Overview
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail is an Indian actor best known for portraying the young Salim in the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle. He was cast from a Mumbai neighbourhood as part of the film's effort to use child actors with backgrounds similar to those of the characters.
Key facts
| Name | Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known for | Role of young Salim in Slumdog Millionaire (2008) |
| Based in | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Background
Azharuddin was a child resident of Mumbai when he was selected for Slumdog Millionaire. The casting team chose several first-time child actors from in and around the city's informal settlements to play the younger versions of the principal characters.
Career
In Slumdog Millionaire, Azharuddin played the younger version of Salim Malik, the elder brother of the protagonist Jamal. The film, an adaptation of Vikas Swarup's novel Q & A, was a critical and commercial success internationally and received multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Azharuddin appeared alongside fellow child actors Rubina Ali and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar.
Following the film's release, Azharuddin and several of the young cast members travelled to attend international promotional events and award ceremonies associated with the film.
Significance
Azharuddin's casting drew wider attention to the practice of recruiting non-professional child actors from underprivileged urban backgrounds for international productions filmed in India. His participation in Slumdog Millionaire contributed to the film's grounded portrayal of childhood in Mumbai.
Related topics
- Slumdog Millionaire
- Danny Boyle
- Rubina Ali
- Ayush Mahesh Khedekar
- Vikas Swarup
- Cinema of India
- Mumbai
References
- Wikidata entity: Q2875132