'Slumdog' children return to India

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Composer A.R. Rahman holds his Oscars for achievement in music for both original song and original score for the film "Slumdog Millionaire" backstage at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 22, 2009. (UPI Photo/Phil McCarten)
Composer A.R. Rahman holds his Oscars for achievement in music for both original song and original score for the film "Slumdog Millionaire" backstage at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 22, 2009. (UPI Photo/Phil McCarten) | License Photo

MUMBAI, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The child stars of "Slumdog Millionaire" have returned to India after attending the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles this week.

The film earned eight Academy Awards at Sunday's prize presentation. Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali, 9, attended the awards show, as well as parties that took place after it, then went to Disneyland the following day.

The Press Trust of India said they were given heroes' welcomes from family, friends, reporters and fans Thursday when they returned to India.

The youngsters were escorted by security through Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport and driven to their homes where neighbors waited to congratulate them on their success, setting off firecrackers and dancing to the Oscar-winning song "Jai Ho" in celebration, PTI said.

Indian housing officials said they plan to soon move the two children and their families out of the slums of Mumbai into new, government-funded homes.

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