The Street Kids of Mumbai

The Street Kids of Mumbai follows the lives of four young children struggling to survive on the streets and in the slums of Mumbai, India. Filmed over three months during the monsoon season, it captures the moving stories of Deepa, Salaam, and twins Hussan and Hussein, showcasing their bravery, resourcefulness, and extraordinary resilience as they navigate the challenges of growing up in harsh conditions.

The film introduces 7-year-old Deepa, who works at the Bandra West traffic lights selling flowers to passing motorists. Living in the Khardanda slum with her brothers and grandmother, Deepa is forced to work to help feed her younger siblings after her father’s death and mother’s abandonment. Despite her circumstances, she dreams of returning to school and becoming a doctor.

Eleven-year-old Salaam’s story unfolds at Victoria Station, where he arrived as a runaway from Uttar Pradesh. Fleeing domestic abuse, Salaam found himself caught up in a world of begging and pickpocketing to survive. The documentary reveals his struggles with substance abuse, as he and other street children use toxic solvents to cope with hunger.

The film also focuses on 11-year-old twins Hussan and Hussein, who reside in the Pipeline slum. This makeshift settlement, precariously balanced on a 2-meter wide pipe, is home to over 350 families. The twins, having left school years earlier, make a living through “ragpicking” – collecting rubbish to sell at local recycling centers. Their story highlights the desperate measures children take to survive, including diving into a rancid canal to collect discarded items.

Through these personal narratives, the documentary sheds light on the broader issues of poverty and lack of education facing Mumbai’s street children. It presents an unfiltered look at the daily challenges and harsh realities these young individuals face, while also showcasing their remarkable ability to persevere in the face of adversity.