By News18
Once praised globally for his raw and moving performance in Salaam Bombay! (1988), Shafiq Syed now earns a living as an auto-rickshaw driver on the streets of Bangalore. Despite winning the National Film Award for Best Child Artist, his life never took the trajectory many had expected. Behind the glitter and glory of the silver screen lies the stark reality of countless forgotten talents and Shafiq Syed is one of them.
Salaam Bombay!, directed by Mira Nair, remains a landmark in Indian cinema. The film offered a harrowing yet heartfelt glimpse into the lives of street children in Mumbai. At just 12 years old, Shafiq Syed brought the lead role of Krishna (also known as Chaipav) to life with heartbreaking honesty and vulnerability. His expressive eyes and authentic presence captured hearts worldwide and earned critical acclaim.
However, the recognition did not translate into opportunities. After one more film, Patang (1994), his acting career came to a halt. Mira Nair had discovered him in a Bangalore slum and offered him a chance to shine, but during the shoot, he was paid just Rs 20 a day and fed a vada for lunch. Fame, but no financial security, followed.
In the early 鈥90s, Shafiq Syed returned to Bangalore. With no stable career in film, he began driving an auto-rickshaw to support his mother, wife, and four children. He briefly worked as a camera assistant for Kannada TV serials, but consistent work remained elusive.
Reflecting on his journey, Shafiq Syed once said, 鈥淭here was a time when I had no responsibilities. Now, the entire burden of my family is on me.鈥 Despite the disappointment, he remains devoted to his role as a father, determined to give his children a better life.
Shafiq Syed鈥檚 story raises hard questions about the Indian film industry. Why was such a gifted actor cast aside? Was it class prejudice? A lack of connections? Or simply the absence of a support system for child actors? Shafiq Syed was seen only as a slum boy, not as an actor with range. Without a formal education or backing, he slipped through the cracks. Yet, hope endures.
Shafiq Syed has penned a 180-page autobiography titled After Salaam Bombay, in which he chronicles his journey. He hopes it will be turned into a film someday. 鈥淢y 鈥楽alaam Bombay鈥 will be more honest than Slumdog Millionaire,鈥 he says with conviction. Though his stardom has dimmed, his resilience shines through. He continues to work hard, not for applause, but for his family鈥檚 future.