Already media-savvy from intense coverage after the film's success, Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubina Ali patiently waved and posed for photographers as they stepped into the arrival hall at Hong Kong's international airport.

Several dozen photographers from Hong Kong's celebrity-obsessed press corps swarmed the children as they made their way to a brief welcoming ceremony nearby, with 10-year-old Azhar riding on their baggage cart.

A guardian traveling with the children shielded them from interviews, but 9-year-old Ayush - whose character in the movie famously jumps down from an outhouse so he can rush to an Indian film star to get his autograph - said he wanted to visit Hong Kong Disneyland.

The three stars are due to sing and dance at a live broadcast on Saturday to raise funds for the Hong Kong charity The Community Chest and stage performances at two shopping malls on Sunday.

'Slumdog Millionaire' is about an orphan from the shantytowns of Mumbai who becomes the champion of the Indian version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' and reunites with his childhood love.

British director Danny Boyle cast real-life children from Mumbai's slums in the movie, including Azhar and 10-year-old Rubina. Ayush did not grow up in the slums. But some critics have accused the filmmakers of exploiting Azhar and Rubina, and efforts to improve their living conditions have been complicated by the changing demands of their families and jealousy from their neighbors.

Fearing that a lump-sum payment would be squandered, the filmmakers set up a trust fund for the two children that aims to provide them with a good education, housing and social support. They also donated $747,500 to a charity devoted to improving the lives of Mumbai street children.

The filmmakers and Indian government officials have also promised them new homes to replace their shanties that were destroyed as part of a city slum-clearing campaign.

The Community Chest publicist Louie Tong said the charity is covering the children's travel expenses and lodging at a luxury hotel, but it is only paying them a small honorarium for their performances. Tong would not reveal the amount. -- AP