jamal– JULFUQAR ALI (Salim) is a street-child from the SAALAM BAALAK TRUST (which was established by film director Mira Nair after the success of her film Saalam Bombay). Salim has a sad history. His family are rag-pickers who live in a slum in Delhi. He was discovered by a social worker who brought him to the trust as a seven year old child when he got separated from his mother. It took the trust three years to locate his family based on the fragments of information provided by the disoriented Salim. Even though Salim now visits his family and his siblings visit him -he prefers to stay at the Saalam Baalak Trust where he attends school and as part of the curriculum is encouraged and exposed to the best practitioners of theatre and dance. Salim is a naturally gifted performer. What is distinctive about his abilities is a rare sense of discipline, patience and responsibility that makes him a delight to work with. Covered with thorns, having to squat in uncomfortable rocky holes for extended periods of time and having to brave the Rajasthani winter in nothing but a cotton kurta / pyjama (his costume), Shafiq never once complained of the physical hardship that he no doubt underwent but delivered a performance of remarkable honesty, reflexiveness demonstrating a keen ‘actorly’ sixth sense. Talented as he is as an actor, his first love is dance.

bhola - SUSHIL SHARMA works as a clerk in the Delhi electrical supply company. He has been part of Delhi theatre, which he does in his spare time for years. Sushil was the only person auditioned for the part of Bhola. His striking face and presence honed by years on the stage show through in a sensitive performance. Sushil also takes character parts in television.

rani - MEGNAA MEHTAA discovered that she had become Head Girl of Vasant Valley School, New Delhi during the shooting of Little Terrorist.
This is the first time Megnaa has appeared on screen, indeed acted in an important part – it took her no time to find her feet in an alien medium
and delivered an excellent performance, demonstrating acting talent and potential. Megnaa is still at school which she will be completing next year.