Rubina Ali’s father denies plans to sell her

The father of Slumdog Millionaire starlet Rubina Ali has denied plotting to sell her — insisting it was all a language misunderstanding. Rafiq Qureshi, 36, was reported yesterday to have put a price tag on the nine-year-old film star to buy his way out of poverty.

But a family source insisted: “Rafiq didn't understand everything that was said to him but he was happy to discuss money for a well-paying job for his daughter. She loves being in movies and the family need the money.''

And little Rubina, who played Latika in Slumdog Millionaire claimed there was a communications issue. Said Rubina: “We went to a hotel and met two people who did not speak Hindi. They said they wanted to adopt me but my father said no.''

Rafiq said: “Rubina is so precious to me — more than life itself. I could not even think of doing anything like that, let alone actually doing it. It is unbelievable.I have spent my life working to bring up my daughter and to try and make life good for her. Life is bad at the moment and of course I want us to get out of this slum. We are still waiting for the money and the apartment that was promised to us. But I would never agree to anything like that. Never.''

Labourer Rafiq, who works in the Bandra ghetto of Mumbai and his brother Mohiuddin were said to have met what they believed was a wealthy man from Dubai in a hotel.

Mohiuddin was reported to have said: “The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!'' He was said to have agreed for a fee brokered through Rubina's uncle, Rajan More, who speaks good English, to “adopt'' Rubina, but Rafiq was reported to have demanded four times that. Mohiuddin added: “It is not true. We'd never sell Rubina.''

A source close to the family said they were contacted by the wealthy man offering money for Rubina's acting skills. He said: “He happily agreed because Rubina can earn good money since her Slumdog success. She has had many movie offers, with good money offered.''

Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle has set up a trust for Rubina.