London: In what may come as a shock, the father of Slumdog Millionaire actress, Rubina Ali Qureshi, allegedly tried to sell her for 200,000 pounds in an illegal adoption deal, a sting operation by a British tabloid has revealed.

Rafiq Qureshi demanded 200,000 pounds (USD 400,00) for Rubina from the reporters of the News of The World posing as agents of a rich Dubai Sheikh keen to adopt the 9-year-old child.

Rafiq alleged that he was forced to sell his daughter as his family did not get anything from the makers of the Slumdog Millionaire .

"We've got nothing out of this film," said Rafiq while trying to fix the illegal adoption deal, "It's "200,000!," he told the reporters.

When they objected to the huge amount, Rafiq's brother Mohiuddin insisted, "The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!"

"I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future," father Rafiq said defending his decision.

The weekly newspaper said that they decided to investigate the matter after being informed by a former neighbour of the child star, who told them that Rubina's father was desperate to sell his daughter to the highest bidder to escape the poverty of the Bandra slum.

The neighbour told the reporters that Rafiq was already in touch with a Middle East family, who were keen to adopt Rubina.

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Source : PTI