Mumbai city officials demolish 'Slumdog Millionaire' star's home

The home of one of the child stars in the Oscar-winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire” has been demolished by Mumbai city authorities. Officials say the home was built illegally in the public property.

The movie “Slumdog Millionaire” has been a phenomenal success for its producers and major actors. However, the child stars still live in the slums and have to endure hardships. The female child star, Rubina Ali, was reportedly offered for sale by her father but the police said they did not find any wrongdoing. Now, the other star, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, is having trouble after city officials demolished his home. According to BBC reports, the police hit Azharuddin with a bamboo stick before they ordered him out. Azharuddin and his family lived in a temporary home made up of plastic sheets over bamboo sticks in a slum near Bandra East in Mumbai. Mumbai city officials claim the home of Azharuddin’s family and others were built on government-owned land. Azharuddin’s mother, Shamim Ismail, is worried what will happen to her family now that their home has been demolished. Shamim Ismail told BBC:

"Our house has been broken down by officials. We have not been given any alternate accommodation. Earlier the authorities had said they would give us a house. But I don't think that will happen any more."

City officials are planning to build a park in the demolished area. The government promised to give new homes to the children after the Oscar success, and the producers said they will provide the children with enough money once they reach adulthood.