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Slumdog children find new homes

Slumdog Millionaire - Members of the cast at the Oscars
Slumdog Millionaire - Members of the cast at the Oscars

Two child actors from the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' will be moved from slums to new houses by Indian authorities.

Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, who played young versions of the two main characters, were discovered by casting agents in Mumbai's Garib Nagar slum.

There was an outcry when it was discovered they were still living in the slum after the success of the Oscar-winning film.

Local housing association chairman Amarjeet Singh Manhas said: "Since the children have made the nation proud, they must be given free houses."

Rubina, nine, is currently living with her family in a one room shack while 10-year-old Azharuddin's family home, located under a tarpaulin by a busy road, was recently demolished.

The boy's father, Mohammed, who suffers from tuberculosis, told The Times of India: "We have barely got any money from the film-makers. In fact, whatever came, has already been spent.

"This decision is a piece of good news for us.''

The two children were paid above local wages for their work on the film and director Danny Boyle has strongly denied charges of exploitation.

The film-makers also promised to provide bricks and mortar housing for the two families before authorities stepped in with their offer.

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