Slumdog kid actors get ripped off by Hollywood

I guess this should not come as a surprise, but the child actors in Slumdog Millionaire were paid $2,454 (Azhar) and $722 (Rubina). Granted, the budget for the movie was only $15 million, but it made $120 million. They couldn't kick a little bit more to those kids?! They live in a tent in the slums! I sincerely hope people raise a stink and Fox Searchlight chooses to do a little more to help these kids. Read the SF Chronicle story here. http://tinyurl.com/apy5zy

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Comment by TJ on February 24, 2009 at 2:20pm: you really need to do some research before you hang it out to dry - so to speak.

All the kids from the movie have trust funds set up for them. Keeping mom and dad's hands out of the cookie jar...

Comment by Elyse on February 24, 2009 at 8:54pm: TJ, I realize that Fox has set up trust funds for the kids and I probably should have noted that in this post. From what I can see the lead actor has a trust of around 50,000 US that he will receive when he turns 18.

However, the fact of the matter is they are still living in appalling conditions. In fact, they are living in worse conditions now than they were during filming. The figures listed in the post are the only numbers that have come out regarding a dollar amount paid to the kids and they are pathetic.

How long ago did filming wrap? How long do you think that Fox and/or their representatives have known that these kids are still living in squalor? Do you really think if there was not all this Oscar coverage that any additional help would be given to these kids?

I have visited enough 3rd world countries to realize that handing over a large sum of cash to their parents is not the answer, but neither is letting these kids suffer in the slums while the studio makes millions. I really don't think I am incorrect in hanging Fox out to dry on this one. I stand by my statement that these kids are getting ripped off.

Like I said, I think public outcry about their situation, will hopefully ensure that these kids get a break. It looks like it starting to - today a Mumbai housing association announced that they are going to ensure that the kids and their families are provided with a flat.

Comment by TJ on February 24, 2009 at 9:07pm: Let the "Oscar" dust settle and you'll see just how horribly these kids and their families will be treated...

I'd bet their lives are changing dramatically, as we SPEAK.

thing that kinda kills me is...WHERE'S your distaste and uproar for something ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS... that hits closer to home:

Comment by Elyse on February 24, 2009 at 9:10pm: P.S. - I believe the photo above of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail the lead actor was taken about a month ago.

Comment by Elyse on February 24, 2009 at 9:13pm: Dear god in heaven!!! I saw that you posted this somewhere else on here, and you are right... I should save my rants for something more horrific.

Comment by Elyse on February 24, 2009 at 9:14pm: Oh! I should clarify that when I say "the photo above" I am NOT referring to Octomom. LOL

Comment by TJ on February 24, 2009 at 9:17pm: Rumor has it they're "suffering" at DisneyWorld...DAMN THAT MOUSE!

Comment by TJ on February 24, 2009 at 9:25pm: Rumor has it ..aside from OUR tax dollars keeping her in "Anjolie" Wear...someone has ponied up millions of dollars for her already and offered her a million-dollar home to live in for free...

Worst thing we could have done was PAY THIS WOMAN off...

PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID. This woman should have been IGNORED...

and PARDON my french...but this woman is nothing more than a Life Support System for a vagina.

Comment by Elyse on February 24, 2009 at 9:28pm: You are right about that... she should have been ignored. We've created a monster.

Comment by TJ on February 24, 2009 at 9:30pm: Keep this in mind regarding the film too...they didn't start out "making millions" on day one of opening. It's a "building" momentum thing...and trust me...these kids, their families and possibly the city where it was filmed around...will get alot out of it all.

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