Actor Shafiq Syed who once received worldwide appreciation for his powerful and emotional role in Salaam Bombay! (1988), now supports himself as a rickshaw driver on the roads of Bangalore.
Even though he received the National Film Award for Best Child Artist, his life didn’t follow the path that many anticipated. Beneath the sparkle and fame of cinema exists the harsh truth of numerous overlooked talents, and Shafiq Syed is among them.
Breathed life into Krishna’s character in Salaam Bombay
Mira Nair’s 1988 film Salaam Bombay continues to hold a special place in the hearts of film enthusiasts. In this movie, 12-year-old Shafiq Syed brought the character of Krishna, also known as Chaypaav, to life.
His facial gestures, purity in his gaze, and sorrow affected every observer. He earned a National Award for this outstanding performance, yet his career never took off, despite a fantastic debut.
Mira Nair found Shafiq Syed in a slum in Bangalore. She subsequently provided him with an essential part in Salaam Bombay for which he earned merely Rs 20 daily and was given a vada for lunch.
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Hardships after ‘Salaam Bombay’
Following another film, Patang (1994), Shafiq Syed returned to his hometown, Bangalore, and began driving an auto-rickshaw to support his mother, wife, and four children due to a lack of work opportunities in the film industry.
Shafiq Syed attempted to build a career as an Assistant Cameraman for Kannada TV series, but it never succeeded.
In a conversation, looking back on his path, Shafiq Syed was quoted as stating, “There was a period when I had no responsibilities. Currently, all the responsibilities of my family rest on my shoulders.”
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Shafiq Syed’s story poses serious questions regarding the Indian film sector. Why was such a talented actor overlooked? Was it a lack of a support network for child actors? Shafiq Syed was perceived merely as a slum child, rather than as a versatile actor. Lacking formal education or support, he fell through the gaps. Still, hope persists.
Shafiq Syed has written a 180-page autobiography titled After Salaam Bombay, detailing his challenges in and after the film industry. He wishes for it to become a movie some day. He once stated, ‘My ‘Salaam Bombay’ will be truer than ‘Slumdog Millionaire.’
