Morning:
13°c
Oscar-winning film's child stars celebrate with Mickey Mouse
Amar Singh24.02.09
SLUMDOG Millionaire's child actors were treated to a trip to Disneyland after the film's Oscar triumph.
The children, two of whom live in Mumbai slums, were given the VIP treatment, enjoying rides and meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
The night before they had walked the red carpet at the Academy Awards and celebrated on stage as the low-budget British film was named best picture and bagged eight Oscars.
Slumdog Millionaire producer Christian Colson said today that plans to safeguard the future of Rubina Ali, nine, and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, were being re-examined.
He said: "It is important that we do right by these kids. We need a more systematic protection mechanism in place. The profile of the film is high and will remain high - we can't assume attention on these children will drift away."
Mr Colson said that the fund set up by the film-makers to help children in Indian slums had so far raised more than £500,000.
Doors have opened for the movie's romantic leads, Freida Pinto and London teenager Dev Patel. Pinto has been signed for Woody Allen's new, untitled movie and will star with Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins and Josh Brolin.
Patel, the 18-year-old from Harrow, has been cast by director M. Night Shyamalan for his new film, The Last Airbender.
