Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle has come to the rescue of childstars Mohammed Azharuddin Ismail and Rubina Ali after they were left homeless following a slum clearing drive by Mumbai authorities.

Boyle has bought a new home for Ismail, who played young Salim in the Oscar winning film, and is planning to do the same for Rubina.

After the huge success of Slumdog Millionaire, the film bosses had established the Jai Ho Trust last year (2008) to help fund their education. However, the kids’ recent plight compelled Boyle and producer Christian Colson to fly to Mumbai this week to see how they could help the young stars.

At a meeting in the city’s JW Marriott hotel, Boyle announced he’s purchased a new home for Ismail and is planning to do the same to put a roof over Ali’s head too. “The homes are a concern. That is one of the reasons why we built the trust,” Contactmusic quoted Boyle as saying.

A spokesman for the Jai Ho Trust describes Ismail’s new apartment as “comfortable, in a good neighbourhood (and) near his school”, with the property costing “upwards of two million rupees” – 42,000 dollars.

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