From begging in Delhi's slums to star of Oscar-nominated film Anuja: Meet Sajda Pathan
From surviving the streets of Old Delhi to earning acclaim on the global stage, Sajda Pathan's inspiring journey mirrors the poignant narrative of Anuja. In this Oscar-nominated short film, she delivers a heartfelt performance that sheds light on critical issues like child labor and girls' education, making her story as impactful as the film itself.
The short film Anuja, backed by Priyanka Chopra, Mindy Kaling, and Guneet Monga, among others, has earned a prestigious nomination for Best Short Film (Live Action) at the Oscars 2025. As the world eagerly awaits the awards ceremony on March 2, 2025, all eyes are on Anuja¡ªthe sole Indian representation at this year's Oscars.
At the heart of the film is Sajda Pathan, who portrays the titular character of Anuja in this powerful story highlighting the struggles faced by girls worldwide.
Sajda's own journey is nothing short of inspiring. Once living on the streets, she was rescued by an NGO and has since transformed her life, building a promising career in films.
Her real-life story resonates deeply with the narrative of Anuja, making its nomination all the more poignant and significant.
Sajda Pathan's journey - from child labourer to actor
Sajda Pathan's journey began in the jhuggis (slums) of Old Delhi, where she lived on the streets with her older sister after being abandoned by their parents.
Her days were spent begging outside a Hanuman temple until social workers from Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) reached out and introduced her to their non-formal education program at their Yamuna Bazaar center.
She now resides at SBT's Day Care Center, where she continues to build her life.
Salaam Baalak Trust was established in 1988 using funds from Mira Nair's Oscar-nominated film Salaam Bombay. The organszation has co-produced Anuja alongside Shine Global and Krushan Naik Films.
Anuja marks Pathan's second film. She previously appeared in The Braid (La Tresse), a French movie directed by Laetitia Colombani, which focused on the lives of three women from India, Italy, and Canada, highlighting their struggles and resilience.
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Anuja focuses on critical issues such as child labor and girls' education, shedding light on the staggering reality that 1 in 10 children globally are engaged in child labour and 129 million girls are out of school. The film tells the poignant story of two sisters striving to find happiness and opportunities in a world that often marginalises them.
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Srishti B Dutta brings you everything from rags-to-riches tales and inspiring student success stories to those "No way, this can't be real!" moments. Whether it's intriguing, heartwarming, or just plain quirky, she's got it covered.
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