From Slums to Spotlights

Si vous étiez présent sur cette planète en 2008, ou même en 2009, il est hautement improbable que vous n’ayez pas entendu parler du film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
Si votre accoutumance à l’actualité est un peu développé, il est même possible que vous ayez eu vent des scandales provoqués par les conditions de vie de deux enfants qui, après avoir joué dans le film,  continuaient à vivre dans un bidonville de Bombay.
Si votre intérêt à la fois pour l’Inde et pour le cinéma est particulièrement aiguisé, le nom du film ‘I am Kalam’ vous évoque peut-être quelque chose. Ce film indépendant, produit par une ONG et dont l’acteur principal est issu d’un bidonville de Delhi, a eu le droit a un certain succès, notamment en étant projeté dans plusieurs festivals internationaux dont celui de Cannes.
Comme premier article pour le magazine du master de journalisme de la Jamia Millia Islamia (université où j’étudie actuellement) j’ai choisi de m’intéresser à la vie de ces enfants qui, projetés subitement sur le devant de la scène, goutant le succès et touchant un monde de paillettes et de richesses, doivent ensuite revenir dans leur milieu d’origine…

From slums to spotlights

“Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcendent” said the former Indian President Dr AJP Abdul Kalam. These words introducing ‘I am Kalam’ set the tone of the film. It deals with the hopes and dreams of the children who barely have opportunities to achieve them.

This critically-acclaimed film has brought child labour and schooling to the fore, and also brought back the issue of slum children acting in films. Three years after ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the release of ‘I am Kalam’ in August is the occasion to point out anew the issue of slum actors and see how their lives have evolved after a successful movie.

Slumdog Millionaire actors: despite the success, their slum life has continued

Before 2008, Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail were just two of the 10 million people living in Mumbai slums. Due to their role in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ (as children Latika and Salim) they tasted fame and success.

In many aspects their lives have changed. They participated in a lot of international film festivals. Thanks to their performance and the number of awards won by the film (8 Academy Awards record, 7 BAFTA and 4 Golden Globes) they acquired an international recognition. Afterwards, the two young actors had proposals from Bollywood directors (e.g. Vashu Bhagnani).

Moreover, they have also been sent to school and Danny Boyle, the director of the film, announced that he would provide the expenses.

However, behind all the optimistic aspects, a gloomier side does exist. Indeed a lot of critics pointed out the underpayment of the two children. ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ made over $140 million at the box office. Yet Rubina and Azhar have not received anything apart their initial wages. And the money they got into a trust fund (£17,500 according to The Economic Times) is unusable before they turn 18.

In 2009, a controversy occurred when it was revealed that the two children were continuing to live in the same Mumbai shanties. The promise made in March 2009 by Indian local authorities to rehouse the children had not been kept. Finally the ‘Jai Ho Trust’ (set up by the director Danny Boyle) provided a new house to Azharuddin and his parents in July 2009.

Yet, in 2011 Rubina was still living in the Mumbai slum of Garib Nagar till her home got burnt down in March. It was only after the fire that she got rehoused by the ‘Jai Ho Trust’, three years after the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ release.

“I am Kalam”: an unfinished success story?

Harsh Mayar, main actor of 'I am Kalam', is from a Delhi slum

Harsh Mayar, main actor of the Independent film ‘I am Kalam’, has experienced quite the same path. Hailing from the slum of Dakshinpuri in South Delhi, the 13 years old boy has discovered a new world, notably thanks to the international interest given to this low-budget movie.

It was screened at the well-known ‘Festival de Cannes’ and received many awards in Los Angeles, Frankfort, Goa. In May 2011 the young boy even won the National Award for the Best Actor in Child Artist Category.

These rewards did not really occur by chance. In fact, Naveen Panchal (Fundraising Manager of the ‘Smile Foundation’) says that Harsh Mayar was eager to act from a young age. He already had some casting experience and had also participated in theatre workshops. As Naveen tells “it was a coincidence that the casting director (Bidhu Bhushan Panda) found both a good actor and an underprivileged kid”.

The ‘Smile Foundation’ has been taking care of Harsh Mayar for several years.  They have given him the opportunity to go to school. This NGO works against child labour by providing underprivileged children education and access to health. According to Naveen Panchal, ‘Smile Foundation’ has chosen to produce the film in order to “sensitize the privileged communities” to those issues.

Nevertheless, like the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ actors, Harsh Mayar has got new opportunities but his life has not yet fully changed. As he said in September 2011: “I am still living in the same house. But I want to move in Mumbai; like that it would be easier to act in Bollywood movies”. Hence leave his slum house appears as the best opportunity for him to start a real actor career.