PTI
London, Apr 20: The father of Slumdog Millionaire child star, Rubina Ali Qureshi, tried to sell her for 200,000 pounds in his bid to cash in on the celebrity status of his "Oscar child", a British newspaper claimed on Sunday.
Nine-year-old Rubina shot to fame by playing the young Latika in Danny Boyle's film, which picked up eight Oscars besides earning millions at the box office.
The film depicts the heartwarming story of a Mumbai slumdweller, who escapes the Mumbai slums by winning USD 20 million in the Indian version of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?'. Rubina and Azharudding Ismail were picked from a Mumbai slum to play the young protagonists in the film.
And now, Rubina's father Rafiq Qureshi wants 200,000 pounds (USD 400,00) by putting his daughter up for illegal adoption, the News of The World reported.
Rafiq alleged that he was forced to sell his daughter as his family did not get anything from the filmmakers.
"We've got nothing out of this film," said Rafiq while trying to fix the illegal adoption deal, "It's £200,000!," he told the reporters, who were posing as fake Dubai sheik.
When the reporters objected to the huge amount Rafiq's brother insisted, "The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!"
"I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future," Rafiq said.
News of The World said that they came to know about Rafiq's plan by a former neighbour, who told them that Rubina's father was desperate to sell his daughter to the highest bidder in his effort to escape the life of Bandra slum and he was in touch with a Middle East family for the same.
When contacted, Rafiq confirmed the news and put them in contact with his brother-in-law Rajan More.
"Why don't you speak to my brother-in-law, Rajan, and he will discuss it with you? I will ask him to call you."
Rubina's uncle Rajan More said, "Yes, we are interested in securing our girl's future. Rubina's life is miserable and she lives here with her stepmother. Most of the time she stays with me because she is not happy at her parents' home.
"Obviously if you wanted to adopt we could discuss this, but her parents would also expect some proper compensation in return. We are talking of around 50,000 pounds for this to happen," More added.
"Whatever you have discussed with Rajan, I agree with. Whatever money is agreed by Rajan, I will accept," Rafiq told the reporters without inquiring about the background of his daughter's would be new family.
"We can discuss everything about this deal when we meet. There's a lot of interest in Rubina, she's become very famous," he added.
Rafiq met the reporters in the luxurious Leela Kempinski hotel at 11.35pm with Rubina, Rajan More, Rafiq's brother Mohiuddin, a friend Dinesh Dubey and two young nephews.