"Slumdog
Millionaire" child actors Rubina Ali and Azharuddin
Mohammed Ismail, whose Mumbai shanties were torn
down in a controversial slum clearance last month,
are to get a holiday in Britain.
The children, who starred in the multi-Oscar award
winning movie, have accepted an invitation by
Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz to visit Britain, the
lawmaker said Monday.
Vaz said he was "delighted to hear from the
families" of the two children, who last month were
reported to have been offered new homes by the
Indian government just days after the director of "Slumdog
Millionaire" bought apartments for them.
The demolition of their homes by local authorities
in Mumbai made headlines around the world.
Vaz said he issued the invitation in April because
he felt it was important that the children had the
opportunity to visit Britain to meet with their
fans.
They will attend a tea party to be held in their
honour in the House of Commons - Britain's lower
house of parliament - where they will meet with
their fans and other distinguished guests, Vaz said.
"Rubina and Azhar performed brilliantly in the film
and their lives have been followed with great
interest by the public in the UK," Vaz said.
"I hope this party in the House of Commons will go
some way to thanking them for the joy they brought
to millions of viewers," he added.
"Slumdog
Millionaire" child actors Rubina Ali and Azharuddin
Mohammed Ismail, whose Mumbai shanties were torn
down in a controversial slum clearance last month,
are to get a holiday in Britain.
