The REAL stars of the Academy Award winning film Slumdog Millionaire made their way down to Anaheim, CA yesterday to celebrate their Best Picture win at Disneyland! Ayush Mahesh Khedekar (who played Young Jamal), Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail Sheikh (who played Young Salim), Rubina Ali Rafiq Qureshi (who played Young Latika), Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar (who played Middle Latika), Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala (who played Middle Salim), Tanay Hemant Chheda (who played Middle Jamal) and Madhur Mittal ( who played older Salim) got to visit the famed theme park that most children around the world dream they could visit. I can only imagine what a thrill it must’ve been for these kids in particular to get to go to Disneyland … which I’m sure was much more exciting for them then it was to win an Academy Award. Here are a couple group shot photos of the kids at Disney yesterday:

It’s been a whirlwind few days for the children of “Slumdog Millionaire,” which Sunday scooped up the best picture Oscar. In the four days the children have spent in the U.S., the young stars have been swarmed by paparazzi, met celebrities including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and partied the night away after their film claimed eight Academy Awards But they’ve also had some amusement park fun. Tanay Hermant Chheda, Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwalan, Rubiana Ali, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail Sheik and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar made their first-ever trip to Universal Studios on Friday, checking out the rides and movie-making action. And on Monday, the seven youngsters headed to Disneyland, where they rubbed elbows with Disney stars, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse. On Tuesday, the group will return to India, where celebrations are being planned for the movie’s Oscar wins. The children, two of whom were plucked from the slums of Mumbai for their roles, are being paid a monthly stipend from the film’s producers. They also have trust funds set up, which they will reportedly receive after graduating from school.

OMG, how fun! Disneyland is a treat for kids of any age so I’m sure these kids had the time of their lives. It’s a shame that Dev Patel and Freida Pinto didn’t join them … I know they would’ve had a great time, too. After the jump, check out a few candid shots of the kids as they enjoyed their day at Disneyland …

I love it! They got Mickey Mouse himself to be their personal chaperone thruout the park. Even tho these kids starred in the Best Picture of 2008, they STILL didn’t get treated in the same manner that a certain little robotic alien child did when she got to visit Disney World in Florida last week … so not fair. In any event, I’m sure these kids are very grateful for their experience and prolly wouldn’t want to change places with anyone right now. I hope they are really enjoying themselves these days … they really have earned all (and more) that they are getting right now.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin; Source]