Just like in the movies: slum kids start Oscar journey

New Delhi: Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail have never boarded a plane, but the flight the children of a Mumbai slum take on Thursday will take them to one of the glitziest ceremonies in the world: the Oscars.

The lives of the two children took a fairytale spin when they starred in the film Slumdog Millionaire, which has bagged 10 nominations at the 81st Academy Awards.

On Thursday, they will fly off to walk the red carpet and rub shoulders with the who's who of Hollywood at the Oscars.

"I think we will win all the awards. We will win 10 out of 10," Azharuddin, 10, who essayed the role of a young Salim, the protagonist's brother, told a news channel.

Rubina, 9, who played young Latika, added: "I don't know anything now. I will see what happens there."

Just a few days back, their dream to attend one of the most glamorous events of the world was jeopardised by their poverty stricken life. Their parents were not keen on sending them to the Oscars and instead wanted the plane fare to be utilised for other necessities.

However, after a change of plan, Rubina will be escorted by her uncle and Azharuddin will be accompanied by his mother to the event.

"I was thinking that I would love to go but never thought this will come true through Rubina," said Rubina's uncle.

Rubina and Azharuddin come from stark, dingy by-lanes of a Mumbai slum and just a few days ago could only dreamt of living a comfortable life. They have with ailing parents and hardly any money for survival, but today they have been catapulted to celebrity status not only in their locality but also in the entire world.

Their dreams have changed too. Rubina and Azharuddin now want to become actors even though they continue to live in their makeshift homes in a slum in the Bandra neighbourhood. Thanks to the film’s director Danny Boyle, they are also going to a proper school and might move into better houses soon.

For these two, a life out of the slum will be a long journey encompassing hardships, but with this opportunity they will get to enjoy the best of the world.

Another kid, Mozhim Shakim Sheikh Qureshi, who played a cripple in the movie, however, was not as lucky as his friends. The 13-year-old got injured while jumping off a train. His left arm is badly damaged and will take at least a month for him to recover.