The father of one of Slumdog Millionaire's child stars has denied a report that he tried to sell his daughter for millions of rupees.
Rubina Ali. Photo: Reuters
Rafiq Qureshi put up Rubina Ali - who plays young Latika in the film - for adoption, and demanded 200,000 pounds ($410,000) in exchange, the News of the World said.
Reporters from the British tabloid said they had heard Mr Qureshi was interested in having Rubina adopted to improve his family's situation, and pretended to be agents for an Arab sheikh interested in the girl.
During what were supposedly negotiations, Mr Qureshi's brother also reportedly said: "The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child."
The News of the World said Mr Qureshi told its reporters the family - who live in Mumbai's slums - had not been properly looked after despite Slumdog Millionaire's box-office success.
"I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future," he said.
"They haven't looked after us. They gave some money at the start but they gave us nothing afterwards." The News of the World published photos and videos of Mr Qureshi supposedly negotiating with its undercover reporters over the adoption.
But Mr Qureshi has denied trying to sell his daughter.
Read More >>
Rubina Ali. Photo: Reuters
Reporters from the British tabloid said they had heard Mr Qureshi was interested in having Rubina adopted to improve his family's situation, and pretended to be agents for an Arab sheikh interested in the girl.
During what were supposedly negotiations, Mr Qureshi's brother also reportedly said: "The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child."
The News of the World said Mr Qureshi told its reporters the family - who live in Mumbai's slums - had not been properly looked after despite Slumdog Millionaire's box-office success.
"I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future," he said.
"They haven't looked after us. They gave some money at the start but they gave us nothing afterwards." The News of the World published photos and videos of Mr Qureshi supposedly negotiating with its undercover reporters over the adoption.
But Mr Qureshi has denied trying to sell his daughter.
Read More >>
