Oscar-Nominated Film's Star, National Award Winner, Now Drives Auto in Bengaluru

• Shafiq Syed, star of Oscar-nominated film *Salaam Bombay!*, won the National Award for Best Child Artist.
• He played the central character Krishna (Sai Baba) in Mira Nair's critically acclaimed 1988 film.
• Despite international recognition, Shafiq now drives an auto in Bengaluru to support his mother, wife, and four children.
• After *Salaam Bombay!*, he acted in only one more film, *Pathang* (1994), before disappearing from the film world.
• His career declined due to typecasting as a 'slum boy' and a lack of further acting or alternative opportunities.

Why It Matters: National Award winner Shafiq Syed, once an Oscar-nominated film's face, now struggles as an auto driver.