'Slumdog' child artistes excited about US trip'

MUMBAI: In a few days, five little dreams may just come true. The child stars of Slumdog Millionaire will fly to Hollywood to be part of the Oscar ceremony. Rubina Ali (little Latika), a class I student, is jumping for joy. "I'm going to America for the Oscars and I hope we win,'' she says, her voice brimming with excitement. "I'm getting my passport tonight...and we've already won four Golden Globes,'' she rattles off.Rubina has already bought some clothes for the ceremony, "and the producers will buy me some too'', she adds.
Azharuddin Ismail, who has been the most controversial child star of the film, is also thrilled and wants to meet Danny Boyle with whom he had great fun on the sets. "I am going to America for the Oscar awards with the other children,'' says Azhar.
It's going to be Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar's first trip to the United States. "And it is so exciting that I'm going to the Oscar's on my very first visit,'' says the girl who played the teenaged Latika. Tanvi's father Ganesh Lonkar will accompany her. He says, "Fox Star Studio gave us a letter so getting a US visa was fairly simple. In fact, everyone at the consulate congratulated Tanvi for her Slumdog appearance.'' The Lonkars will be leaving on February 19 and will be away for 5 nights and 4 days. "The producers of the film have called for the measurements of her shoes and gown,'' said the excitjed father. He also said that Tanvi has been following the Oscars in the past, "But of course we're very excited to actually be in the midst of it all.''