Fatima Sana Shaikh ’s Career Journey & Setbacks
Fatima Sana Shaikh began her acting career as a child artist and has worked alongside some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, including Shah Rukh Khan, Kamal Haasan, Aamir Khan, Tabu, Juhi Chawla, and Abhishek Bachchan. She gained widespread recognition for her role in Dangal (2016), the highest-grossing Indian film. However, she also starred in Thugs of Hindostan (2018), one of Bollywood’s biggest box office failures, both films featuring Aamir Khan. Recently, Fatima opened up about the impact of the film’s failure on her confidence and career, as well as her battle with imposter syndrome following Dangal’s massive success.
Wanted to Escape to the Mountains
In a conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Fatima revealed that she went through a phase where she lost motivation to work and wanted to escape. She even rented a house in Dharamshala for a few months, contemplating a life away from the film industry. The idea of living alone in the mountains and opening a café crossed her mind as she struggled with self-discovery and career-related uncertainties.
Battling Low Self-Confidence & Self-Doubt
Fatima also admitted to struggling with self-confidence, particularly in her acting abilities. Even when offered lead roles, she feared being exposed as inadequate. However, therapy and a strong support system helped her overcome these insecurities and improve her mental well-being.
She credited filmmaker Anurag Basu for playing a crucial role in restoring her confidence. While working with him on Ludo (2020) and the upcoming Metro… In Dino, she constantly sought his approval, doubting her own performance. Anurag reassured her, encouraging her to trust her instincts. Receiving validation from a director she deeply respected significantly impacted her self-belief and helped her regain her footing in the industry.
Losing Film Offers After Thugs of Hindostan
Fatima also spoke about the professional setbacks she faced following the failure of Thugs of Hindostan. She explained that just as directors struggle to secure projects after a flop, actors also face similar consequences. She was removed from two films in the aftermath, but she chose not to take it personally. Acknowledging the industry’s practical nature, she understood why producers hesitated to take risks on actors associated with unsuccessful films.
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Aamir Khan Taking Responsibility Didn’t Change Much
When asked whether Aamir Khan assuming responsibility for Thugs of Hindostan’s failure made a difference, Fatima stated that it did not. She explained that success and failure in the film industry are collective experiences. When a movie does well, even those in minor roles gain recognition, but when it flops, everyone involved feels the impact. While some actors had backup projects lined up, she had nothing except Ludo at the time.
Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, Thugs of Hindostan also starred Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif. Despite its high expectations, the film’s poor performance affected many careers, including Fatima’s. However, she has since worked towards rebuilding her confidence and making a strong comeback in Bollywood.
