Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, child star of the hit movie Slumdog Millionaire, looks through a video camera as his father, Mohammed Ismail, poses for him outside their slum home in Mumbai, India. Azharuddin's mother, Shameem Ismail, in the red sari, looks on. (Gautam Singh/Associated Press)

Mohammed Ismail, the father of Slumdog Millionaire child actor Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, has died after a long battle with tuberculosis.

Ismail had been an outspoken critic of the film's producers and director Danny Boyle. He said the filmmakers had abandoned both his son and child co-star Rubina Ali after the film's shoot. Both the children's families live in Mumbai's slums.

The Guardian newspaper reports Ismail died on Friday and that Azharuddin, 10, didn't learn of the death until he had returned home from school.

"The fact that a poor man's child has made such a name for himself, that's what makes me most happy," Ismail had once told reporters.

Azharuddin, his mother, his brother and his brother's wife moved into a new apartment two months ago, paid for by a foundation set up by Celador films, the Jai Ho Trust. The apartment will be transferred to Azharuddin once he turns 18.

The trust also provides funds for the education of the children.

Continued to live in slum

Until a few days before his death, Ismail continued to live in the Garib Nagar slum, a short distance away from the apartment.

He said he had to remain there to continue his business of selling scrap wood and didn't want to be away from his friends, according to the article.

Azharuddin had earned a small amount for his appearance in the popular movie, which has grossed more than $1 billion US globally since its release in the fall of 2008. All of the child's original earnings went to the care of his father.

In February, all the child actors and main performers joined the film's producers and Boyle at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

Ismail also hit the headlines this year when he slapped his son in front of reporters after Azharuddin refused to speak to the media upon his return from the Oscars. Azharuddin has said he deserved to be disciplined.

Slumdog Millionaire garnered eight Oscars, including best picture and best director.