The two slum children who starred in Slumdog Millionaire -- Azharuddin Ismail (10)u00a0and Rubina Ali -- took off for Los Angeles and the Oscars last night from the Mumbai International airport.

The day was spent preparing for the dream trip. After receiving the news that they could indeed go to the Oscars, Azharuddin and Rubina cruised Mumbai in an air-conditioned car yesterday, doing last-minute shopping and getting advice on the unimaginable: air travel.

"I feel very, very, very, very, very, very good," said Azharuddin, sitting across from his home, a scruffy lean-to of tarps and blankets. He'd never been on plane. He'd never travelled outside India. And, when pressed, he couldn't name any Hollywood stars he'd really like to meet.