Tattle: 'Slumdog' kid stars welcomed as heroes in Mumbai

WITH A domestic gross over $100 million and a case full of Oscars, the stars of "Slumdog Millionaire" are the toast of Hollywood.

In Mumbai, they're Lebron James, Beyonce, Brad Pitt and the Jonas Brothers all rolled into one.

The child stars returned home from the Oscars yesterday to a chaotic but rousing heroes' welcome, with dozens of armed police needed to escort them through the cheering crowds.

The four young Mumbians came out with arms around each others shoulders. The only girl, Rubina Ali, 9, clutched a small fluffy brown toy bunny.

They waved and blew kisses to the crowd, showing off their newly acquired red-carpet skills.

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, 8, who plays the youngest version of the film's main character, was hoisted onto someone's shoulders before the kids were whisked away in waiting cars.

More good news is that Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, the two children who were plucked from slums for parts in the film and were still living in squalor when they were taken to the Academy Awards, will receive new homes.

The BBC reported that as the children have brought honor to India, the government has dipped into a slush fund to get them off the ghetto streets and into structures with four walls.

Long live '80s rock!

Def Leppard will kick off its annual U.S. tour June 23 in Camden.

This one is 40 dates and the Leps will be touring with Poison and Cheap Trick.

Ticket sales begin March 6. Venues to be announced.

Classic-rock fans will also have an opportunity to tap into a recession-relieving concert with the 2009 Can't Stop Rockin' tour, reports billboard.com.

That one's going to feature REO Speedwagon, Styx and 38 Special with tickets in most markets available for as little as $13.50.

That tour begins May 13 in Albuquerque and hits the Borgata in Atlantic City on June 26.

Tattbits

* Val Kilmer hasn't yet commit-ted to running for governor of New Mexico but Jon Hendry, leader of the union representing New Mexico's film and television industry, is endorsing Kilmer's likely Democratic rival, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

* The Hollywood Re-

porter says Jerry Seinfeld is reteaming with NBC to launch "The Marriage Ref," a reality series in which comedians will try to mediate household disputes.

"This is not a therapy show; it's a comedy show," Seinfeld said. "After nine years of marriage, I have discovered that the comedic potential of this subject is quite rich."

Just like Jerry.

* Dustin Hoffman fought back

tears as he was honored by France yesterday.

In an elaborate event in a gilded Paris hall, Culture Minister Christine Albanel made the two-time Oscar winner an honorary commander in France's National Order of Arts and Letters and tied a green medallion around the 71-year-old actor's neck.

Hoffman's eyes moistened, and after taking a second to regain his composure, he joked: "When you get to my age, you cry at the weather reports."

* Columbia Pictures is developing a new version of "Total Recall," reports the Hollywood Reporter.

Since the movie is not even 20 years old and is on cable all the time, don't people already have total recall of everything about it?

Why doesn't someone just announce a remake of "Slumdog Millionare" and get it over with? *

Daily News wire services contributed to this report.

Send e-mail to gensleh@phillynews.com