Fatima Sana Shaikh was born on January 11, 1992, in Mumbai, India. She was raised in the bustling city and comes from a family with roots in Jammu and Srinagar. Her father, Vipin Sharma, hails from Jammu, while her mother, Raj Tabassum, is from Srinagar. Fatima identifies as an atheist and has always been open about her views on spirituality.
Before entering the film industry, Fatima had a keen interest in photography, a passion that she pursued during her formative years. Despite her initial interest in photography, it was acting that eventually captured her attention, leading her to pursue a career in films.
In addition to her acting career, Fatima has been quite open about her personal health struggles. She has lived with epilepsy, and over the years, she has courageously spoken about her condition in order to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding neurological disorders. This openness has made her an advocate for those struggling with similar conditions.
Career Beginnings:
Fatima Sana Shaikh’s journey in the entertainment industry began at an early age. She made her debut as a child artist in the film Chachi 420 (1997), where she played a supporting role. This was followed by another notable appearance as a child artist in One 2 Ka 4 (2001), starring Shah Rukh Khan and Jackie Shroff. These early experiences gave her a glimpse into the world of acting, though it would be years before she would return to the industry as an adult.
Breakthrough with Dangal (2016):
Fatima’s true breakthrough came in 2016 with the blockbuster Dangal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. In this biographical sports drama, she portrayed the role of Geeta Phogat, an Indian wrestler who made history by winning India’s first-ever female wrestling gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. The film was a massive success, both critically and commercially. It became the highest-grossing Indian film at the time, earning more than ₹2,000 crore (approximately $230 million) worldwide.
To prepare for the physically demanding role, Fatima underwent rigorous training and worked alongside her co-actor Sanya Malhotra, who played her sister in the film. The two actresses were trained by Kripa Shankar Patel Bishnoi, a former wrestler, to master the sport’s physical nuances and to perfect their wrestling techniques. Fatima also watched numerous wrestling videos to understand the body language and movements of wrestlers. Her dedication and hard work paid off, and her performance in Dangal was praised for its authenticity and emotional depth.
Post-Dangal Projects:
Following the success of Dangal, Fatima Sana Shaikh was cast in a variety of roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress. She starred in Thugs of Hindostan (2018), an epic action-adventure film directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya. In this film, she played the role of Zafira Baig, a warrior-archer Thug, opposite Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Katrina Kaif. Despite the film’s commercial success, Thugs of Hindostan received mixed reviews from critics.
Fatima’s next significant project was the anthology film Ludo (2020), directed by Anurag Basu. The film, which was released on Netflix, was a complex narrative that weaved together the lives of several characters. Fatima played a key role in one of the film’s segments, further establishing her as a capable actress with the ability to handle nuanced roles in ensemble casts.
She continued her success in the digital space with the 2021 anthology Ajeeb Daastaans on Netflix, where she played a pivotal role in one of the stories. The film was well-received for its innovative storytelling and the strong performances from its cast, including Fatima.
In 2022, she appeared in Modern Love Mumbai, another anthology series, which explored complex relationships in the city of Mumbai. Her role in this series was well-received, with critics praising her for adding emotional depth to her character.
Sam Bahadur and Upcoming Projects:
Fatima Sana Shaikh continued to challenge herself with more diverse roles. In 2023, she portrayed the role of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Sam Bahadur, a biographical drama about Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. The film, directed by Meghna Gulzar, stars Vicky Kaushal in the title role, and Fatima’s portrayal of the iconic political figure garnered considerable attention.
Additionally, Fatima is set to appear in the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Aruvi. The film, produced by Applause Entertainment, is expected to be another interesting project in her career, and fans are eagerly anticipating her performance.
Personal Life:
Fatima Sana Shaikh prefers to keep her personal life private. She has been open about her struggles with epilepsy, using her platform to raise awareness about the neurological disorder. While she is not often seen in the social spotlight, her work and public appearances continue to attract attention.
Fatima’s dedication to her craft and her willingness to take on challenging roles have made her a prominent figure in the Hindi film industry. She is known for her versatility and her ability to play a wide range of characters, from a wrestler in Dangal to a warrior-archer in Thugs of Hindostan, and a complex character in Ludo and Ajeeb Daastaans.
Fatima Sana Shaikh’s journey from a child artist to a leading actress in Bollywood has been an inspiring one. Her breakthrough role in Dangal not only earned her national recognition but also opened up a wide range of opportunities for her in the industry. Fatima’s ability to take on diverse roles, both in films and streaming platforms, highlights her versatility as an actress. With each new project, she continues to challenge herself and prove her acting prowess, making her one of the most promising young talents in the Indian film industry.