He is no `slumdog-turned- millionaire` but Mumbai boy Sagar Salunke, who plays the lead role in Oscar-nominated short film ‘Kavi’, has managed to catch the eye of Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.
"I met Anurag Kashyap and he said he liked me in `Kavi` and will cast me in his next film," Sagar, who is all set to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards night on
March 7, told reporters.
Kashyap said he will be taking Sagar in his next project, praising his performance in ‘Kavi’.
"Yes, I will be casting Sagar in my next movie. `Kavi` is an important and a moving film on the subject of child bonded labour," he said.
Sixteen-year-old Sagar plays the lead in debutante American director Gregg Helvey`s fictional Hindi film which has been nominated in the Best Live Action Short Film category at this year`s Oscars.
The 19-minute-long film, made as part of Helvey`s diploma project, is about a boy who wants to escape from a brick kiln where he is forced to work as a `modern-day slave`. He yearns to play cricket and go to school like a normal kid.
Sagar`s life is not much different from the one depicted in the film. He comes from a slum in Jogeshwari and is the youngest child in the family of six. But unlike his character, Sagar studies in the class IX and dreams of ecoming like Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan.
He is looking forward to attend Oscar red carpet and hopes to return home with the golden statuette and meet President Pratibha Patil.
"I have already got warm clothes because it will be cold there but I will do my shopping there only. Someone has sponsored the trip for me," Sagar said.
"(If I win) I will first bring the Oscar to India, I will come straight here. I want to meet our President after I return with the award," he hoped.
The film was shot on a shoe-string budget with senior technicians like Berry John chipping in for free.
"We have put our heart and soul in this movie. We had no money when we started but we have come this far and hopefully will be able to highlight the issue further. We never expected Oscar nomination but are very happy," said producer Harish Amin.
He said he got a very positive response from the government and hopes that the film will make a positive difference in Sagar`s life.
"He comes from a very modest background and we are trying our best to get him education. There are only two people allowed at the Oscars but we wrote to the Academy because we want to give Sagar the exposure. Miracles do happen. His passport was ready within three weeks. But it is a long way," said producer Guneet Monga.
She said Oscar-winning films like "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Smile Pinki" made their task easy.
"They created a positive atmosphere for us and helped us tremendously. It is awesome the way world is looking at Indian film industry. It is very encouraging," she said.
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