KABUL, Afghanistan -- It is a long way from the grimy, poverty-stricken streets of Afghanistan to the red carpets of Hollywood -- but 14-year-old Fawad Mohammadi is on his way.

The teenager, who sells chewing gum and maps from the curbside in Kabul, was an actor in "Buzkashi Boys," a film nominated Thursday for an Oscar.

In a city normally associated with misery, there were tears of joy as Mohammadi learned of the nomination at a small Internet cafe.

"I'm so happy!" he exclaimed.

American director Sam Fench called Mohammadi to share congratulations -- and promised to take him to Los Angeles, where the low-budget film is shortlisted in the best live action short film category.

"I want to see a lot of things there -- Hollywood, and I want to see some actors."

The glamour of Hollywood is a world away from Mohammadi's daily existence in Kabul, where he sells gum and tourist maps for $3 to $5 on the capital's dangerous roads in order to support his single mother who is raising six sons and one daughter in abject poverty.

"Buzkashi Boys" tells the story of two boys in Kabul who dream of playing buzkashi, a sport where players on horseback compete to get hold of a headless goat.

It resonates in Afganistan, where many children live in poverty and surrounded by danger but remain hopeful for their future and that of their nation.

Mohammadi, discovered on the streets of Kabul, acted for the first and only time in his life. For his efforts, he was paid $1,500 -- a small fortune by Afghan standards.

He used the first $100 to buy food and gave the rest to his mother.

He has become a celebrity in Kabul, and a source of joy in a place where sadness is the norm. 

"Some people they know me and when they see me they are so happy," he said. "They want their picture taken with me."

There was a celebratory meal with friends at the local KFC on Friday, but within hours of learning of the Academy Award nomination, Mohammadi is back on the city's Chicken Street earning money.

He dreams of being an airline pilot and attends school, but has to keep working to help support his family.

"This movie shows that Afghans have strength and they work a lot," he said. "It's the real culture of Afghanistan...and also the dreams of Afghans."

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Sasha Baron Cohen’s alter-ego in “The Dictator” was alive and scandalous in Australia on Wednesday, entertaining a talk show team with his provocative, yet debatable intelligence. According to one report, however, he may not be welcomed elsewhere.

Head-to-toe in commander regalia, Aladeen, the film’s faux world leader, was accompanied by a tanned, long-legged female entourage when he appeared on Australia’s “Wake up with TODAY!,” earning laughs for his remarks on the state of affairs down under.

"To get them more popular, your prime minister should have a sex change and become a woman,” said the comic as his Qaddafi-like character when asked what advice he had for world leaders. “Also, your prime minister should always have someone around he can trust. I have 25 virgin girls that follow me around and protect me at all times."

The current prime minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, is a woman.

Referencing some of the Aussie nation’s alleged scandals, Cohen commented, “The first rule of a politician: only sexually harass the female staff. The boys will always talk, females cry."

His other words of wisdom, “When you pay for hookers, don’t use the government credit card. Always cash, cash, cash! I know it’s tempting to put it on the credit card for the air miles."

It may not come as too big a shock then that some folks at the BBC have decided they will pass on a similar interview with the international parody. Reports UK’s The Daily Mail, Cohen claims the world media outlet has banned Aladeen from several of its TV and radio programs, including "The Graham Norton Show," "The One Show," "Newsnight," "The Andrew Marr Show," and shows on Radio 1 and Radio 4.

In what the actor has deemed a “blackout” in an in-character interview he did with the UK's Sun, Cohen said the broadcaster was “victimizing little old me… While I am a huge admirer of state-sponsored censorship, the BBC banning me from their meager channels is an outrage."

Conflicting reports provide no definite answer on the matter, as a spokesperson for the BBC told The Daily there was no ban, only that “few of the television shows mentioned would be an appropriate platform for one of Cohen's controversial characters.”

"Our chat shows thrive on the spontaneous banter between guests and the presenter, something you don't get when people come on as a character," the BBC statement said. "We'd love to have Sacha on as himself."

On the other hand, a source close to Cohen said he had been initially approached by "The One Show" to appear as Aladeen, though it has since withdrawn interest.

"The Dictator" opens in theaters on May 16, and tells the tale of Aladeen, rich ruler of the fictional country “Wadiya” in northeast Africa, who travels to New York in a monstrous cultural collision. These latest appearances continue Cohen’s ongoing publicity campaign that began in February at the Academy Awards when he dumped “Kim Jong-II’s ashes” onto Ryan Seacrest during his red carpet arrival.

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