After rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s glitterati at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, the child stars of multi-Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire spent a day at Disneyland, the dream destination of kids around the world.
Slumdog’s Jamals (Ayush Khedekar and Tanay Chheda), Salims (Azharuddin Sheik and Ashutosh Gajiwalan) and Latikas (Rubina Ali and Tanvi Lonkar) lived the dream of every child as they visited Universal Studios and Disneyland in California.
Apart from getting pictures clicked with iconic Disney stars, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the children enjoyed rides and movie-making action at the studios.
The four-day stay in the US has been a whirlwind for the children, two of whom (Ali and Ismail) live in the Mumbai slums. The young stars have been swarmed by paparazzi, met idols like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and partied the night away after their film's winning streak at the Oscars.
“The people here recognise us instantly and start shooting pictures with a visible love and excitement,” said Tanvi.
Still trying to come to terms with reality in the fantasyland, the 13-year-old from Goregaon said the glittering award ceremony and her stay in the US was like an extended dream sequence.
{{/usCountry}}Still trying to come to terms with reality in the fantasyland, the 13-year-old from Goregaon said the glittering award ceremony and her stay in the US was like an extended dream sequence.
{{/usCountry}}Walking down the red carpet at the Kodak theatre and the applause compensated for everything, Tanvi said, adding she was “a little bored during the ceremony, till the Slumdog announcements came”.
Tanvi’s father Ganesh, who accompanied her, said the troupe had a pleasant surprise even while en route to Los Angles as during their halt at London airport “people came and greeted us”. —