'Slumdog...' fame kid's father dies of tuberculosis

Mohmmed Azharuddin, who featured in the Oscar winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire', has lost his father in Mumbai, a family aide said Sunday.

'Ismail Shaikh had been suffering from advanced tuberculosis since past two years. He had a very painful death on Friday at his Santacruz home where the family had shifted a few months ago,' Dinesh Dubey, Azharuddin's business representative told IANS.

Shaikh, 46, is survived by his widow Shamim, son Azharuddin, an older son and two daughters.

Shamim said that Shaikh had neglected his health and was totally immersed in making a bright future for Azharuddin, especially after the 'Slumdog Millionaire' became an international box-office hit.

She said that Azharruddin did not know much about the serious health condition of his father since the family did not want him to ignore his professional advancements.

Director Danny Boyle of the film - which bagged 10 Oscars this year - has written to the family expressing his condolences and support to them in this hour of grief, she said.

He is expected to visit the family some time next month.