'Slumdog' children are school stars as well

The 'Slumdog Millionaire' child actors have passed their school exams with good results despite poor attendance.

Rubina Ali and Mohammed Azharuddin made the grade in an English language school in Mumbai. They will both move up to the second year at the institution when lessons resume next month.

The two stars, however, were at least three years older than their classmates, who started the academic year aged six.

Ali, who played the young Latika in the Oscar-winning film, received a string of A grades with nearly full marks in language and maths. She also did well in environmental studies, art and work experience, gaining a grand total of 521 of 600 marks in all subjects.

Azharuddin, on the other hand, settled for an overall B grade with 441 of 600 marks in all subjects. However, he attended lessons more often than his co-star, being present for 55 of the 111 school days against Ali’s 38.

The two made up for poor attendance with their marks and the school is proud of them. Dilbur Parakh runs Aseema, the voluntary organisation that manages the school.

“One must remember that Azhar and Rubina are older than the other children in their class. Still, their achievement is remarkable given the distractions they faced and the fact that they have not studied in the English medium before,” Ms Parakh told the Times of India.

A trust was set up by the movie’s producers to ensure nine-year-old Ali and 10-year-old Azharuddin both attend school.

Producer Christian Colson, who supports the trust along with director Danny Boyle, said: “Both Danny and I remain committed to working with the trust and the family.”

The Jai Ho trust issued a statement concerning the children’s education after it was set up last month. It said that education costs for both the young stars and their siblings would be provided for.

The two have also been promised a lump sum once they turn 18 years of age and a trained social worker to periodically counsel the children and their families.

Ali’s father Rafiq Qureshi said he would not take her out of school. “We have to keep her there, don’t we?” he said.

Mr Qureshi came under scrutiny recently when a sting operation by The News of the World said that he tried to sell his daughter to an Arabian family for £200,000 (€223,000). He has since denied the allegation.

'Slumdog Millionaire' won eight Oscars, seven Baftas, five Critics’ Choice awards and four Golden Globes. The film, based on a novel by Vikas Swarup, grossed more than £200m (€223m) worldwide.