Rumours are rife in Bollywood that Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle was in Mumbai last week hoping to meet up with Aamir Khan with a view to casting him in his next movie. The director is said to be impressed with Aamir’s work and has shrugged off Aamir’s comment that Slumdog was over the top.
Danny was also in Mumbai to check up on the housing conditions for Slumdog Millionaire stars Azharruddin Ismail and Rubina Ali. “They are really wonderful kids who have been brought up in very difficult circumstances,” he said of the two young stars, “It has obviously been a very difficult period, but the best possible benefit that Slumdog Millionaire could ever give them is an education and we are very, very proud that they are making progress and have passed all their exams. Things are looking positive – they will be in their houses soon. I certainly hope this is the last time I have to speak to the media about Azhar and Rubina in this context.”
Danny will be heading the jury at the Shanghai International Film Festival along with actress Andie McDowell and Chinese superstar Andy Lau. Commenting on hid desire to make a movie in Shanghai, he said, “When you have a city that is full of people and stories like Mumbai, Beijing or Shanghai, it’s just so much excitement and potential for a filmmaker. It’s like a dream come true.” The Festival, which will run from June 13th to June 21st has had 600 feature films submitted to the organisers.
