Azharuddin Ismail and Rubina Ali, whose homes were torn down by civic authorities because they were illegal, have been allocated an apartment each and could move into them soon, a statement from the chief minister’s office said on Friday.
The flats, meant for low-income families, are located in suburban Mumbai and cost about 400,000 rupees ($8,500) each. They will be paid for by the Congress party office in the city, the statement from Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said.
“The regional head of the Congress party said these two child actors were talented but were living in the slums and therefore should be given homes,” the statement said, citing Chavan.
Director Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson, flew into Mumbai this week and said a home had been bought for Ismail.
They said a home would also be found for Ali by the “Jai Ho” trust, named after the film’s award-winning track, and set up by Boyle and Colson to pay for the education and basic living costs of Ismail and Ali until they turn 18.
Boyle and Colson last month also donated 500,000 pounds to a non-profit organization to support a program for children in a slum in central Mumbai, where the film was largely shot.
