National Award-winning actor Shafiq Syed, once the lead in the critically acclaimed film *Salaam Bombay!*, tragically became an auto-rickshaw driver after his dreams of a film career shattered.
From Mumbai Streets to Stardom
Shafiq Syed arrived in Mumbai in the 1980s as a young runaway, seeking to witness the cinematic magic he saw on screen. He ended up living on the streets near Churchgate station, where fate intervened.
He was approached by a woman offering Rs 20 for an acting workshop. Hungry and intrigued, Shafiq agreed, unlike the other street kids who fled. This led to him being cast in Mira Nair’s groundbreaking film, *Salaam Bombay!*
The movie became a critical sensation, earning an Academy Award nomination and bringing Shafiq national recognition, including a prestigious National Film Award and an honor from the President of India. He felt his role wasn’t “acting” but a genuine reflection of his life on the streets of India.
The Dream Crumbles
Despite the film’s immense success, Shafiq’s cinematic dream was short-lived. He was paid Rs 15,000 for 52 days of shooting, a thrilling sum for him at the time.
However, after the film crew disbanded, he found himself back on the streets of Mumbai, desperately seeking more work. For eight months, he knocked on producers’ doors, only to be met with no opportunities.
People recognized him from newspaper clippings, sometimes offering food, but never the roles he craved. He appeared in just one more film, Goutam Ghose’s *Patang*, before the grim reality set in.
A New Life in Bengaluru
By 1993, with no viable film career in sight, Shafiq made the heartbreaking decision to leave Mumbai for good. He returned to his hometown in Bengaluru.
Here, he began a vastly different life, working as an auto-rickshaw driver. He earned a meager Rs 150 per day, barely enough to support his family of five.
The crushing disappointment and financial strain took a severe toll on his mental health. Shafiq courageously admitted to attempting suicide twice – once by jumping into the sea in Mumbai and later by consuming poison in Bangalore – overwhelmed by his unfulfilled dreams.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
By the mid-1990s, Shafiq had four children. Two of them, like him, had to drop out of school. He voiced his strong desire for his children to pursue education and have better opportunities than he did.
He eventually stopped driving autos and shifted to odd jobs, working as a technician on Kannada television soaps. He explained, “What else can I do? I have a family to take care of.”
Shafiq largely keeps his past fame private, rarely discussing his acting career. He occasionally gets to travel with film units for work outside Bangalore, a small echo of his earlier life.
A Crew Member Remembers
Bishwadeep Dipak Chatterjee, a sound assistant on *Salaam Bombay!*, recently shared his memories of Shafiq. He recalled Shafiq’s profound sadness at the film’s wrap party, as the reality of an uncertain future dawned on him.
Chatterjee noted the stark contrast with another child actor from the film, Bernard, who was adopted by the cinematographer and is now thriving in Los Angeles. Shafiq’s path, however, remained one of struggle and perseverance.
- Shafiq Syed, the lead in the acclaimed film *Salaam Bombay!*, received a National Film Award and was honored by the President.
- Despite early success, his film career did not take off, leading him to return to Bengaluru.
- He became an auto-rickshaw driver, earning a minimal income to support his family.
- Shafiq openly spoke about attempting suicide twice due to dashed dreams and financial hardship.
- Today, he works odd jobs in the Kannada film industry, hoping for a better future for his children.
Shafiq’s journey is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of fame and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
