Salaam Bombay! (1988)
Mira Nair's landmark debut follows a young boy surviving the unforgiving streets of Bombay in a film of raw beauty and heartbreaking truth.
Salaam Bombay! - Movie Information
- Original Title: Salaam Bombay!
- Release Year: 1988
- Directed by: Mira Nair
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Original Language: Hindi
- Spoken Languages: Hindi, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 24, 1988 (France - 12), January 27, 1989 (United Kingdom - 15), September 1, 1988 (India)
- Alternative Titles: Salaam Bombay! (US), Salaam Bombay! (LK), Salaam Bombay! (PT), 敬礼ボンベイ！ (JP), Salaam Bombay! (FI), Salaam Bombay (DK), Salaam Bombay! (FR), सलाम बॉम्बे! (IN)
- Production Companies: Doordarshan, Cadrage, Forum Films, La Sept Cinéma, Mirabai Films, National Film Development Corporation of India, Film4 Productions
- Production Countries: France, India, United Kingdom
Salaam Bombay! - Plot
Young Krishna is abandoned at the Apollo Circus by his mother, who informs him that he can only return home when he can afford ₹500 for his brother's bicycle that he destroyed. The circus leaves Krishna behind and he travels to Bombay, where he delivers tee and befriends a heroin addict and a young prostitute. Krishna dreams of saving ₹500 to return home, but Bombay street life isn't easy.
Salaam Bombay! - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Bombay's streets come alive:
Where to Watch Salaam Bombay!
Looking for where to watch Salaam Bombay!?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Salaam Bombay! - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mira Nair
Main Cast
- Shafiq Syed
- Hansa Vithal
- Chanda Sharma
- Anita Kanwar
- Nana Patekar
- Anjaan
- Amrit Patel
- Irrfan Khan
- Raghubir Yadav
- Raju Bernad
Writers
- Mira Nair
- Sooni Taraporevala
Producers
- Mira Nair
Salaam Bombay! - FAQs
Was Salaam Bombay! filmed with real street children?
Yes, and it's one of the film's most remarkable qualities. Mira Nair cast actual street children from Bombay, many of whom had never acted before. She ran workshops to prepare them, and their raw, lived-in performances give the film an authenticity that no professional cast could have replicated.
Was Salaam Bombay! nominated for an Academy Award?
Absolutely. Salaam Bombay! earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1989 Oscars, making it one of the most celebrated Indian films in Oscar history. It also won the Caméra d'Or and the Prix du Public at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.
What is Salaam Bombay! about?
The film follows Krishna, a young boy left behind by a traveling circus, who ends up on the streets of Bombay. Struggling to earn ₹500 to return home, he delivers tea, befriends a heroin addict and a young prostitute, and confronts the harsh realities of poverty and survival in the city.
Who are the main actors in Salaam Bombay!?
The cast is led by Shafiq Syed as the young protagonist Krishna, alongside Hansa Vithal, Chanda Sharma, Anita Kanwar, and Nana Patekar. You'll also spot a very early appearance from Irrfan Khan and a memorable turn from Raghubir Yadav as the tragic Chillum.
Who directed Salaam Bombay! and what inspired it?
Mira Nair directed the film, which was her feature debut. Inspired by her own documentary work with street children in India, she spent months living among Bombay's street kids before filming. The experience shaped every aspect of the story, casting, and the film's unflinching emotional honesty.
What is the age rating for Salaam Bombay!?
Salaam Bombay! is rated PG-13 in the United States. The film deals with mature themes including drug addiction, prostitution, and child poverty, so it's best suited for older teens and adults who can engage thoughtfully with its powerful and at times difficult subject matter.
How long is Salaam Bombay!?
Salaam Bombay! runs for 1 hour and 53 minutes. Despite its relatively compact runtime, the film packs in a richly layered portrait of street life in Bombay, with a pace that feels both immersive and urgent from start to finish.
What are some films similar to Salaam Bombay!?
If Salaam Bombay! moved you, you might also love Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids, Maria Full of Grace, and Mira Nair's own Monsoon Wedding. For a similarly raw look at youth and survival, The Young and the Damned and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai are well worth your time.
More About Salaam Bombay!
Explore further details about the film on these trusted resources: