Homes, stipends, benefits for their families and a trip to the U.S. they'll remember for the rest of their lives are magical things that happened to the child stars of 'Slumdog Millionaire'. If you were watching the film thinking they were just acting then your assumption is far from true.

These children really lived the slums. But now things are changing.

The child stars finally returned home after attending the Academy Awards in the U.S. where their film 'Slumdog Millionaire' earned 8 Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture. Desi Hits! caught some exclusive shots of the boys Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar who played young Salim and Jamal in the film.

It appears here that Azharuddin did not expect paparazzi to bombard him as they did upon returning to India. Just get a look at the expression on his face!

Young Ayush smiles upon a happy arrival home and looks refreshed. But maybe the spotlight is a little too overwhelming for these youngsters who are on the path from rags to riches.

The children of the film will come home to a new life. As we stated in the last article regarding them, their families will receive homes courtesy of the film which has crossed borders to create a new consciousness to the poverty in parts of India.

And although some critics of the film say the slums are over exaggerated in 'Slumdog Millionaire', the lives the child stars led prior to the film prove that there is a serious issue which still exists within India.
After getting past the crazed paparazzi you can see young Azharuddin holding up the victory sign. They overcame poverty. Or at least we can pray things truly work out for the young actors.

So how do you guys feel about this situation? Do you think it's a true victory for children from the slums?

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar who played young Jamal arriving home.

Victory for Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail who played Young Salim.

Azharuddin seems to have been caught off guard.