The Indian child stars of the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire" are basking in a little more limelight following a weekend visit to Hong Kong.
Bringing a taste of Bollywood to the island, the kids appeared live on an Indian charity dance show that raised more than a 100,000-US dollars.
SOUNDBITE: "Slumdog" kids saying "hello" in Indian
The "Slumdog" stars, Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubina Ali, danced--a little out of synch at times--to the movie's hit song "Jai Ho" at a TV fundraiser late Saturday.
SOUNDBITE: "Slumdogs" kids performing at the charity event
Critics have accused the filmmakers of exploiting real-life slum residents Azhar and Rubina, who were compensated for their appearance in the movie with a trust-fund rather than a lump-sum payment. Efforts to improve the children's Mumbai living conditions have reportedly been complicated by the changing demands of their families and jealousy from neighbors.
Slumdog Millionaire won eight Oscars in February this year, including best picture and best director, and has made more than $350 million worldwide.
(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2009)
