The father of Slumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali has denied putting his daughter up for adoption (or, as the rest of the world says, "sale") to the BBC.
Over the weekend, UK paper News of the World reported he was asking £200,000 (nearly $300,000) for his 9-year-old daughter. I'd like to say it wasn't as sinister as it sounds, but, basically, it was.
Allegedly, it started innocently enough. A Middle Eastern family moved by Rubina's story offered to adopt her, you know, like Madonna does (their words). While this was pretty presumptuous, at least it was well-intentioned: they wanted her to escape the Mumbai ghetto. But the offer sowed an idea into her father's head, and now he's looking to reap bigger rewards.
News of the World reporters contacted Rubina's uncle, telling him they worked for a wealthy sheik in Dubai. (He speaks English on her father's behalf and agreed to meet them.) While her uncle said they were concerned — or "interested" — in the girl's future, he did not ask for the sheik's name, intentions, or background.
"We can discuss everything about this deal when we meet," he said. "There's a lot of interest in Rubina, she's become very famous."
Principles
Issa
Alviero Martini
It all sounds Sketchy for sure. I dont think the parents have this girls best interests at heart.
1"like Madonna does", what an odd thing for them to say.
I hope it all works out for this little girl, I would hate to think what would have happened if it was a real person interested in "buying" her.
2If this is true I hope he is prosecuted.
3Umm, I don't think Tres is presenting the whole story here. Apparently, no money was exchanged, and in an interview with BBC, Rubina's father said that he first thought the Arab family was just trying to help Rubina out, but once we realized they wanted to keep her with them, he backed out of the deal. It's only after he declined taking the money that this story of 'selling' Rubina came out. (BBC news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8008359.stm)
Granted, I don't know what actually happened, but I still feel that the media is really taking advantage of this girl and her family. I feel really bad for them!
4this is inviting the sketchiest people to actually adopt this child....because for an "investment" of 300K they will be able to pimp her out for acting money for years and years, thereby making return on their investment
not that her dad isn't sketchy too...this kid has no chance!
5She's precious.
6While I don't think this sounds like a good idea in any sense, I can understand why things like this happen [because let's face it, selling your kids off happens in some parts of the world, for many different reasons, some altruistic, some not]. His daughter is too famous for him not to expect something in return for his daughter being "adopted" [if this exploration did happen] - that's pretty sketchy.
7god what is the world coming to.
8geez, if people are willing to pay that much to give her a better life, I bet they'd be better parents than THIS guy.
9The people who said they wanted to adopt her weren't for real! They were reporters under cover.
10this is sad..I hope this girl is safe and with people who care for her and won't pimp her out. I agree this is a sad world when stuff like this happens
11this might be scarring for her when she grows up and can search for herself online
12What a country. Most of us cannot imagine such poverty.
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