The lives of children appearing in "Born into Brothels", an Oscar nominated documentary about Kolkata's red light district, have been transformed through money earned through sale of photos and a book on them.

Ross Kauffman, co-director of the documentary, said the $100,000 (about Rs.4.5 million) made through the sale of their photos and an accompanying book has gone into setting them up for their future.

The documentary directed by Kauffman and Zana Brinski tracks the lives of the children of the red light district.

Kauffman said Avijit, the son of a murdered sex worker who is now 15, attends one of the best schools in Kolkata. He plans to go to art school in New York.

In a recent e-mail to the filmmakers, he said, "Dear Zana Auntie and Ross Uncle: I'm a completely different Avijit. I'm thin and I speak English."

Thirteen-year-old Puja text-messages Kauffman from her cell phone, gifted by the filmmakers. "Ross, where are you? I miss you," she said in a recent message.

Kochi, 12, who hardly speaks in the documentary, has become fairly proficient in English.

These children were given basic cameras by British photographer Briski and asked to shoot pictures. What they produced was surprisingly good, revealing artistic talents.

Briski then persuaded Kauffman, a film editor, to collaborate on a documentary. They filmed the children's lives for two years before turning their footage into the documentary.

The two now plan to build a school in Kolkata for 50 children of sex workers. They've also launched similar "Kids With Cameras" programmes in Cairo, Haiti and Jerusalem.