Glitz all over for Slumdog stars

im sorry but i think the people should also think that there are a lot of other kids living in the slums.
of course they know just those and symphatize with them but i dont think its fair that everyone say how poor they are. does no one think about the other? i m sure there are enough little boys and girls who would need help, why are the avtors chosen to get an appartement? are the other worthless cuz they havent played in a film? you want to send money to the actors but they have a bit of money already, there are others who have nothing. then well its normal that they want to stay in america, i guess every kid would like to live a life like a filmstar, not only evey kid ;)
i agree that it wasnt the best idea to get the children out of their lifes to the "holllywoodlife"
that would be amazing for everyone who doesnt live there!! and i dont want to be pessimitic but just think about how realistic it is that they will be able to live in america if they are old enough... indeed they have an education but i dont think that they ll be chosen as actors cuz they played a few roles when they were about ten... it would be hard for them too.
so there are many unsloved problems...

By anna p... Posted April 19 2009 at 8:45 PM.

it's 1998 all over again, when shakespeare in love stunned saving private ryan/life is beautiful!. how slumdog beat benjamin button/the reader is still a mystery, a travesty of justice. it's not very much better than feel-good stuff, such as children of heaven/bend it like beckham - and certainly doesn't outdo the original poverty film, bicycle thieves in 1948.

By jim.. Posted March 8 2009 at 4:23 AM.

You People are INSANE! Danny Boyle is not responsible to take care of them for the rest of their lives! They were paid well above the average wage of anyone in their community for a few months work. Not every actor on a film gets royalties, some only get a salary. Do we rewrite the rules for this film alone, because the children come from poverty? Lots of child actors in America are poor, are abused by parents(killed in at least one case) will only have one memorable role and never work in movies again.
American movie companies will do well to learn from this experience, never work with children in a 3rd world country! Greedy, selfish, undeducated and unreasonable people will vilifiy you no matter how much money they are given. These parents and the posters to this article think the kids won the lottery, but they did not. It was a stinking job and they got paid. The kids didn<t get statuettes , because they didn<t win any acting awards.

By Evan .. Posted March 7 2009 at 10:42 PM.

They should attend a residential school in India.They should study the Arts.

By Wally.. Posted March 5 2009 at 6:59 PM.

well it s out there folks and this is it the cut throat world of show bizz where kids are used in this way more often that you know . now im glad the world has had a chance to see it for what it is .what do you say danny boy put your greesy slimmy little hand into your greasy pockets and cough up a better life for thease kids it should nt cost you to much you do realize that you have done your reputation more harm than good .the writing is on the wall .

By amelia truehart.. Posted March 5 2009 at 4:16 PM.

Their lives are now ruined!

By annie.. Posted March 5 2009 at 9:48 AM.

The week in LA for these children was like a trip to Disneyland. It was fun and thrilling, but it was all make-believe. Although the families could use the money right now, I agree that it is best to leave it in a trust fund. US child actors get a trust fund for their earnings. Many child actors of the 30s & 40s were left without a cent by their parents. These actors fought hard as adults so that child actors today would be afforded protection of their earnings.

By Diana D.. Posted March 5 2009 at 6:35 AM.

Having done a little research in developing nations, I know that giant monies and gifts are not customary but a small gift is considered appropriate when visiting/working with families in poor neighborhoods. The gift needs to be matched to the income level and the availability of the kind of person you need to play a part you need in a very big organized situation where everyone is paid some.

Since when is 6 months of work supposed to support you for the rest of your life? The children were paid and are being paid well for their circumstance and especially for the previous acting experience that they brought with them (none). And Boyle is providing more for them by providing school then money could buy.

The "western" conditions the children were shown was not anything that is anythign close to sustainable or real. "Western life", isn't necessarily "better"; they saw an extreme, one kind of flawless, version of America called Hollywood and it opened up their senses showing them a different home then the one they left, arguably a worse one... but in many ways, which I hope you all can see, a much better one or much the same one if only a little dingier and more densely packed. These kids, living in arguable "squalor", knew how to naturally laugh and smile and play and joke better then a lot of the shiny, clean, and privileged kids of a hermetically sealed west/else ware. So who is to say what is better or worse?

By sarah.. Posted March 5 2009 at 5:12 AM.

Danny Boyle is supposed to save all their lives because he had them in his film???!! Hes done all he can.

By Karl.. Posted March 5 2009 at 1:51 AM.

Exploited kids by the wealthy................the world and humans in it will never change!!!

By Wayne.. Posted March 4 2009 at 11:49 AM.

Perhaps, in hindsight, with all the previous comments and opinions, they should have hired actors! There is so much to agree and disagree with in this discussion...who knows what will happen as a consequence to these children being chosen to act. I only wish they get they very the best from their situation as you all do ....

