Slumdog Millionaire child star Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and his family have finally been moved into a new apartment! This comes after months of promises from everyone involved in the film and the Jai Ho Trust that was set up to protect the children. It also comes after both Azharuddin and Rubina Ali’s slum homes were destroyed by the Indian government. Although Rubina and her family have not been moved into a new apartment yet, one of Jai Ho trustees assured the media that finding her family an apartment was at the top of their list. Personally, I think director Danny Boyle’s visit to Mumbai two weeks ago had a lot to do with it – I think he must have come in and busted some heads, making sure that the kids got new homes quickly.
The makers of the hit movie “Slumdog Millionaire” have bought a new home for one of the two child stars discovered in Mumbai’s slums.
The purchase of a 250-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment for the family of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, was completed Monday, said Nirja Mattoo, who helps oversee a trust set up by the filmmakers to help Azharuddin and his 9-year-old co-star Rubina Ali.
“They can move in,” Mattoo told The Associated Press Wednesday, adding that the trust plans to deliver the keys Thursday.
Both children lost their homes last month when authorities demolished parts of their slum.
Mattoo said the trust is actively looking for a new home for Rubina.
Ownership of the first apartment, which cost about 2.5 million rupees ($50,000) will be transferred from the trust to Azharuddin when he turns 18, provided he completes school, Mattoo said.
“He has to complete an education. We are very clear about that,” she said. She declined to say what would happen to the property if he does not finish school.
The apartment is located in Santa Cruz West, a suburb of Mumbai just north of the slum where the two children now live.
The government has promised to give both of them new apartments, but the families have resisted, saying the government flats are too far away from their neighbors and school.
[From The Associated Press]
A one-bedroom apartment? Granted, it’s better than nothing. And better than a now-destroyed slum shack. But perhaps a two-bedroom apartment? I’m not trying to be nit-picky, I swear. This a family of four – one bedroom for the parents, one bedroom for Azharuddin Mohammed and his brother Irfan.
Also – I love that there’s an area in Mumbai known as “Santa Cruz West”. What, was the suburb originally developed for the San Fernando valley? And they just said, “Screw it, let’s take this community development project to Mumbai – but keep the name!”
Kaiser, I thought the same thing when I read the opening tittle. I hate to nit-pick in this case as well, but a ONE bedroom? I don’t understand why they weren’t supplied a house given how much money the movie made.
It amazes me how Celebrities can give very expensive gifts like, high end cars, accessories etc to other celebrities who can actually afford them, and yet these kids are like an afterthought. Sort of like “Oh well, we’ll toss a one bedroom apartment to you. Enjoy!”.
I don’t know. ANything is better than the shanty they lived in before and anything beats being homeless, but still. I feel these kids are short changed.
I thought the same thing…the money that this movie made and this is the best they can do for these children! Mind you it is better then what they had, but the film made MILLIONS and MILLIONS more – the cost of living Mumbia isn’t that expensive.
They’ve been given a 15×15 room and it cost $50,000!
And don’t forget that their own government promised to rehouse them also.
Building one-bedroom apartments designed to house families is idiotic full stop – imagine all the other families buying or renting one in the same complex, possibly with more children. But they’ve not been in a film, so they don’t matter I suppose.
I don’t know the geography of Mumbai at all, but perhaps the areas where individual houses are being built are even further away than the government flats? And I wonder exactly how easy it would be to buy a house for them in certain areas – maybe they’re famous, but they’re still from the slums and there is a chance that people in various neighbourhoods still don’t want them moving in – NIMBYism at it’s finest.
I’m not sure what the American equivalent is – but for example in Britain or Ireland, there can be a strong resistance to Travellers occupying houses in some areas/estates – same thing for gypsies in other countries in Europe.
Agreed.
It’s taken them this long to establish housing and it’s a frigging 1br?? My boyfriend and I are searching for a 2br! And there’s only 2.5 of us (the dog counts!)
You are talking about finding a house in Mumbai, India. Even stars live in apartments there (or paying guests). Houses are a rarity. These are just child stars and I do think even single bedroom flat in Mumbai is a big deal. The life there is not the same as USA. Most regular middle class families live in 1-2 bedroom house regardless of how many people are there in family. I have lived in Mumbai so know what I am talking about. I think its awesome that these kids are getting the housing they were promised.
Good job on following up on this, and I hope you continue as more comes out.
My mouth almost fell open when I read the square footage, but I figured I’d wait until someone that’s been there posts about the size. And Jammy explained things nicely, thanks.
Is the movie company also paying for those kids’ education too?
Well I believe it was the girl’s father that was stirring up most of the trouble. Maybe instead of complaining they weren’t given enough after the first offer of a home, they should be using the girl’s fame to see if they can get her in another movie. I know if I were that girl, I’d sure want to be in another movie, instead of homeless after the excitement of being in the first movie.
western people want and need bedrooms to themselves, people in more densely populated countries find sharing rooms the norm, shut up about what you don’t know about Kaiser
🙂