From slums to reputed filmmaking institute: The story of a 20-year old photography enthusiast

Hailing from the slums of Andheri in Mumbai, Shailesh Saini has always dreamt of making it big in the world of photography and filmmaking.

However, like any child growing up in Mumbai’s slums, life was not easy for Shailesh. But, in spite of his family’s limited financial resources, he was always encouraged to follow his dreams of becoming a photographer and filmmaker.

His father who runs a small flower shop from home and his mother, a housewife, have always been very supportive of his dreams in spite of their humble background. His elder brother, after much difficulty, managed to secure a job as a clerk in a bank recently.

“Ever since I remember, I have been fond of cameras. I have always loved to capture people and their stories as well as photographing nature,” says the 20-year-old photography enthusiast.

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Starting a new chapter

Having been introduced to the Salaam Bombay Foundation through his school Dr. Radhakrishnan Hindi secondary school in Andheri, Shailesh finally saw an opportunity to pursue his dreams. When he was in Class 9, Shailesh enrolled in the foundation’s Media Academy’s basic photography programme.

Salaam Bombay Foundation works with 12 to 17-year-old children growing up in Mumbai’s slums. Many of these children live in extreme poverty and are undernourished and face the risk of substance abuse. They come from financially challenged homes and are pressured to drop out of secondary school and seek jobs to support their families.

The Salaam Foundation keeps children in school by empowering them to make the right choices about their health, education, and livelihood thereby ensuring that they can thrive with a bright future.

In-school leadership and advocacy programmes equip "at-risk" adolescents with the life skills they need to lead change. The sports, arts, and media academies encourage them to express themselves and provide performance opportunities that build self-esteem.

Living the dream

As part of the programme, Shailesh was introduced to photography. Here he had the opportunity to learn how to work a DSLR and learn the basics of photography and film-making. His talent shone bright and he soon enrolled in a two-month advanced course.

Along with completing his training with much zeal, in order to provide the much-needed financial support for his family, Shailesh began looking for job opportunities that could pave the way and turn his hobby into a profession.

“I practised photography regularly and started working with a local photographer to hone my skills. I saved up my earnings to purchase my own camera on multiple occasions. However, I was not able to add wings to my dreams- given my family’s financial situation,” Shailesh says.

After working on the ground for a few years, Shailesh, through Salaam Bombay Foundation, was invited to learn filmmaking from the very reputed Jeff Goldberg Studio. He went on to complete the advanced photography course from there.

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Due to his love for the arts and undying determination and dedication, he was offered an internship in backstage photography and photo editing. Having earned a stipend of Rs 10,000, he feels he also received immense exposure and experience in film-making and the confidence to venture out on his journey as a photographer in the real world.

Soon after, Shailesh’s mentors at the foundation helped him apply for the Whistling Woods scholarship and he was selected from amongst 20 applicants and received a film making scholarship of a whopping amount of Rs 25 Lakh from Whistling Woods International Institute of Film, Communication and Creative Arts.

Honing his skills

“Shailesh has always shown a passion for the field and ensured he worked hard towards attaining perfection in all the projects assigned. Fearless with his questions, confident with the camera, and a vision for the subject at hand, it has been such a joy to mentor Shailesh,” says Rajashree Kadam, Vice President, Projects (Arts and Media), Salaam Bombay Foundation.

The young photographer believes that practice makes a man perfect.

“I am super thrilled to pursue the Filmmaking Scholarship from Whistling Woods International. My dream of making a career in the field is coming true and it has been nothing but a wonderful experience so far! I am immensely grateful to Whistling Woods International and Salaam Bombay Foundation for this opportunity,” he says.

Shailesh has completed his HSC in the commerce stream from the Airport Junior College in Vile Parle. He has also completed his internship with Jeff Goldberg Studios. After winning the scholarship from Whistling Woods International, he will be joining the BSc. Course in Filmmaking from July, 2022.