By Obvious.. Posted March 3 2009 at 11:04 PM.

Considering that in India, a meal for a family of 6 can cost about £2, these kids WERE paid well. Did anyone actually read the entire article? They WERE given wages, but as in most Indian families, the successful kids were expected to prop up their parents' needs.
As an Indian whose parents worked their ways up from the slums of India to proper positions in the world, I can say that it is
not impossible to escape slum life, and that nobody, least of all a parent, whose sole job in life is to provide for their children (and not the other way around), should expect handouts to live hand-to-mouth.
I am disappointed that there is an international "outrage" without realising the true facts of "slum" life and the reasoning behind Danny Boyle and the production company's actions. As it was mentioned before, the wages would be squandered (as they already have been) by all-too-eager friends and family. "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime."

By Sherin O... Posted March 3 2009 at 6:32 PM.

hey boyle u did dis impossible work as a magician...and u hav success for dis.....

By sahid.. Posted March 3 2009 at 1:18 AM.

You people are ignorant idiots. You don't seem to comprehend the corruption over there, if they were given mass quantity's of money it would just be taken from them. Also £35,000 will do much more over there than it will here.

By Unknown.. Posted March 3 2009 at 12:15 AM.

Danny Boyle..sure you made a brilliant movie,and its not that easy to produce a movie in the slums of mumbai,look for the right child actors,who have never before been in front of the cameras,they were acting as if it came to them natrually,like going about their daily life..it was great watching these kids perform....but surely ,even you, Danny will surely know 35k in a trust for them,until they r 18 is much too little..I suggest that u give them a better life by getting them a better home, with all the facilities and send them a minimum of 150 pounds a month for all three of them,at least till they become 16yrs of age..God will bless you..

By Deepak.. Posted March 2 2009 at 11:49 PM.

Sarah - I agree 100% with what you had to say. The kids were the real stars of the show, certainly not Freida Pinto, who's acting was as you put it, very average. Yet, she is maximising whatever she can milk out of this 'celebrity' status asap coz this isn't going to last....shame on them and Danny Boyle!

By Samantha Hughes.. Posted March 2 2009 at 9:41 PM.

These children surely deserve more. but what we are doing as a society for them or for other slum kids? Stop posting comments and do something if you can. Why we need a Danny for doing something? Aren't we are capable of that?

By param.. Posted March 2 2009 at 9:12 PM.

I am not sure what the long-term effect of taking the kids to the Oscars will be, but noone could foresee the success of the movie.

What should probaby happened is residuals (what equity actors get from royalties when their work is shown, sold, used) should be paid into that trust fund.

By Enzo1990.. Posted March 2 2009 at 8:57 PM.

Seeing what these children have had to go back to is appalling. It is very sad to see these children clinging to the little things that were able to bring back with them to India. The only question I have is, where are their trophies? With Danny Boyle, the India authorities, hidden in their homes in the slums?

By Michael Bowman.. Posted March 2 2009 at 8:15 PM.

Hats off to you Mr. Danny Boyle. I wish you all good success in ur future life. I pray god to give good life for all the three young kids(Rubina, Azaruddin,jamal(i dont know the real name)). I pray for their bright future and may all their good dreams come true. Let every young slum kids changes their lifestyle and remove slum life very soon in India.One morething Mr. Danny Boyle, please if you can do some more to these kids may give a chance to change there life and can solve their problems.Thansk for all who can help these kids and other slum kids for providing good life after reading this message

By tejas.. Posted March 2 2009 at 6:25 PM.

Danny Boyle can not just use these children like that and expect to return them to their homes without so long lasting psychological trauma. He needs to provide some transitional mental help and change the lives of these FAMILIES forever, by providing better housing and livelihood for the whole family. The above poster is right, that any additional money paid to the children will be taken by the father. That's why he needs to set them up with a house, etc. not just cash. But then of course, we're talking about India.... where will it end?

By RubyJackson.. Posted March 2 2009 at 4:24 PM.

Oh, Danny Boyle the slums, the slums keep calling.

By Noel Almeida.. Posted March 2 2009 at 9:24 AM.

Disgusting. I cannot believe the small change these actors got paid - they were stars of a massive film and now have to live like this - even if they are not given the money now - when they are 18 £35K will buy less than it does now. Shame on Danny Boyle - I now wish I'd not given the film more revenue.
Should be 350k not 35k.

By sarah.. Posted March 2 2009 at 8:32 AM.

I just can`t seem to understand one thing....Why all the hype over Ferida Pinto ? Her acting was average, and she hardly had much to do in the film, and yet she has been propelled onto the cover of Elle, Vogue, Maxim etc etc....Just don`t get it....and yet the real stars of the film - the children have not received much acclaim for their roles, i mean 480 quid ! Thats how much Pinto should have got ! Its very sad, Boyle should have done much more......Well Danny boy - lets see you emmulate the same success once again.......

