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• Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail is a child actor who appeared in the film Slumdog Millionaire. Ismail lives in the slums of India, which the movie portrays, and Slumdog Millionaire is his first acting job.

  Ismail's home, along with many others in Mumbai, were demolished on May 14, 2009, as part of the "pre-monsoon demolition drive." His mother states that the demolition crew "didn't give prior notice" and that her family "didn't get a chance to take out their belongings." A Bombay Municipal Corporation official stated that "only illegaly built shanties were destroyed, not the homes which were legally owned."PerezHilton: More Trouble For Slumdog Child Stars! (May 14, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: 1998
  2. Birthplace: Mumbai, India
  3. Appeared in Slumdog Millionaire
  4. Paid for 30 days of work for the movie
  5. Stipend and trust fund set up for Ismail for his participation in the film
  6. Traveled to 2009 Oscars with his mom, Shameem Ismail
  7. Nine kids who acted in the movie were flown to the Oscars
  8. Being provided with a new home from the Indian governmentPeople: Slumdog Child Stars to Receive New Homes (February 25, 2009)
  9. Slumdog filmmakers say that Ali and Ismail were enrolled in school for the first timePeople: Slumdog Child Stars to Receive New Homes (February 25, 2009)
  10. The filmmakers also report that a fund was established to provide for the "children's education, medical emergencies and basic living costs"People: Slumdog Child Stars to Receive New Homes (February 25, 2009)

• Punishment

  News reports from Mumbai allege that Ismail was slapped and kicked by his father in front of onlookers for refusing to talk to the press on February 27, 2009.Popeater: Uproar Over 'Slumdog' Kid's Slap (February 27, 2009)

• Return from the Academy Awards

  Ismail, along with co-star and neighbor Rubina Ali, were flown to the US for the 2009 Oscar Awards ceremony on February 22, 2009. Ismail and Ali are reportedly undergoing therapy after returning to India as they are said to be having a hard time readjusting to their life in the slums. Ismail stated that he was "very sad." He went on to say that he feels "sleepy, hot and sick all the time" and that he "can't get to sleep here - there are too many mosquitoes and it is so hot." Ali stated that she doesn't "want to sleep on the floor anymore." She adds, "I want a proper bed and live where the air does not smell of poo. I have realized how bad life is here. I just want to get out."Holly Scoop: Slumdog Star Suffering from Exhaustion (March 2, 2009)

• New Homes

  According to People Magazine, Ismail and Ali will be presented with new homes by Indian government authorities. Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority's Gautam Chatterjee states that the children's present home's in the slums "can't even be classified as housing."People: Slumdog Child Stars to Receive New Homes (February 25, 2009) However, as of May 2009, the child stars have not received new homes and Ismail's home was demolished by city workers in May of 2009 as part of the "pre-monsoon demolition drive."PerezHilton: More Trouble For Slumdog Child Stars! (May 14, 2009)

• Slumdog Fast Facts

  1. British drama film
  2. Based on an 18-year-old boy who wins big on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
  3. The boy gets arrested for the suspicion of cheating and is forced to tell about his past
  4. Release date: November 12, 2008
  5. Director: Danny Boyle
  6. Co-director: Loveleen Tandan
  7. Producer: Christian Colson
  8. Screenwriter: Simon Beaufoy
  9. Run time: 116 min
  10. Based on the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup
  11. Setting: India
  12. Filmed in India
  13. Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Tanay Hemant Chheda, Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, Rubiana Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail

  
  

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