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"Slumdog" kids to walk Oscar red carpet



21 February 2009 @ 09:10 am BST

The "Slumdog Millionaire" child actors from the slums of Mumbai will be joining hundreds of movie stars on the red carpet at Sunday's Oscar ceremony in Hollywood, the studio behind the film said on Friday.


Azharuddin Ismail, who acted as the character of young Salim in the film "Slumdog Millionaire" rests in his house at a slum area in Mumbai February 20, 2009. Ismail is on his way to Los Angeles to attend the 81st Academy Awards. REUTERS/Punit Paranjpe
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Fox Searchlight said it was paying the bill for visas, travel and accommodations for nine children to fly to Los Angeles for the Oscars, where the rags-to-riches story is favourite for a best picture Oscar.

The studio said the children, who play the younger and teen versions of the characters portrayed by adults Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and Madhur Mittal, will appear on the red carpet and attend the February 22 awards ceremony at the Kodak Theatre.

The film makers were accused last month of exploiting the children. British director Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson have rejected the charge, saying the children were paid above local Indian wages for their work and that the film's makers were also paying for their education.

"Slumdog Millionaire" is nominated for 10 Oscars -- the industry's highest honors -- including best picture and best director. It already has won at the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild, and the British BAFTA awards.

Copyright 2009 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.

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