LONDON (AFP, AlArabiya.net)
The father of "Slumdog Millionaire" child actress Rubina Ali tried to sell his nine-year-old daughter for adoption in a bid to escape the Mumbai slums, a British newspaper reported Sunday.
News of the World alleged that Rafiq Qureshi wanted 20 million rupees ($400,000) for the girl, who played the young Latika in the British hit film set in India.
"Slumdog Millionaire," a rags-to-riches tale of children from the slums of Mumbai, won eight Oscars in February, including the best picture Academy Award.
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Selling to secure future " Yes, we are considering Rubina's future " Rafiq Qureshi News of the World said its reporters posed as a wealthy family from Dubai, employing its regular "fake sheikh" sting tactic.
The weekly tabloid said a Mumbai informant told them that Qureshi was touting for the highest offer, having already been approached by a Middle Eastern family.
The newspaper published pictures of the actress, her father and uncle posing with their undercover reporter, plus video clips of Qureshi and his brother-in-law during their meeting last week.
"Yes, we are considering Rubina's future," Qureshi was quoted as saying.
He put the reporter in touch with his brother-in-law Rajan More.
"There's a lot of interest in Rubina. We are interested in securing our girl's future," the star's uncle was quoted as saying. |
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Proper compensation "If you wanted to adopt we could discuss this, but her parents would also expect some proper compensation in return. Whatever money is agreed by Rajan, I will accept," he said.
More and some other relatives met the British reporters in a Mumbai hotel where they said two or three monts are needed to negotiate a deal.
"It's 20 million rupees," the uncle was quoted as saying.
Qureshi proudly carried Ali through the Mumbai slums in February after she returned from the Oscar glory of Hollywood. |
