Slumdog star Rubina's case closed

"Slumdog Millionaire" fame child actor Rubina Ali's (pictured above) father Rafiq Qureshi has officially been cleared by Indian police over allegations that he attempted to sell his daughter.

Qureshi was quizzed by the police in Mumbai on April 20 after British newspaper News of the World alleged he offered to auction off the nine-year-old for 200,000 pounds to get rid of poverty and become an overnight millionaire, reports contactmusic.com

The accused protested his innocence throughout the scandal, claiming that the story was a "lie made up by foreign journalists playing games with me".

Authorities on the other hand, have failed to find any evidence to back up the accusation announcing that they have dropped their investigation into the case.

"There is not any crime. The matter is closed. No money changed hands. Rubina is here. There is no crime," said senior police officer Rahim Shaikh.
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Slumdog Millionaire - DVD Review

MOVIE DETAILS

Cast: Anil Kapoor, Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan, Frieda Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Rubiana Ali, Tanay Chheda, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar
Director: Danny Boyle
Producer: Christian Colson, Tessa Ross, Paul Smith
Music: A.R.Rahman
Lyrics: A R Rahman, Gulzar, Tanvi, Raqueeb Alam, Blaaze

THE FILM

Ok, so let's be honest about this one. Majority of us who watched the film and then formulated an opinion about Slumdog-Millionaire did so way before its theatrical release in India. Which simply translates into the fact that we saw it on a pirated DVD (or online 'unpaid' version). There is a good and a bad connotation to it.

Good - We all were quite excited about knowing what Slumdog Millionaire was all about and hence could hardly wait for it to arrive in theatres.
Bad - Because we not just contributed to piracy but also robbed the film of a few crores extra that it could have earned had it been seen directly in cinemas.

So why am I am talking about the relevance of buying the original DVD here rather than talking of Slumdog Millionaire - The Film! Because till date, every Ramu, Rani and Rambo has seen (or at least heard) what the film is all about and there is no single soul left on the planet earth (at the least the kind that loves to watch any movie with an Indian connect to it) who is unaware what Slumdog Millionaire is all about.

In fact I have an interesting anecdote to quote here. In my January trip to Far East Asia, I met a bunch of college going kids in a tube (train). I was with some friends of mine and was looking for directions. During the course of our conversation, I brought up the topic of Bollywood.

'Have you heard about Shah Rukh Khan?' Answer - 'No'
'Have you heard about Amitabh Bachchan?' Answer - 'No'
'Have you heard about Akshay Kumar?' Answer - 'No'
'Have you heard about Bollywood - The film industry from India?' Answer - 'India, the same country from which a film called Slumdog Millionaire is being talked about? Heard it has chances of Oscar nominations, am I right?'

All I could do was nod in admiration!

And this conversation was way before Oscar short listing was held! So yes, when the film had already reached every nook and corner of the film watching world, the buzz was pretty much palpable.

And why not? After all the film was (and continues to be) as euphoric as it gets with every right answer in the game show making you spill that popcorn. The narrative that oscillated between past and present was as innovative as it gets. Anil Kapoor's characterization too was as wicked as it gets. And the kids made you wonder if they should return in front of camera in quick time or should they complete their studies in next few years and then come back as matured human beings as well as professionals.

Of course there have been debates and there would be debates about the music of Rahman being the best ever by him that deserved the Oscars! Well, of course most Indians would agree that he has come up with better soundtracks in the past but the fact remains that at the end of the day, it is Slumdog Millionaire that has made him a household name.

So just for this very fact, even though it sounds as clichéd (and routine as well as predictable) as it gets, let's say 'Jai Ho' to that!

PACKAGING

Slumdog Millionaire comes in a soft box packaging. However, one expected it to be much lavish in appeal considering the film has won 8 Oscars for itself. However, that's not the case as on the stands, it is visible as just another DVD rather than anything which is exclusive.

DURATION

The film's duration is ~120 minutes

SPECIAL FEATURES

The film comes with the bonus features that include:

- The Making of the Film
- The Premier

Special Features are clearly disappointing in case of Slumdog Millionaire. The least one would have expected from this multiple Oscar winning film was 'Director's Commentary', some true 'Behind the Scenes' segments, glimpses of the actual production and 'Deleted Scenes'. However, none of that is included in the 'Special Features' which merely comes with a routine 'Making of the Film' segment where all you get to hear are mini interviews of Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan and Anil Kapoor with bytes from A.R. Rahman, Dev Patel and 'Frieda Pinto'.

