weren’t complaining. Mohammad Wasim, 10, said they all loved going for shoots.
“We even shot during Ramadan,” he said.
His mother Reshma Ansari said most of the children in Slumdog missed school for two months. “But it was well worth it,” she said. “We are happy that our area and children have become so popular.”
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