'Slumdog' stars set up for life

'Slumdog Millionaire' child actor Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail Sheikh. Photo / AP

Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle says the film's child stars don't need a big bank balance because they have learned to speak English.

Boyle has also hit back at claims the young actors and actresses -
including Azharuddin Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali, nine, who live in the slums of western Mumbai - weren't paid enough for their performances.

He said: "We had long discussions about the best way to change their lives. Although we paid them well, that money has disappeared.

"We decided to put in place a long-term educational plan. Provided they finish their education they will receive a substantial sum of money. They are also going to be re-housed. But the most important thing is the kids go to school.

"The difference it will make to their lives is unbelievable and it's already made a phenomenal difference because they speak English. If you speak English in Mumbai your employment chances go up a hundredfold."

Danny - who won Best Director at the Oscars for the movie, which scooped eight accolades in total - is currently the toast of Hollywood, but isn't going to let success change him.

The filmmaker returned to his hometown of Radcliffe, North England, to show off his trophy over the weekend with his father Frank Boyle.

He said: "It's very easy to get lost in the glamour of it all.

"Some people want that and that's fine, there's nothing wrong with it. But I've always tried to make my films so people from this town, Radcliffe, can watch them."

- BANG! SHOWBIZ