Who is Sajda Pathan, rescued child labourer headlining Oscar-nominated ‘Anuja’

Priyanka Chopra and Guneet Monga-backed film, Anuja, bagged a nomination in the 97th Academy Awards. The film earned a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. As the buzz around the film heats up, the attention is on the 9-year-old lead star of the film.

Directed by Adam J Graves and Suchitra Mattai, Anuja is the story of a talented 9-year-old girl, Anuja, faced with a life-altering choice between pursuing an education or working in a factory alongside her sister.

The film features Sajda Pathan in the lead role, with Ananya Shanbhag portraying her sister. The movie is set against the backdrop of New Delhi.

Now, while many fans are congratulating the makers for this new feat, others are guessing about the girl, Sajda Pathan. She has her own cinematic journey which we are sure not many have known.

Sajda, who rose from the slums, was rescued from the streets by an NG. She had previously worked in The Braid (La Tresse), a French film directed by Laetitia Colombani, where she shared screen space with Mia Maelzer.

Sajda was a former child labourer from Delhi. She was rescued by the Salaam Baalak Trust. Established in 1988 with proceeds from Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated film Salaam Bombay, the trust has co-produced the film in partnership withKrushan Naik Films.

Anuja has the backing of a remarkable team of producers: Suchitra Mattai, Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Krushan Naik, Aaron Kopp, Devananda Graves, Michael Graves, Ksheetij Saini and Alexandra Blaney. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Anita Bhatia are on board as Executive Producers. Co-Executive Producers include Archana Jain, Susan MacLaury, Albie Hecht.

Anuja is currently streaming on Netflix.