Slumdog Filmmakers Donate Thousands to Mumbai Charity

According to the Associated Press, Christian Colson, one of the producers of the Oscar-winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire, confirmed the donation and described the amount as being in the high seven figures.

"The bottom line," he said via email, "is that some of the beneficiaries of the film's success have got together to make a donation which will be channeled into relatively small communities where it can hopefully have a lasting impact."

The money, which is being distributed via the non-profit charity, Plan, will be used to educate over 5,000 slum kids over five years. Plan has been active in India since 1979.

In addition, Colson confirmed the presence of a trust fund for the movie's child stars, Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who grew up in a slum not far from the bright lights and bustling traffic of Bollywood. The Jai Ho Trust will assist the pair in receiving a good education, adequate housing and other necessities. Three trustees with experience in social services have been appointed to oversee the trust. Under the terms of the trust, the children will not be allowed to access the money until they graduate from high school.

Since the film premiered, the directors and producers of Slumdog have been under fire from social activists and critics who have accused them of refusing to share the profits from the movie with the poverty of India's poor and also for exploiting Ali and Azharuddin to give the film dramatic effect.

In addition to winning applauds from film critics and fans alike, Slumdog Millionaire grossed over $300 million worldwide since 2008.