By Vik.. Posted March 2 2009 at 5:59 AM.

Danny.. you and your team disgust me!!

By Allan.. Posted March 2 2009 at 3:26 AM.

Shame on you Danny!!

By Crystal.. Posted March 2 2009 at 3:23 AM.

If only Danny could've been generous enough to give 1% of his profits, all of these children + their friends would've had homes and their neccessities.

But no, Danny would rather just buy him a DS with the spare change he has in his pocket.

By torpedo.. Posted March 2 2009 at 12:20 AM.

These kids were not just extras in the movie, they had key roles, and did a great job. It definitely is sad to see the way they live. If they are given more money up front, it will most likely be spent by the parents and will not benefit the children. Sure it would be generous to buy the homes with all the necessities, but as said before, who's going to pay for the expenses to maintain the home? The parents are uneducated and have small jobs to barely get by. I'm glad that these children have money waiting for them when they turn 18, although a more generous amount should be given especially since the movie was such a success. The thought of these children in Hollywood, having the time of their lives for one week, is a tear jerker. Chances are they will will never experience something to its equivalence again. I wish them luck.

By L.. Posted March 1 2009 at 11:30 PM.

what about the young lad who played jamal ?

the real star of the film. why no mention of him ?

ask any subcontinent person and they will tell you his role made the film.

a point sadly lost in the west.

By dirty torque.. Posted March 1 2009 at 11:08 PM.

Well done Danny Boyle for showing these kids a bit of life, and maybe give them go in life.

By stef.. Posted March 1 2009 at 10:12 PM.

I don't think the parents would squander the money, they should be given a comfortable amount after they have had a think how to spend it wisely. Nobody can be suddenly taken away from a community they have known all of their lives.

By Thoughts.. Posted March 1 2009 at 10:33 PM.

this really is an amazing film..i do gaurantee you would all love it.

By debbie.. Posted March 1 2009 at 10:54 PM.

this has to stop. all children should be bought up right and well, we can all stop this, be it in india or england.

all the children in the world are one, and so are we. the colour of are skin should not mean anything.

so sad seeing this, we can stop this over night, but the new world order has other plans. wake up world

By sarpal.. Posted March 1 2009 at 6:50 PM.

typical, the west always thinks its bettter , why should they seek asylum, what makes u think they want to leave their roots.
i do beleive 35, 000 is too small, though i havent seen the film yet and dont know how big or little their roles were.
tthe trust fund is a good idea. but they shoud get a little something now to get by.

By ai.. Posted March 1 2009 at 6:04 PM.

There can never be a rags to riches stories in this instance,as the Indian Caste system will never allow it. How did they get permission to bring the children? ,i noticed they had a "chaperone",were they low caste as well
Shame on the film-makers,and Hollywood for glorifying poverty,lets hope they donate their profits to the poor of Bombay but unfortunately the Indian Government would not allow it. I certainly will not go to see the film and fill
the pockets of these film makers.
Ive seen the poverty there in MUMBAI,first hand and even when i gave a tip the recipient had to hand it over to another.

By SCOTTY.. Posted March 1 2009 at 3:29 PM.

Just goes to show you can't be too careful

By Michael Hunt.. Posted March 1 2009 at 3:27 PM.

The sad reality is that the families would keep any money if it weren't in a Trust Fund. The boy's father earns £40 a month but has complained his son should be given more than the £20,000 which has either been paid out or put in Trust for him. That's almost 5 years' wages for him, a huge amount where he's from.

But the money paid so far has all been taken by the father who was then photographed hitting his child.

Does India have good boarding schools because, sadly, that's probably the best option for them. Having had just a taste of paradise, they won't cope with their old home and others' jealousy and greed - including the boy's father's.

By Jane.. Posted March 1 2009 at 4:00 PM.

Having just been to the LAND OF THE FREE,why didnt thechildren get offered a home there . If it had been England its certain someone would have suggested or encouraged these youngsters and chaperones to seek asylum instead of going back to abject poverty,albeit many millions more are poor there .Why does not the Indian government share money out eqAully INSTEAD OF HAVING THESE YOUNGSTERS TO ADVERTISE IT FOR THEM IN THIS CRUEL ,CYNICAL,WAY.

By Alan Scott.. Posted March 1 2009 at 3:06 PM.

did the children have an agent?, even if temporary? surely they are entitled to a percentage of the profits the film makes or is that just for the main actors,will they get parts in bollywood films? as every one knows star children rarely make it in films when they turn adult, so the indian or local council should give there families all the help they can just for the reason of the publicity the bollywood industry has got over the film, hope they make it.

