Monday, February 23, 2009

'Slumdog' celebrations fill Mumbai's crowded slums

MUMBAI, India – The narrow lanes of a teeming Mumbai slum are packed as friends and neighbors watch the Oscars and celebrate the hometown heroes nabbing of the ceremony's top award.

Two of the Indian child actors in "Slumdog Millionaire" were plucked from this desperately poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Mumbai to stars in the rags-to-riches tale that stormed the Academy Awards.

Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali, 9, were flown to Los Angeles for the ceremony, leaving their friends back home to gawk, beam, shout and dance in celebration.

"Slumdog" won eight Oscars, including best picture, best director, and two awards for best music.

Each time a new award was announced, children broke out their best Bollywood dance moves while the crowd cheered.

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