Slumdog Director Visits Young Stars, Child's Father Expresses Frustration
Filed under: Film Flickers
Whether it came from the goodness of his heart or the pressure of bad press, director Danny Boyle paid a visit to the child actors of his successful Slumdog Millionaire in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail have been left homeless after city officials cleared out some of the shanty town in which they had been living.
Boyle explained that "We've been trying for a long time to move them into legal accommodation."
But Rubina's father, Rafiq Qureshi, expressed frustration with Boyle's delay, saying, "It has been five to six months. Everything is available in Mumbai if you have the money. If you really want to get us a house you can get us a house in two days." Qureshi cut the meeting short, adding, "After the Oscars they forgot about us."
Nirja Mattoo, who oversees the children's trust funds, says, "We're trying our best to get it [Legal housing] as soon as possible" and gave herself a nice big pat on the back.
Yeah, well guess what? Mumbai isn't Hollywood and they have real problems that require real promises to fix.
So get on it, Danny!
[Image via WENN.]
Ummm, quit having children if you can't take care of them, Mumbai.
real promises don't fix real problems either you fucken idiot
It's not Danny's responsibility solely to fund these children, he already set up trust funds, the government should take responsibility for the lack of homes or funding so that people do not have to live in squalor, thank god i dont live in a third world country thats all i can say!!!! The father sounds like just a money grabber and loves all the attention!!! just because Danny Boyle is a well known director, the father shouldent just expect it!!!
What have YOU done for them Perez? You are going to sit here and bash someone for their efforts yet you have done nothing.
I agree with martw19. This isn't Danny's fault. It's the parents. The more money you give these sh1theads, the more they will ask for… it's a hard situation and I think Danny is doing the best he can.
As much money as the director made off of that then he could afford to buy each of those kids a good sized home for them to live in but forgot about them. It's horrible!
Maybe it's the govt's fault–just like it is everywhere else. Why should Danny have to fix their problems?? He set up the fund and now gets this?? That father is the worst–he should shut up, get a job, and treat his kids like humans instead of commodities.
Re: Starlit – and then what?? Pay their taxes, food and clothing bills and send them off to private schools?? The parents are responsible for the kids and their futures.
Re: martw19 – I agree. Why is it Danny's issue to take care of this? He is not their father.
FATHER IS RIGHT ON ONE THING - ANYTHING IS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IF YOU HAVE THE DOUGH. MONEY TALKS BULLSHIT WALKS. AND THAT'S TRUE IN FIRST WORLD COUNTRIES. DOES ASSWIPE BOYLE THINKS THE 3RD WORLD NATIONS WORK ANY DIFFERENTLY?? DOUCHE BAG.
THE POINT BEING IF THE CHILDREN WERE COMPENSATED NO DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER CHILD STARS IN HOLLYWOOD THEY WOULDN'T BE IN THIS PREDICAMENT AND WAIT TILL 18!! THEY WOULD HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR SHELTER RATHER THAN CRY TO BOYLE EVERYTIME WHICH ALL THIS BS ID OF HIS OWN DEVISE… MORON.
I am sure the gov't destroyed their houses to speed up the process
It's not Danny Boyles problem to raise those children for their parents, it is the job of the parents to provide for the welfare of their children,
These parents just want to have a hand out because of their children, they seem to not to want to better their own life and seem to believe that now the producers etc..are responsible for their up keep
wow everyone saying its not boyle's responsibility are fucking dumb! do any of you know the exact figure he made off their movie?? and angelina can get $20 million for a movie that DOESNT win an oscar tho, right? the father is 100% CORRECT, they could buy a house tomorrow if they really wanted to! the parents were born into squalor like everyone else. how do you rise above millions of other people in the same situation with no education?? they DID do something about it!! they allowed their children to participate in an american movie, THAT WAS THEIR OPPORTUNITY!!!! and boyle is shitting on them. i will never watch another movie of his if he doesnt make this right. and to the ignoramus Re: martw19 – youre right, be glad you dont live in a 3rd world country, none of us know how it feels!
