EXCLUSIVE: Fatima Sana Shaikh REVEALS how Thugs Of Hindostan failure affected her; says, “Do films se mujhe nikal diya tha”

Fatima Sana Shaikh, best known for her exceptional performance in Aamir Khan’s Dangal, recently opened up about the challenges she faced in the industry during her early days. In a candid conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Fatima Sana Shaikh shed light on her struggles, including encountering the harsh reality of the casting couch. The actress also reflected on her journey post Thugs Of Hindostan’s failure.

Fatima Sana Shaikh on being ousted from films post Thugs Of Hindostan’s failure

When questioned whether box office failure of a particular film affects her, Fatima responded, “Agar as a director aapne ek film banayi hai jo flop ho gayi hai, us insaan ke liye doosri film pana bohot mushkil hoga aur directors ka journey longer journey hota hai. Hum logon ke liye bhi wahi hota hai ki agar aapki ek film flop ho gayi, shayad do teen films se aap nikal jaoge. Aisa mere saath hua hai, Thugs flop ho gayi, do films se mujhe nikal diya that.” Fatima further shared that she avoids taking such losses personally and understands the business although reveals being used by the producers, “you are used as a commodity.”

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Continuing the actress discussed, “Toh main samajhti hoon, emotionally lagta hai ki I wish he didn’t do that and should show some faith, kyunki kisi ko toh faith dikhana padega na. Agar aap kisi actor ke upar faith nahi karte ho toh fir kaise chalega? Aaj neeche honge, kal upar honge, woh toh trending jo hoga usse thodi na cheezein badhti hain. Faith rakhna padta hai. Ultimately, hum log product nahi hain, hum insaan bhi hain. But it’s okay.”

Fatima Shaikh on Aamir Khan taking the responsibility of the film’s failure

The Dangal actress revealed that even though Aamir Khan took in charge of the film’s failure, it affected the rest of the cast. She shared, “Collective hota hai na ki woh matter nahi karta unhone responsibility li hai ya nahi li hai. Agar ek film hit hoti hai, chhote se chhote role ko, chhote se chhote character ko izzat milti hai, success milti hai. Film flop hoti hai, chhote se chhote character ko ek setback hota hai. Maybe kisi ke liye yeh hota hai ki farak nahi pada, unke paas 10 already lined hai. Mere paas kuch next line nahi tha, Ludo line tha. Toh matlab main ek time pe ek kar rahi thi, mujhe tha ki haan ispe attention do. Mere ko samajh mein hi nahi aaya ki kaise handle karoon. Mujhe bada dukh hua tha. But ab, when I look back, yeh toh hota rehta hai.”

More about Fatima

Fatima Sana Shaikh will be next seen in Metro In Dino alongside Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ali Fazal and many others. Helmed by Anurag Basu, the film is likely to be released in 2025. Fatima is also known for her roles in Thugs Of Hindostan and Sam Bahadur.

Watch the full interview here

Exclusive transcribed and written by Sarni Rathod

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