INTERVIEW WITH FATIMA SANA SHAIKH
Mumbai, Apr 10 – Actor Fatima Sana Shaikh shares that during her earlier years, she often picked roles driven more by fear than genuine interest.
Shaikh, recognized for her performances in Dangal, Dhak Dhak, Ajeeb Daastaans, and Ludo, says her outlook on choosing films has evolved over time.
“I don’t consciously overthink the type of films I want to take on. I rely more on instinct now. Before, fear played a big part in my decisions. I used to worry—’What if it doesn’t work out?’ But now, I’ve accepted that even if a film fails, it’s fine. You grow through setbacks. I’m no longer hesitant to explore. When I was younger, I often picked projects because I was afraid, not excited,” she told PTI.
The actor has an exciting lineup of releases this year, highlighting her versatility in romantic dramas. She’s also gearing up for her first OTT appearance with a series produced by Applause Entertainment.
“We’ve all grown weary of intense, dark films. People don’t want to see violence anymore. They just want to watch love stories because romance is something missing in most lives. I’ve worked on several love stories, and three of them are releasing this year,” she said during the India Global Forum.
Shaikh, who hopes to collaborate with directors like Imtiaz Ali, Rajkumar Hirani, and Anurag Kashyap, is teaming up once again with her Ludodirector Anurag Basu for Metro… In Dino.
“I once told him, ‘I want to be in all your films—whatever you make, I’ll do it.’ Even the smallest roles in his films are thoughtfully written. He’s a brilliant filmmaker. I just hope he makes more movies,” she said.
Metro… In Dino is a spiritual successor to Basu’s 2007 film Life in a… Metro. The anthology, scheduled for a July 4 release, features a star-studded cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sensharma, and Ali Fazal.
Her upcoming film Aap Jaisa Koi is a romantic drama that follows two unconventional characters — Shrirenu Tripathi, played by R Madhavan, and Madhu Bose, portrayed by Shaikh.
Shaikh described working with Madhavan as a valuable experience.
“Some actors don’t support you. But he’s the opposite—he’ll go out of his way to make things easier for you,” she said.
She also enjoyed working with Naseeruddin Shah and Vijay Varma in Ul Jalool Ishq, describing it as a light and comfortable experience.
“They’re the kind of actors who give you space. That’s why so many people who act with them perform well. They understand when a scene belongs to someone else, and they won’t try to overshadow or control it. In fact, they lift you up,” she said.
In her OTT debut, reportedly titled Nyaya, Shaikh plays a police officer.
The fictional series, inspired by real-life events, follows a 17-year-old girl’s fight for justice against a powerful spiritual leader who sexually assaulted her, according to media reports.
“OTT allows for deeper character development, and the writing is strong. I really enjoyed being part of the project,” Shaikh added.