Garib Nagar celebrates Slumdog's rich haul

It was celebration time for the Qureishi family and the residents of Garib Nagar after Slumdog Millionaire won as many as eight awards at the 81st Academy Awards early Monday morning.

It was celebration time for the Qureshi family and the residents of Garib Nagar after Slumdog Millionaire won as many as eight awards at the 81st Academy Awards early Monday morning.

Garib Nagar residents watch the ceremony on television. Pic/Atul Kamble

"From the time we came to know that the film has won so many awards, we have been celebrating along with the residents. We are bursting crackers and distributing sweets among the residents of Garib Nagar," said Rafiq Qureshi, father of Rubina, who played the role of young Latika in the movie.

"We kept awake throughout the night so that we don't miss the ceremony. We were glued to the television set," said Qureshi.

When asked about the future of his star daughter,u00a0Qureshi said, "She is very good at studies, therefore I will allow her to study further and also let her choose her field of vocation."

The family and the neighbourhood is waiting for Rubina's return. "Rubina wants us to prepare her favourite Biryani when she returns. She called me yesterday and told me that she was preparing for the award function and that she would call me once she lands at Mumbai airport," Qureshi said.

Slumdog Millionaire won eight awards, including the Best Picture and Best Director. It was for the first time that the three Indians that - AR Rahman, Resul Pookuty and Gulzar - won awards at a single Oscar ceremony.