Shanty homes of two Slumdog Millionaire child actors destroyed

Although the critically acclaimed, wildly popular Slumdog Millionaire won eight Oscars, the careers of its young adult stars have taken off, and the film contributed to a record collective total of $4 billion for British films last year, these successes didn't help the film's two child stars,  who had their homes destroyed this week.

First, authorities tore down actor Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail's shanty home in Mumbai on May 14 because it was illegally built. Ismail (who portrayed the lead character Salim as a child in the film) and his family were left on the streets.

Today, the Mumbai  shanty home of fellow actor Rubina Ali (who played the young version of Latika) was also  demolished. Her father was beaten by police when he attempted to save the house.

Although a trust fund has been set up by director Danny Boyle and the film's producer, a clinical psychologist pointed out in an Associated Press article that the money has to be  distributed carefully. The lack of money management skills, in addition to the risk of the children becoming targets of crime, are all potential dangers that could create, rather than solve, problems.