Hong Kong: The Indian child stars of the Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire brought a taste of Bollywood to Hong Kong, performing a dance number on the live broadcast of a charity fundraising show.
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubina Ali appeared a little nervous while dancing to the movie's hit song Jai Ho, sometimes moving out of sync with the adult dancers who were performing with them late on Saturday, but they were still warmly applauded by the studio audience.
Rubina wore a long red dress, while Ayush and Azhar wore traditional Indian kurtas.
Presenters announced after the performance that one donor phoned in a contribution of 830,000 Hong Kong dollars ($107,000) to The Community Chest charity during the dance number.
The two 10-year-olds and 9-year old are also scheduled to perform at two Hong Kong shopping malls later Sunday.
Slumdog Millionaire is about an orphan from Mumbai's shantytowns who wins the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. British director Danny Boyle cast real-life slum residents Azhar and Rubina in the film. Ayush did not grow up in the slums.
Some critics have accused the filmmakers of exploiting Azhar and Rubina, and efforts to improve their living conditions have been complicated by the changing demands of their families and jealousy from their neighbors.
Fearing a lump-sum payment would be squandered, the filmmakers set up a trust fund for the two children.
They also donated $747,500 to a charity devoted to improving the lives of Mumbai street children.
The two children's shanties were razed as part of a city slum-clearing campaign, but the filmmakers and Indian government officials have promised them new homes.
Rubina has also secured a book deal with Britain's Transworld Publishers announcing on Friday that it will publish her life story in mid-July. Terms of the deal weren't revealed.
Community Chest publicist Louie Tong said the charity is covering the children's travel expenses and lodging at a luxury hotel, but it is only paying them a small honorarium. She would not reveal the amount.
Slumdog Millionaire won eight Oscars in February — including best picture and best director — and made more than $350 million worldwide.
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