Mother of “Slumdog” child celebrates Oscar haul

MUMBAI - The mother of one of the “Slumdog” child actors celebrated the film’s eight Oscars on Monday from her home in an Indian shantytown, where relatives and neighbours had gathered to watch the awards ceremony on television.

By (Reuters)

Published: Mon 23 Feb 2009, 12:17 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 8:52 AM

“I’m so happy that my daughter has won this award and I could see her on stage with such big stars,” said Muni Qureshi, mother of 8-year-old Rubina Ali, who played the young slum kid Latika in the film.

Ali, along with other child actors in the film, was flown to Los Angeles for the awards ceremony and she appeared on stage as the film’s best motion picture award was announced.

The film has generated controversy in India, where some people find its name, and depiction of poverty, insulting.

But Qureshi, who lives with her daughter and the rest of the family in a ramshackle home with no running water in Mumbai’s Garib Nagar slum, defended the film.

“I know that this film has been criticized for showcasing poverty. But it has also meant that a girl from the slums of Mumbai who could not even imagine that she would go abroad has reached the Oscars, so how can that be bad?” she said.

The rags-to-riches romance “Slumdog Millionaire” scooped up eight Oscars, the most of any movie this year, including best motion picture.

Briton Danny Boyle was named best director for the often dark but ultimately hopeful tale about a poor Indian boy who competes for love and money on a TV game show.

Here’s a quick walkthrough into the profiles of the winners at the 81^st Academy Awards.

Best Actress : Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet was named best actress for her dramatic turn as a former Nazi prison guard who involves herself in a love affair with a teenage boy in “The Reader.” She fought back tears when accepting her trophy and remembered a time as an 8-year-old when she dreamed of winning one of the world’s top film award. Read More ....

Best Actor: Sean Penn

Sean Penn won the best actor Oscar on Sunday for his portrayal of slain San Francisco gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the movie “Milk.” Penn,picked up the second Oscar of his career, the first being his 2004 win for his lead role as a grieving father in “Mystic River.” Read More

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

'Slumdog Millionaire,' the movie about a poverty-raised tea boy who goes on a game show as a way to find his lost love, takes home the Best Picture award and leads all films with eight Oscars at the 81st annual Academy Awards. Read More

Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger gives one of the best performances of his regrettably short life as a nihilist super villain in clown paint in 'The Dark Knight.' The Joker was his final completed role, a casting choice that initially drew scorn from fans who thought Ledger would not be up to the task given Jack Nicholson's gleefully campy rendition of the character in 1989's 'Batman.'Read More

Best supporting actress: Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Penelope Cruz claimed the evening's first prize, supporting actress, for her role as a tempestuous artist in Woody Allen's Spanish romance 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona”. It's the fifth time an Allen film has earned a performer a supporting-acting honor. Read More

Best Director: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Danny Boyle was the clear favorite to win the Oscar, having already amassed awards from bellwether groups, such as the Directors Guild of America. “Slumdog Millionaire” marks a rare mainstream hit for Boyle, who rose to fame with the grim 1996 drugs tale ”Trainspotting.” Read More

The Complete List of Winners