Mumbai: Sajda Pathan, the 9-year-old star of the Oscar-nominated short film Anuja, has a story as compelling as the film. From being a child laborer on the streets of Delhi to earning global recognition, Sajda’s journey is one of resilience, hope and the transformative power of cinema.
Born into poverty, Sajda was forced into child labor at an early age. When he was rescued by Salaam Balak Trust, an NGO dedicated to helping street children, his life took a dramatic turn. The trust, established in 1988 with the proceeds from Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated Salaam Bombay!
Sajda now lives at the Trust’s SBT Day Care Centre, where his talent was discovered. From these humble beginnings, she has risen to international acclaim, becoming the face of Anuja, a short film that earned her a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2025 Academy Awards.
Anuja, set in Delhi, tells the story of a young girl navigating the harsh realities of life in urban slums. Produced by Salaam Balak Trust in collaboration with Shine Global and Cruzan Naik Films, the film highlights the struggles of marginalized children.
Sajda’s raw and authentic performance as the titular character has captivated audiences and critics alike, cementing her place as a rising star in global cinema.
Anuja is not Sajjada’s first brush with the silver screen. She first starred in the French film The Braid (La Trese), directed by Letitia Colombani, where she shared screen space with Mia Melager. His natural acting skills and ability to portray deep emotions have made him a standout artist even at such a young age.
Backed by influential names like Priyanka Chopra, Mindy Kaling and Guniyet Monga, Anuja has garnered significant attention in the global film circuit. The film is competing for the Best Live Action Short Film award at the 2025 Academy Awards, alongside strong contenders such as A Lien, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger and The Man Who Couldn’t Shut Up.
For those curious to see Sajda’s performance, Anuja is set to stream on Netflix later this year, bringing her incredible talent and story to a global audience.
