A day after sweeping the Academy awards, Slumdog Millionaire producer Christian Colson is ensuring that the children featured in the film are not left to fight life’s battles on their own.

The producers are planning a stage musical of the eight-Oscar-winning film to raise funds for Mumbai’s slum kids.

A fund set up by the filmmakers has already generated close to Rs 3.6 crore for the children. And if plans for cover versions of Rahman’s songs came to fruition, the money raised could multiply many times over, he told The Times, London. The funds would be ploughed back into the slums where the movie was filmed.

Also, plans to safeguard the future of two children from the slums — Azharuddin Mohammed, 10, and nine-year-old Rubina Qureshi — who attended the Oscars  with six others from better off families, are being re-examined. He told The Times that producers wanted “something more professional” to be put in place.

“The profile of the film will remain high — we can’t assume attention on these children will drift away,” he said.

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Yesterday, Freida Pinto and the cast and crew of Slumdog Millionaire met up with executives of Fox Searchlight at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. They were all there to celebrate the eight Academy Awards the movie won during the ceremony on Sunday. Freida looked stunning in a yellow dress as she posed next to her co-stars.

Freida Pinto is featured on the cover of the March edition of Cosmopolitan India! On her very first editorial cover (!), Freida’s wearing a Christian Dior strapless dress and looking gorgeous in it (no surprise there!). When the magazine becomes available, you can be sure to see the scans here at Freida Pinto Fan!

There, I’m done with all the exclamation points. ;)

Thanks to High Heel Confidential we have a preview of the cover photo, which can be seen to the left. After the cut is an article about the Cosmopolitan feature, courtesy of Mail Today. Check it out.

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Earlier today, Oprah Winfrey took over the Oscar-stage and chatted with the winners, showed exclusive backstage material and more. Of course Freida Pinto, Dev Patel and Danny Boyle were there to continue their celebration! Stay tuned to Freida Pinto Fan for more coverage from this special event as it becomes available.

On this morning’s Today show, two segments with the stars of Slumdog Millionaire aired. One of them being interviews with Freida, Dev, Danny and Anil on the day of the Oscars (yesterday). The other one had the entire adult cast and crew of the movie chiming in on the staggering eight Oscars! In this second interview, Freida also revealed that she will be working with Woody Allen on her next project. Check them out right away!

• View first video here!

• View second video here!

A new project has been announced for Freida Pinto! She will follow her movie debut in Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire with a role in legendary filmmaker Woody Allen’s next picture.

Asked of the collaboration on US morning news programme Today, she says: “Yes, it’s up (begins) in July. So thank you, Danny Boyle, for helping me take off.”

I’m so incredibly happy for Freida! Hopefully more details regarding this project will be revealed soon. When they are, be sure to find them here on Freida Pinto Fan!

As promised, I have added three interviews from the red carpet to the video archive! They’re from the official pre-show, Access Hollywood and NDTV. Be sure to check them out by clicking on the names/links. More videos, from the show (where Freida presented) and perhaps a few more from the red carpet, are yet to come! In the meantime – Enjoy!

Update: Several new videos have been added! See all the Oscar-related videos listed below.

• Watch the Access Hollywood interview here!
• Watch the E! interview here!
• Watch the NDTV interview here!
  
• Watch the Pre-show interview here!
• Watch the TV Guide interview here!

• Watch the Governor’s Ball interview here!
  

• Watch the acceptance speech for Best Picture here!
  

Not only did Freida Pinto and the rest of the main cast and crew of Slumdog Millionaire – winner of eight Oscars! – attend the ceremony, but the official after party by Fox Searchlight as well! All of them seemed to enjoy themselves, as the party included lots of (Indian?) dancing. About 70 photos have been added to the gallery. Enjoy!

The 81st Annual Academy Awards was held at the Kodak Theatre in downtown Hollywood, CA, yesterday. Practically all the biggest stars right now were in attendance – including the entire cast of Slumdog Millionaire! Freida wore a royal blue one-sleeved John Galliano dress, looking absolutely stunning as she walked down the red carpet. She also shared that she had a 150-year-old diamond ring mined in India on her finger! Freida, along with Liam Neeson, also presented the award for Best Foreign Language Film to Departures.

I have added the first 201 photos from the arrivals, backstage, show and Governor’s ball. Stay tuned to Freida Pinto Fan for videos from both the red carpet and the show!

The 81st Annual Academy Awards is happening tonight at the The Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA! The red carpet is ready, and we’re all waiting for the stars – mainly Freida, though – to arrive. Stay tuned to Freida Pinto Fan as we will keep you updated on everything Freida/Slumdog Millionaire all night.

Read all the live updates after the cut!

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