It's not his responsibilty. They were paid for the acting job and he even gave them more money after the film's success. Is he supposed to adopt them now?
Danny Boyle is a director. It is not his responsibility to care for these children.
The fact that he's dedicated so much time to them is wonderful, but should'nt be expected to keep it up for all eternity.
You should know better Perez.
Re: radish[re=3834165]Re: radish – the father sounds like a douchebag
why is it up to Danny to continue to support this stupid family. the father wants way more than they deserve, Danny has already done enough for them, it's not his fault the parents are money hungry morons. It's now the parents responsibility. I bet they wish they had never done a movie with these people, they're going to ruin any possible work in the future by acting this greedy nobody will want to work with "poor people" because of all the backlash, they'll just continue to hire british actors that look Indian
Re: brainchild – Apparently you have no idea what it's like to live in a 3rd world country. Fortunately I don't either but why don't you try to educate yourself. Not everyone has it as easy as we do. Watch Born into Brothels, a great documentary about children living in India. Open your eyes, these parents have an extremely hard time, harder than you could ever even imagine. These kids were used and tossed away.. out of sight out of mind!
Re: jessymoon – wow, way to be part of the problem. "Boo hoo, the poverty stricken actors want a real house to live in and now our multi million dollar company has to pay for it, those selfish hobos should be happy they got our table scraps." are you people really this ignorant?? who doesnt understand that this movie was their opportunity and they see the chance for a real life for their children slipping away
Re: shaashiie – So Danny Boyle should be forced to solve their problems?? Fuck off you stupid idiot. Their gov't needs to get it's shit together–Danny showed the world the problem, he wasn't trying to solve it. They were paid–the way the rest of the world is paid, and given trust funds. Now it is up to their families to continue to support them. Maybe India should promote abstinence and condoms so there aren't so many kids, but putting the burden on Danny because he gave them a job with pay is fucking ridiculous, you stupid fuck. Take care of your own
These aren't Danny's children! Why should he get on it? They were employees, they were paid, they have trust funds set up, and now it is their parents responsibility to provide for them. Why do people continue to have children if they can't provide for them?? The fathers of these kids sound so shady…all they do is complain and beg.
The director has gone far above and beyond what is expected of them. Why do people expect them to be paid for the rest of their lives because they were in a bit of 1 movie? Other child actors don't get to be supported for life. Macaulay Culkin's family had to file for bankruptcy, and I didn't hear cries that the producers of Home Alone should come and protect his family. They were paid well beyond what should be expected. It is SO KIND that they want to help, but it should be seen as a generous act, not an obligation.
I agree with most of the people here. It isn't Danny's job to be financially responsible for these children's futures. He's done more than necessary to look after the well being of these children. It was a big risk he took by hiring 2 slum children, knowing that these kinds of challenges would occur. You don't see any of the other child actors demanding free handouts left and right. He provided them with adequate salary and a trust fund. He also attempted to get legal housing bulit for them but the contractor ran off with the money. How easily that people forget that these childrens' parents squandered their salary money the second it got into their hands. It dosen't matter how much money you give these people, it will never be enough for them. That's what you deal with in these kinds of poverty stricken communities. Money does not solve problems… the issues are far to complex in India. Their parents have no appreciation for what Danny's done for their children already.
Those of you supporting the father, please keep one thing in mind–this man was recently caught interviewing people so he could SELL his child. One way or another, be it through Boyle or selling his daughter, he's going to find a way out. I understand desperate times and all, but SELLING your own kid…?
They paid the children for their part in the movie. They are not held responsible for the children's lives after the movie. Who would the father blame if she wasn't in a movie. Take responsibility. If you don't have the money to raise a child DON'T HAVE THEM!!!
That's b.s. Those kids helped make him millions, and he can't even help them put a roof over their heads. Why did they even get sent back to India after the Oscars? Why was this not taken care of before they got sent back?
This whole argument between the father and the trust is really about the trust refusing to do anything illegal. When the father says "with money you could have a house in two days", he means you can have a house if you pay off a bunch of government officials. The trust is doing the best they can going through legal avenues as to not attract bad press. But at some point, aren't the parents responsible for their children?
