MUMBAI, India — The slum kid stars of "Slumdog Millionaire" want a lot of things in life — new houses, a car, trips to London and Paris — but they aren't too interested in school.

Rubina Ali, 10, has missed nearly 75 percent of her classes, and her co-star hasn't done much better, truancy that filmmakers say will jeopardize their trust funds and monthly stipends if it continues.

Their parents blame the absences on deaths in the family or other misfortunes, including the demolition of Rubina's shanty by city authorities this year, and have promised to do better.

But the filmmakers say the children are being lured away by endorsement deals, television appearances and other opportunities to cash in on their celebrity — at the risk of losing the money set aside for them once they graduate.

"Our love got a little bit tougher today," "Slumdog" producer Christian Colson said Thursday.

"We understand there are opportunities for both kids, and for the parents of both children, to cash in, in the short term, on their celebrity. We don't have a problem with that. But if they want to benefit from the trust, they have to get those attendance rates up."

Beneath the debate about school is a deeper tug-of-war between the impoverished families' urge for as much short-term gain as possible and the filmmakers' desire to endow the children with a secure future.

Rubina and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 11, grew up in one of Mumbai's most wretched slums. They shot to fame after starring in the rags-to-riches blockbuster, which won eight Oscars. Rubina was cast as the young Latika, who grows up to become the hero's love interest. Azhar plays his brother Salim.

After filming ended, director Danny Boyle and Colson got the pair placed in a Mumbai school that helps disadvantaged children. But these days, Azhar is showing up to class just 37 percent of the time, and Rubina's attendance is only 27 percent, said Noshir Dadrawala, an administrator of the trust.

"It's pathetic," Dadrawala said, adding that a flurry of awards ceremonies, festivals and fashion shows that have taken the kids to Paris, Madras and elsewhere are detracting from their studies.

"They are constantly going. … That's fine, but go over the weekend, not at the sacrifice of school."

The parents were told Thursday that if the children do not get their attendance above 70 percent, they will lose their monthly $120 stipend. And if the kids fail to graduate, they will forfeit a lump-sum payment set aside to help them get a start in life, Dadrawala said.