Azharuddin Ismail, 10, who was plucked from the Indian city's slums by the director Danny Boyle to play Salim in the Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, was left in tears after workmen arrived unannounced and pulled down the shanty dwelling, which was built illegally on a council garden.
His family was left huddling around the few possessions that they had time to stuff into plastic bags before the corrugated iron structure was demolished.
Azharuddin held his prized possession, a ripped promotional poster for Slumdog Millionaire on which Danny Boyle had written: "Azhar, With love and thanks, Danny Boyle x".
"A policeman woke us all up early this morning, shouting," he said. "He threatened me with a bamboo stick - I was very scared. I wish Danny-uncle would come. I wish I could go back to America. I don't know what will happen now. We are just sitting here in the blazing sun. A lot of our possessions have been destroyed."
His mother, Shameem Ismail, said they had no prior warning of the demolition. "We didn't even get a chance to remove our belongings," she said.
"We are now left with no roof over our head tonight and the monsoon will begin in a few weeks. We have lived here for 15 years. I don't know what we will do next. We are not now asking for a house or money. All we need is some space and we will survive."
A spokesman for Mumbai's city council defended the demolition, pointing out that the slums are illegal constructions.
As you know, his co-star, Rubina Ali is up for sale.
source
2 comments:
This is a shame. These actors were exploited to the point that it's a sin for his family to have to go through this, when their child is a main character in a movie grossing millions hand over fist ...evil! They shouldn't still be living in the slums. At least a little house in the suburbs. This is rediculous!
This is a shame. These actors were exploited to the point that it's a sin for his family to have to go through this, when their child is a main character in a movie grossing millions hand over fist ...evil! They shouldn't still be living in the slums. At least a little house in the suburbs. This is rediculous!
Post a Comment