The Reality of Slumdog Millionaire's

Escape from India’s slums, or any slums for that matter, may sound as simple as winning the lottery.   Often we find ourselves thinking, “If only I had money…”, thinking that it will solve all our problems, but the reality is far from the dream. In all aspects of international development, money is merely a quick fix and not the save all that it may appear at first glance.

The Oscar touted film Slumdog Millionaire brought international attention to the lives of some 2.5 million children who live in Mumbai, India’s slums.  The film took a total of six young children (Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, Rubina Ali, Ayush Manesh Khedekar, Ashotosh Lobo Gajiwala, Tangi Ganesh Lonkar and Tanay Hermant Chheda) from the slums and overnight made them child actor’s, but the glitz and glamor of Hollywood remains far from reach.  Even the children’s parents hoped the film would be their savior, but fear the empathy for their struggle is only temporary, as stated by; Azharuddin’s mother, Shameem Ismail:

“He’s supposed to be the hero in the movie, but look how he’s living. We need money and help now. It is hard living like this. I am worried that after the Oscars are over they will forget us.” (Herald Sun)

Rubina Ali’s, father Rafiq Ali Kureshi:

“I am very happy the movie is doing so well but it is making so much money and so much fame, and the money they paid us is nothing. They should pay more.” (Herald Sun)

The money and sudden change of life that has befallen these young children has often become their own worst nightmare, and at such young ages and with parents struggling to survive the battle is a long one.  From their friends thinking they are showing off, their extended families looking for money, to not getting their way with ‘their money’ the it is true that the`Slumdog Millionaire’ kid stars face uphill battle.

“If I wear something nice then people say how I’m trying to show off, and I normally don’t talk to them in English,” stated Rubina Ali.

Azhar (Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail) found himself in a tantrum when his mother would not give him money to buy chocolates for friends, he had already bought cake and balloons for his birthday;

“It’s my money and you are using it!” he shouted. “We have 200 rupees,” his mother said. “I’ll give you some later.”…He kept crying…”You’re not giving me money,” he yelled. “You’re spending it on other things.”…His mother grabbed a piece of brick…”Is it your money?” he shouted, daring her: “Hit me. You hit me!”

Scrutiny over the treatment of the film young stars has been at the center of international media attention since the film began. There has also been concerns of the exploitation of the children not only by the films producers, but also buy that of their own families.  Both of which led to the establishment of educational trusts instead of full outright payment for the youngest stars, including,  Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, who played the younger versions of the movie’s central characters, Latika and Salim.  After additional public outcry over images of the two young stars living conditions, the producers purchased Mumbai homes for them and their families, however full ownership to their parents will be held until the children finish their education.

So while some may look to the child actors of India’s slums as being given a chance at a prosperous future thanks to being quite literally plucked from the streets for the film, others see the children as exploited and many just see their moment of fame as false hope.  The fate of all of Slumdog Millionaire’s young stars remains to be seen, and it not only depends on fortune and fame, but their families, communities and their ability to gain a full education and escape the cycle of of so many families who find themselves with little options for escape from life in the slums.

To read more on children in poverty, living slums or on the streets,  see my other post on Street Kids, or posts such as Children of the Kibera Slums