Father denies trying to 'sell Slumdog star'

A tabloid reports claims the father of a child actress in the film Slumdog Millionaire offered to sell her for $700,000. Photo / AP

The father of Slumdog Millionaire child actress Rubina Ali has denied he tried to sell his nine-year-old daughter for £200,000 (NZ$700,000) in an illegal adoption deal.

British tabloid News of the World reportedly uncovered an alleged plot by Mumbai-based Rafiq Qureshi to sell the Slumdog star to an undercover fake sheik for adoption.

Rubina played the young heroine Letika in the Oscar-winning movie which has propelled her to global fame.

Her father reportedly offered Ali to undercover reporters from the newspaper, explaining, "I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future." He allegedly blamed her movie star status for his decision to 'sell' her.

The child's uncle, Moihuddin Qureshi, allegedly told an undercover reporter: "The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child."

But Ali's father has now denied to the Daily Mail that he was trying to 'sell' his daughter, insisting that he was discussing a film role when he met with what turned out to be the newspaper's reporters.

"Rafiq was told to bring Rubina to the hotel, where a rich man wanted to discuss a job with him," a close family friend tells The Daily Mail.

"He happily agreed because Rubina can earn good money since her Slumdog success. She has had many movie offers. Rafiq didn't understand everything that was being said to him but he was happy to discuss money for a wellpaying job for his daughter. He loves her like any father loves his daughter."

However, another source tells the newspaper: "Rubina's family are furious that despite the film doing so well and their pretty daughter becoming so famous, they are still living in such rough conditions... Dad Rafiq is streetwise and knows that soon his daughter's success will be forgotten and her moment of fame will be over. He has a family to feed and simply can't afford it.

"He is keen to find a rich family to bring up Rubina but only if they are willing to help the whole family to get out of the slums."

Director Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson have set up funds for Ali and fellow Slumdog child star Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and their families, to help with their education and accommodation.

"Danny and I are committed to Rubina and Azharuddin for the long term. We are trying to keep a roof over their heads, and keep them in school until they are 18. The problem is there are a lot of parties who are telling the parents different things," Colson told The Daily Mail.

"We agreed to buy apartments a couple of months ago but that process stalled because they decided they wanted the money up front instead."

The film makers have also set up a trust fund which will mean a lump sum is given to each child when they turn 18.

- NZ HERALD ONLINE