Source: Hueiyen News Service / Agencies
London, April 19 2009:
The father of Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina Ali Qureshi tried to sell her for �200,000 in his bid to cash in on the celebrity status of his 'Oscar child', a British newspaper claimed on Sunday.
Nine-year-old Rubina shot to fame by playing the young 'Latika' in Danny Boyle's film, which picked up eight Oscars besides earning millions at the box office.
The film depicts the heart-warming story of a Mumbai slum dweller, who escapes the slums by winning $20 million in the Indian version of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?'.
Rubina and Azharuddin Ismail were picked from a Mumbai slum to play the young protagonists in the film.
And now, Rubina's father Rafiq Qureshi wants �200,000 ($400,00) by putting his daughter up for illegal adoption, the News of The World reported.
Rafiq alleged that he was forced to sell his daughter as his family did not get anything from the filmmakers.
"We've got nothing out of this film," said Rafiq while trying to fix the illegal adoption deal, "It's �200,000!," he told the reporters, who were posing as fake Dubai sheikhs.
When the reporters objected to the huge amount, Rafiq's brother insisted, "The child is special now.
This is not an ordinary child.
This is an Oscar child!".
"I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future," Rafiq said.