Sheru with his beloved camera, is a symbol of his dreams to capture life through a different lens. (Image source: Say Cheese film poster)Through Sheru’s perspective, Say Cheese invites viewers into a life defined by both hardship and resilience, unfolding a story that reflects the strength of those living on the city’s fringes.
A Story Rooted in Real Life
Dutta’s journey with Sheru began long before the camera started rolling. A seasoned documentary filmmaker known for her work in urban landscapes, Dutta met Sheru at a filmmaking workshop when he was only nine. That was the first time Sheru held a camera, sparking a fascination that would become a lifelong passion. Years later, Dutta reconnected with him at the Children’s Development Khazana (CDK), a bank initiative for street children, operated by the NGO Butterfly. By then, Sheru was a teenager who had been working to support himself, bouncing between odd jobs and small savings. His story stood out to Dutta, not only for his inherent charm and positivity but also for his unyielding passion for photography amid the obstacles of his street life.
In Say Cheese, Sheru’s optimism shines as a beacon, setting him apart from the countless other children living in similarly difficult conditions. His love for photography offers him an emotional escape and a sense of purpose. Through each frame, he reveals his world — one filled with survival tactics, personal struggles, and fleeting moments of happiness. Dutta skillfully captures Sheru’s determination and dreams, offering viewers a window into his life without sensationalizing his reality.
The Struggles of a Street Kid
The film unfolds across various sites in Delhi, tracing Sheru’s daily routine as he moves between his studies, odd jobs, and his ultimate goal: saving enough money to buy a real camera. Sheru’s life is a testament to resilience; he recalls adapting to life on the streets from a young age after escaping a home situation marked by abuse. Since then, he’s picked up the local dialect and survival skills, blending in seamlessly with the street culture around him. Whether selling popcorn, cleaning tables at a tea stall, or doing whatever job comes his way, Sheru’s focus is steadfast: he is determined to become a photographer and document the lives of those like him.
The documentary doesn’t shy away from his challenges, from dealing with daily exhaustion to confronting the realities of high camera prices that seem just out of reach. These are challenges he meets with both humility and resolve. Each setback is balanced by his warmth and humor, especially in his interactions with his best friend Sumit, who teases him about his dream but also supports him financially and emotionally.
Capturing the Essence of Street Life
One of Dutta’s strengths as a filmmaker is her sensitivity to authenticity. She adopts a non-intrusive filming style that allows Sheru’s story to unfold naturally. Many scenes are shot at a distance to respect Sheru’s privacy, such as his visit to his mother in Delhi’s infamous GB Road, the city’s largest red-light district. Dutta’s decision to film from afar creates a raw, immersive experience for viewers while preserving the integrity of the narrative. In these quiet yet powerful moments, Sheru’s complex relationship with his family, particularly his estranged mother, adds a deeply personal layer to his journey.
The choice to show Sheru’s environment, including Delhi’s hidden alleys and bustling bylanes, brings a sense of place to the film. We see the layered realities of Sheru’s world — places filled with both opportunity and danger, where he carves out a life on his own terms. As Dutta explains, her goal was not to make the film “beautiful” but to reflect Sheru’s unfiltered life, showcasing both the vibrancy and shadows of street life in Delhi.
The Impact of Say Cheese
Say Cheese has garnered attention not only for its subject but also for its approach to storytelling. The film won accolades at festivals like the Tokyo Docs and the Woodpecker International Film Festival, highlighting its relevance and impact. Dutta’s previous works, such as Toxic Trail, which delves into Delhi’s unregulated e-waste trade, and Womb on Rent, which documents the experiences of surrogate mothers, reflect her commitment to exploring social issues with integrity and depth. With Say Cheese, she brings this commitment to the world of street children, offering audiences a new way of seeing the overlooked lives that populate India’s metropolises.
Dutta’s dedication to her subjects extends beyond the screen. As Sheru’s mentor, she hopes to continue supporting him and has expressed plans to bring him on as a trainee at her production company once he finishes school. Her relationship with Sheru speaks to her understanding of the responsibility she carries as a filmmaker who captures vulnerable lives on film. This compassion shines through, making Say Cheese a story not only about survival but also about the strength of human connections.
Sheru’s Story: A Testament to Resilience
The documentary ends with a simple, uplifting message: Hope is life. This phrase captures Sheru’s outlook on his situation, a perspective that refuses to succumb to despair. His confidence that “camera can make even the saddest person smile” resonates as he continues to chase his dreams of capturing smiles across the city. For Sheru, the camera is not just a tool for art but a source of joy, allowing him to dream of a future beyond the streets.
Dutta’s choice to end on a positive note underscores her belief in the potential of street children like Sheru, who, with the right guidance, can rise above their circumstances. Through his journey, Say Cheese prompts audiences to reconsider the perceptions and stereotypes surrounding street children, offering a narrative filled with hope, resilience, and a quiet determination to live fully.
The Power of Documentaries to Shape Perspectives
In Say Cheese, Dutta has created more than just a documentary; she has opened a portal into a world that is often ignored or misunderstood. Her commitment to telling real, impactful stories is a reminder of the power that documentaries hold in shaping perspectives and bridging social divides. As Sheru’s story resonates with viewers, it challenges the audience to consider their own assumptions about poverty, resilience, and the lives of those who live on the margins.
For Dutta, Sheru’s journey represents a larger truth about the human spirit, about finding hope in unlikely places and resilience in the face of adversity. In a way, Say Cheese becomes more than a film — it becomes a tribute to the invisible lives that contribute to the heartbeat of a city. Through Sheru, the film captures not only the struggles of street life but also the undying spirit of youth, ambition, and dreams that flourish even in the most challenging environments.
Say Cheese stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, reminding us of the significance of every individual’s dreams, no matter their circumstances, and the capacity of cinema to bring these stories to light.