42% of India's population lives below the global poverty line. If it was so easy for the Indian government and these kids' parents to help, they would be in a better situation. Danny made stars out of these children, an Oscar winning movie, and a shit-load of money. I think he does have some kind of responsibility to these kids, and he probably thinks so, too. Without them, his movie would not have been as great as it is… and to those of you that said the parent's just want a hand-out, you're damn right they do!! They have NOTHING!! You'd be asking for a handout if your shack had just been bulldozed and there was literally nowhere for you to go. There aren't any homeless shelters in Mumbai, OR resources to help those people.
These fuckers make me sick. Take care of your own fucking kids. Danny should never even return to that fucked up country and their money hungry loosers.
Something is not quite right with this story?? How can actors of the 2008 movie of the year be homeless?? I don't get it
yes. give the father more money so he can try to sell his daughter again. if there was a way to just help these children, I'm sure it would be done. it's impossible to help when we know the parents will just steal the money.
The director doesn't owe them crap. They did their job, and he paid them. If you are too POOR TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN THEN STOP FREAKING HAVING THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have 1 Child and that's enough. I would be too poor if I had more with the money I make now. Poor people should not keep on having children. This should not be allowed in ANY COUNTRY!!!!!!!YEs I said it, child limitations is one of the things I like about China. I understand accidents happen when birth control fails (the burst condom), but after two kids you should JUST STOP FUCKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: MichLuv – Re: MichLuv –
Darling, you obviously have no idea how the film industry works. Danny is a director. JUST a director. He's NOT the film studio. Yeah, he made a whole lot of deserved dough, but the studio made a whole hella lot more. Why are you not blaming the studio?
Danny Boyle has done a great deal of things for these children. Definitely a lot more than he is responsible for doing. I commend him for the aid that he's given these children. It's not his responsibility, yet he's still trying to help these kids out as much as possible. Who is responsible? The government. They're the one's fucking up. This kid's dad is obviously trying to make his child life better, but he is looking in the wrong place (and therefore making himself look bad). He shouldn't ask Danny for a new house. He should ask Danny to help with getting a new house. For example, asking Danny to talk to the government so that they can expedite the whole process. The only one who is looking bad is the government.
Danny Boyle should cough up the cashola and buy them both apartments - in a trustee's name (so the parents don't sell it). Sorry, there is no way that these kids should be homeless - or living in a slum somewhere.
Slumdog made millions. Boyle should do the right thing.
These people aren't Danny Boyle's problem. Shame on the parents for using the press to make Danny Boyle appear somehow unresponsive - they're not his responsibility!!!!
If you make a promise to kids, you'd better keep it. Everyone knows these parents are dirt bags, but Boyle exploited these kids when he decided not to pay scale or get talented American actors and now he's back-tracking for good press. Whoever he has "managing" these kids' affairs is not doing a very good job of it. He made a promise to spend $100,000 each on legal homes for these kids and he ought to fulfill it. These kids don't know what's happening to them, they just know that "Danny Uncle" is their only shot at getting out of their hell. Dude takes advantage of people who are desperate (Tsunami victims and Mumbai slum kids) and plays like he's their savior - Hire and film in the US whenever possible and pay scale to people who do this for a living! Otherwise you just look like a greedy bastard.
Re: martw19 – Mumbai is NOT 3rd world. It's very technologically advanced like any big city here in the US, they just have an enormous gap between the haves and the have-nots. Plus there's a HUGE population living is a small space.
When did these kids become Danny Boyle's sole responsibility? He didn't decide to have them in that hellhole, without any financial means to support them. Perez, you really need to cut the shit, because all the guy did was put those children in his movie, he didn't bring them into this world. He's certainly done his fair share for them, but their parents seem like fucking scumbags.