Comparatively, there is still some excitement generated from the 'The Premier' segment since you get to see and hear a horde of celebrities talking about the film on the eve of the film's release in Mumbai. If you are star struck then this one belongs to not-to-be-missed category as you get to witness a huge range that goes as Anil Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Genelia D'Souza, Sushmita Sen, Tusshar Kapoor, Chunky Pandey, Vidya Balan, Sonam Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Kirron Kher, Hrithik Roshan, Jiah Khan, Arshad Warsi, Ambanis, Zeenat Aman, Sridevi, Danny, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Neha Dhupia, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Gulshan Grover, Ranbir Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Saira Bano, Shabana Azmi and many more.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
- Subtitles in English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo

PRICE

Rs. 399/=

CONCLUSION

The point is plain and simple: We have seen the film on pirated DVDs; now let's do the film some favour and give it back what it truly deserves - 'Let's buy the original DVD'. Not just is the original DVD far better in picture quality, it also carries a much better sound quality; something that lends the film a much better cinematic experience.
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NRI sponsors Rubina

Moved by media reports that Slumdog Millionaire’s child actor Rubina was allegedly being sold off to a sheikh from Saudi Arabia for an exorbitant amount, an NRI businessman has stepped in to help her shape her own future. And what better way than through education!

A R Vanoo from Doha, Qatar, says he is willing to fund Rubina’s schooling in any part of the world, upto a master’s degree or even a doctorate, if she wishes to pursue her studies. With money clearly not an issue, the wellwisher is even open to her studying at an IB (International Baccalaureate) school, known to charge steep fees.

Vanoo visited Rubina’s home on Tuesday morning, and met her father and relatives. He spent around an hour with them over a cup of coffee. He held a detailed discussion to understand the requirements of the family before committing himself. “I have not seen Slumdog Millionaire, but know it’s won several Oscars. Three days ago, when I watched television reports about Rubina’s father allegedly trying to sell her off, it disturbed me deeply. I have a young daughter, and I could not watch her suffer so much.”

Though Vanoo was born and brought up at Vakola in Santacruz, which isn’t far from Bandra’s Garib Nagar where Rubina lives, he said he had never visited the area before. It was about 25 years ago that Vanoo shifted to the Gulf in search of a job, before deciding to settle there. He runs a successful business in petrochemicals, oil and gas exports and visits Mumbai often on business trips.

With a father, who Vanoo says was a freedom fighter, he has been closely working with NGOs for several years. He is an advisor to Anjuman-Ittehad-Ul-Mushtaqeem, an NGO that that works to educate people in rural areas. It is through this NGO that Vanoo will give money for Rubina’s education.

“Vanoo is an MBA graduate and has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and contributes to several NGOs but never really interacts directly with the people he helps. He, however, made an exception with Rubina,” said Kamal Mandlekar, president of the NGO.

He added that Vanoo did not want to set aside a fixed amount for the girl. “He doesn’t want to limit himself. He’s decided to open a joint account in the name of Rubina and our NGO. The money will be used to pay for her education, uniforms and other schoolrelated requirements.”

Last week, there had been media reports about a sting operation carried out by a British newspaper, News of the World, which claimed Rubina’s father had tried to extract money from a sheikh who had sought to adopt her. Rubina’s father had denied the claims. But Mandlekar preferred to stay away from the controversy. “We do not want to get involved in the case. We only want to help a bright girl shape her future,” he said.
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Slumdog star's mother files a police complaint

"Slumdog Millionaire" fame Rubina Ali's mother Khushi on Sunday (April 19) afternoon lodged a complaint with police following media reports that her estranged husband allegedly attempted to 'sell' their daughter, a police official said.

"She was very upset by the media reports and she came to lodge a compliant. We are registering her grievance and then we'll investigate and decide what further steps should be taken in the matter," Prakash Salunkhe, who heads the Nirmal Nagar police station, told IANS here Sunday evening.

Following the complaint, police summoned Rubina, 9, and her father Rafiq Qureshi to the police station, he added.

"When we questioned Rubina, she said she does not want to go anywhere, and wants to live with her father. Similarly, Rafiq Qureshi also said that he has no intentions of 'selling' her, as reported in the media," Salunkhe said.

Khushi expressed shock over reports that her ex-husband was planning to sell Rubina for 200,000 pounds (over Rs.14 million).

"Although my elder daughter Sanaa had informed me about the matter almost two weeks ago, I did not believe he (Qureshi) would actually agree to it," Khushi told IANS.

She alleged that Qureshi and his second wife Meena were always "crazy for money" and now that Rubina has achieved international fame, they want to capitalise on it at any cost.

A British news website, News of the World, had reported that Qureshi wanted to get rid of poverty and become a millionaire by selling his nine-year old daughter, after it conducted a sting operation.