By andy.. Posted March 1 2009 at 11:59 AM.

I can see these children being damaged psychologically in a big way. They were removed from the world they knew (never mind how deprived) and then subjected to over the top pampering for a few days before being thrown back into the slum. Once the cameras have left and interest waned, all the talk about re-housing etc will fade into oblivion. Two years down the line, the poor little girl will still be wearing her Hollywood dress - desperately holding on to a time when a magical window opened briefly and then slammed shut. Children actors should have in their contracts a percentage of the films profits, even if it is 0.0005% it will still be quite something to be paid into their trust until the reach a certain age. The one-off lump sum given in this instance is a bit insulting in view of the millions the film is set to rake in.

By Andrew Mutandwa.. Posted March 1 2009 at 9:07 AM.

If the film had flopped and no one heard of it then nothing would be said as it happens their education is secure they have a trust fund and their families get rehoused in a better area so all is not so bad, as for the money going to help their families, I bet the kids did not get any say in what happened to their money from their parents, it is a good job that there is a trust fund set up so their families can't take that from them

By Tone.. Posted March 1 2009 at 7:09 AM.

The kids are being provided with a decent education, also there is a trust fund that can be used when they turn eighteen. This money can open lots of new horizons for the children.

Ok, the producers may want to provide baiscs like house, fridge etc as mentioned above, but what happens after that? Who will maintain the house, pay the bills? the parents are uneducated and can barely make minimum wage. Just by casting these kids in a movie the producers have not taken a life long guarantee for the family.

Come on guys give them a break. They could have gone ahead and cast children from middle class / rich families then all this propaganda / bashing could have been avoided.

By sonia.. Posted March 1 2009 at 6:37 AM.

did not really like the film and found it saccarinly politically correct but good luck to Danny a lot of good aspects to his directing.

These extras are the same as all extras....five minutes of fame and you make of your life what you will. At least they got to go to the magic of Hollywood that most of us can only dream of. This should inspire them to greater things.

By maria.. Posted March 1 2009 at 6:23 AM.

Theses kids were just used to make the rich richer! Its disgusting! I hope this story will change and there will be a happy ending for these kids soon. Come on Boyle and the rest of hollywood - do the right thing and save these kids from the hell they are in - they deserve better!

By Eugene Jordan.. Posted March 1 2009 at 5:37 AM.

i hate to say this but the chances of these 2 children surviving to be 18 are slim and hollywood knows this, if they really cared theyd have plucked the whole family out of the gutter and gave them a real chance of life , doing this is nothing more then a slap in the face to both children far worse then the boys chastisement by his father , which you where all up in arms about...

By chaos.. Posted March 1 2009 at 5:27 AM.

How do you help these kids? they have no address where can money be sent to them that will get to the kids?

By donna garner.. Posted March 1 2009 at 4:11 AM.

The mentality of the parents and elders is why Danny pays for their school transport back and forth and set up a trust fund which they get at 18.
The parents would squander it and the kids would hve nothing, this way they have a chance to get out of their squalor and will be able to provide for themselves. I love that they got to stay in fancy hotels, do Disneyland, eat pizza, take plane and helicopter rides. These kids know that with education and hard work, they can do anything they want to. Danny Boyle is not responsible for the social economic ills of India and did not get to keep all the money the movies brought in. The producers,studio, distributor advertising etc all get a huge cut.

By FLORENCE.. Posted March 1 2009 at 3:00 AM.

all part of the job. the kids have $35,000. there are other kids who sleep with empty stomach. just a question of survival.

By cl.. Posted March 1 2009 at 1:31 AM.

This breaks my heart, the film has won many Oscars, is a world wide success and is making countless millions of £s.

You would have thought these children and their parents could got a piece of that as out of all the stars in the film these children deserved more than others a chance to get out of poverty and the hell hole they've lived in all their lives.

Ok they have £35,000 in a trust fund but won't see that until they are 18, so what do they do in the mean time........ Rot in the hell they so desperately deserve to escape from......

As soon as the film was known to be a hit, those kids and their familys should have been taken out of slums and given decent house with all the mod cons even people on the dole in the UK take for granted (tv, washing machine, hot/cold running water, fridge, in door toilet, bath, mp3 player, computer etc) + a decent 5 year old ford fiasta sized car and decent health care (the basic things which we in the west take for granted).

But they didn't get any of this, one day they where at same level as huge hollywood and bollywood stars the next day they came back home to hell........

That should not be allowed to happen as they worked hard for their money and deserved the good things in life..... but never got them.

By scrumbow.. Posted March 1 2009 at 1:04 AM.

Thats so Sad...
But them out of the slim with the profits boyle.

By James williams.. Posted March 1 2009 at 12:57 AM.