Rubina and Azhar will fly to LA with their relatives for the Oscars and will be put up in a five-star hotel for two days by Fox Searchlight. The film, about an 18-year-old boy’s rags-to-riches story, has already won accolades at the Golden Globes and the BAFTA, and been nominated in 10 categories at the Oscars, including Best Film and Best Director.

Azhar’s elated mother, Shameem Ismail, is accompanying him. “Neither Shah Rukh Khan nor Salman Khan has ever been able to go for the Oscars, but my Azhar has made it. God has been kind on him.” Shameem, blind in one eye, hopes his son will get them out of the slums into a decent life. They now live in a makeshift home of tarpaulin sheets and sarees in the Behrampada shanty area, after their illegal shanty was demolished by the authorities.

Azhar, who plays little Salim in the movie, is excited about getting into an aircraft and is keen on meeting “Danny Uncle”. Ask him if he is scared of flying and he confidently says, “I’m not scared. I want to meet Danny Uncle there first.” Azhar idolises Salman Khan and wants to have a physique like him.

Azhar and Rubina have been busy shopping for the big day. “I want to click lots of pictures with big actors and show them to my friends,” she says, hurriedly trying on one of her dresses at her brightly lit home in the bylanes of the slum.