It reported that in a bid to escape slum life, Rafiq Qureshi has put Rubina up for adoption, demanding 200,000 pounds.

Rafiq offered the shocking deal to the News of the World's undercover reporters posing as a wealthy family from Dubai.

He told the fake sheikh this week: "I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

Rafiq tried to blame Hollywood bosses for forcing him to put his daughter up for sale. As he tried to fix the illegal adoption deal, Rafiq declared: "We've got nothing out of this film."

Then, almost embarrassed to speak it out loud, he whispered to an accomplice the price tag he has put on his daughter: "It's 200,000 pounds."

That was an astonishing four-fold increase on his opening demand. But Rafiq's equally demanding brother Mohiuddin insisted: "The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!"

Meanwhile, though they have attained 'celebrity' status and are in constant media glare, there is no improvement in their living conditions, making their families extremely frustrated, said Qureshi's neighbour and friend Yakub Abdul Sheikh.

The families continue to live in abject poverty in temporary shelters near a municipal garden in Garib Nagar after their slums were demolished last year by civic authorities.

Sheikh pointed out that although the Maharashtra government had promised to allot flats to them, the proposal was stuck because of Lok Sabha elections.

Rubina's mother has also demanded that Qureshi must account for the money the child earned from the movie and added that it should be spent to admit her to a good hostel.

"That money should be put aside in a separate deposit in Rubina's name and she should be admitted to a good hostel. She can be taken care of and can also pursue her studies and acting career simultaneously," Khushi said.
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Rubina's estranged mom shocked over 'sale' reports

Neighbour claims father was 'misunderstood'

"Slumdog Millionaire" child star Rubina Ali's mother Khushi is aghast by reports that her ex-husband was prepared to sell their daughter for 200,000 pounds (over Rs.14 million), but said her elder daughter had informed her about the matter two weeks ago.

"Though my elder daughter Sanaa informed me of the matter almost two weeks ago, I did not believe he (Rafiq Qureshi) would actually agree to do this," a shocked Khushi told IANS in Mumbai on Sunday.

Khushi said that Qureshi and his second wife Meena were always "crazy for money".

"Now that my daughter has achieved international fame, they want to capitalise on it at any cost," she said.

British news website News of the World had reported that Qureshi wanted to get rid of poverty and become a millionaire by selling his nine-year-old daughter after it conducted a sting operation.

Qureshi demanded 200,000 pounds from the News of the World's undercover reporters who posed as a wealthy family from Dubai. He told the fake sheikh this week: "I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

While Qureshi's phone was constantly switched off, his neighbour and friend Yakub Abdul Sheikh confirmed that the incident had occurred a few days ago, but nobody really took it seriously as Rubina's father said he had been "misunderstood" by the foreigners.

"Qureshi later told me that since the foreigners were speaking in Arabic, he misunderstood what the interpreter was saying," Sheikh said.

Sheikh claimed that Qureshi had told him he had no intentions of giving away his daughter in adoption for 200,000 pounds to an Arab family as reported by the British media.

"Qureshi feels that the issue was blown out of proportion because of the miscommunication with the foreigners," Sheikh said.

Rubina's mother also said that Qureshi should be made to account for the money the nine-year-old had earned from the multiple Oscar-winning film and added that the money be spent to admit the girl to a good hostel.

"That money should be put aside in a separate deposit in Rubina's name and she should be admitted to a good hostel. She can be taken care of and can also pursue her studies and acting career simultaneously," Khushi said.
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SHOCKING! Slumdog star up for sale!

Rubina Ali's father asks for 200,000 pounds

"Slumdog Millionaire" child star Rubina Ali's father plans to get rid of poverty and become a millionaire by selling his nine-year-old daughter, a British news website reported after conducting a sting operation.

Newsoftheworld.co.uk reports that in a bid to escape slum life, Rafiq Qureshi has put Rubina up for adoption, demanding 200,000 pounds.

Rafiq offered the shocking deal to the News of the World's undercover reporters posing as a wealthy family from the Gulf.
He d the fake sheikh this week: "I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

Rafiq tried to blame Hollywood bosses for forcing him to put his daughter up for sale.

As he tried to fix the illegal adoption deal, Rafiq declared: "We've got nothing out of this film."

Then, almost embarrassed to speak it out loud, he whispered to an accomplice the price tag he has put on his daughter: "It's 200,000 pounds", he was quoted as saying by the website.

That was an astonishing four-fold increase on his opening demand. But Rafiq's equally demanding brother Mohiuddin insisted: "The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!"

Rafiq, who stays in the Bandra slum sprawl of Mumbai, is reportedly desperate to cash in on his daughter's success in the multiple-Oscar winning film by selling her to the highest bidder.
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