Slumdog kids head to Disney

More than Danny Boyle, more than the eight Oscars for the film he directed, Slumdog Millionaire, Hollywood's entertainment media was enchanted by the cast of Indian kids who added such energy to the movie.

And by the time the Academy Awards were done, the newly minted stars had gone from media shy to media savvy.

Actor Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar (middle Latika) says, “It was amazing. Fantastic, Incredible. Walking on the stage of Oscar's was fantastic. I'm lost for words because of giving so many interviews. Bored, saying the same things again and again.”

Nattily turned out in formal wear, with the boys' tuxedos supplied by upper crust label Brooks Brothers, the children worried about their appearances, like true celebrities.

Actor Tanay Chheda (Middle Jamal) says, “Anyways, I hope do I look good?”

But then, that could also be because they were mixing with Hollywood's elite.

Actor Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala (Middle Salim) says, “You get to meet amazing people. And you're already in shock because you've just won. And then you meet Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt together.

But most of all, the dominant emotion was wide-eyed joy.

Actor Rubina Ali (Little Latika) says, “Mujhe bahut achche lag raha han aaj, humne kabhi socha nahin tha kee hum log itne bade award mein ayenge (I am feeling great because I had never imagined of participating in such a big event).”

Certainly, for a couple of days at least, these kids made Hollywood their playground. And talking of playgrounds, the kids managed to enjoy themselves at Disneyland on Monday. That jaunt was paid for by Fox Searchlight, the studio behind Slumdog Millionaire.

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