It’s been 18 years since ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ took the world by storm. The film, directed by Danny Boyle, cast three young actors from Mumbai’s slums: Ayush Mahesh Khedekar (young Jamal), Rubina Ali (young Latika), and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (young Salim). While the film brought fame, the actors’ journeys after the spotlight have been vastly different.
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, now 25, continues to pursue acting. He has been in the industry since age four and keeps a low profile, with his Instagram account set to private.
Rubina Ali, who played young Latika, now lives in Mumbai and works as a makeup artist. After completing a fashion design course in 2020, she opened her own salon in 2022 and got married in 2023.
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who portrayed young Salim, faced challenges despite initial support. Though he received a home and early opportunities—including a role in Kal Kisne Dekha Hai (2009)—he later lost his trust funds and business ventures, forcing him to return to a modest life near Bandra East.
During filming, the production company had set up a trust to secure the child actors’ earnings until they turned 16 and even arranged daily school transport. Despite fame and Oscars for composer A.R. Rahman, life after the film has been a mix of fortune and struggle for the young stars.
‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
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