The Economic Times

Bengaluru boy with Bollywood dreams, ran away to Mumbai at 11. His debut film was Oscar nominated. Today, he barely earns Rs 150, a day: My life just returned

Shafiq Syed, a child actor nominated for an Oscar, now drives an auto-rickshaw. He was discovered at age eleven and starred in the acclaimed film Salaam Bombay. After his brief fame, life returned to hardship and survival in Bengaluru. He worked various jobs, including as a lighting assistant on film sets. Syed is now a father of four, living a life far from showbiz.