Mumbai Slum Kids En Route to Oscars

The two wide-eyed children who played the youngest versions of Salim and Latika were plucked from their homes in the slums of Mumbai today and jetted to Los Angeles to attend the Academy Awards. Neither 10-year-old Azharuddin Ismail or 9-year-old Rubiana Ali have ever left India before, and are sure to be among the biggest hits of Sunday’s red carpet. “I feel very, very, very, very, very, very good,” Azhar told the Associated Press. Both children were paid a stipend and given a trust fund for their 30 days of acting work and their participation in making the film caused some discord among their neighbors, who wondered why their own kids weren’t chosen for the roles.