These poor kids….and we think the Gosselins are exploited!!! Tell me how can anyone with even a shred of compassion take these children out of slums to America to stay in 5 star hotels, go to the oscars, get all dressed up see what they are missing out on and then send them back to the rats and rotting food??? EVIL EVIL EVIL. Its like giving a lollie to a kid and only letting them sock it once.. Assholes…..
There is no legal obligations after a movie is done. Just like you have no obligations to speak on behalf of others. Drop the news and cut your shit out.
I think the important word here is "legal". sure you can get anything with money in 3rd world countries but not always legal. Her father has made mistake after mistake because of lack of education in how to use the opportunity that has been afforded him and his family effectively. I don't blame him and I don't blame danny for giving them as much as he can in the most socially responsible manner.
stop weighing in on things you don't know anything about, perez. thes children are very lucky in the fact that they will in due time get a home. what about all their friends who have nothing and will just have to rebuild a slum elsewhere. perhaps you should put your energy into that.
get the kids in better living situations but leave behind that douche of a dad who was selling his daughter
Danny Boyle should not have to take care of these kids. They did their job & he has gone above & beyond what a DIRECTOR should do. Name me one child actor who has had the director of their movie set them up in a trust fund, offer to get them a place to live, & pay for their education, on top of a salary? I saw a picture of the little girl, signing autographs at her house, before it was demolished. She was standing under a big screen tv! Are you telling me that the parents couldn't have taken what a big screen tv costs & gotten an apartment with it? The families are responsible for the money being spent & now they're standing with their hands out, wanting more. They aren't interested in their children's well being, just what they can squeeze out of the film company. True, the movie made alot of money. But you can't tell me those kids got absolutely nothing out of it. I felt sorry for the families at first, but now, I only feel sorry for the kids, for having such greedy parents.
Re: chilidawg – Most directors work with union talent and pay them scale…Not Danny. Danny goes to far off places and uses locals for a fraction of what the lowest paid union worker makes on set. Boyle made promises and he should keep them. It's not okay to exploit kids no matter how poor they were to begin with.
THIS IS REALY SAD AND IT JUST SHOW US THAT THE MOST CELBRITYS (MANISTON, BOYLE) ARE JUST DOING THE CHARITY-THING FOR THE IMAGE, THEY ARE NOT REALY INTERESTED TO HELP PEOPLE, THEY JUST WANT TO HELP THEMSELFS! I BET SANTA ANGLINA WILL SOON BE SEEN IN MUMBAY
SHE REALY CARES WITH PASSION!!!! CAUSE EVERYTHING WHAT SHE DOES, SHE DO IT WITH PASSION!!!
im sick of these kids parents!
just because they stared in a Danny Boyle film, it doesn't mean that he has to
take care of them forever.
He's been kind enough to give them huge opportunities and has set up a trust fund, its not like he's paying alimony!
If they cant afford to raise children why do most families in povert have around 5 or whatever?
Ahhh. Seiously?
Has anyone here actually BEEN to the slums in India?
Countries in that part of the world are so,so corrupt, there's NO WAY just buying some kids a house would fix anything!
There are millions of children living in slums or on the street and the most likely thing a police officer would do is beat them and take their money!
Yes, Danny Boyle might be able to buy them accomodation but it probably wouldn't last more than a couple of months and the authorities would constantly be demanding bribes.
Helping out two kids who were in a movie might be good enough for some people but it's not going to fix the problem.
If Danny just bribes some government people to give these kids a house, all he'll be doing is helping the cycle continue going around.
Someone needs to challenge the problems, not help them.
Its the father's responsiblity to get his family out of that squalor they call home and not the director's.
Re: MichLuv – You have no idea what you are talking about, the majority of people on here are in agreement here that it is not the directors responsibility, but you are so thik to notice, thick as in dumb!!!! and the only people shitting on the kid, is its own father that is trying to sell their own daughter, angelina jolie what has she got to do with the situation, where are you from mars, because you sound like you are!!!!!!
fuck slumdog, these guys are assholes. they have a shit load of money while the actors that made the movie so heart warming are living on the streets.
im never going to watch this movie again
and if anyone ever brings it up, ill be sure to remind them about this douchebagery