
Fatima Sana Shaikh interview Bollywood actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, best known for her powerful portrayal of wrestler Geeta Phogat in Aamir Khan’s 2016 blockbuster Dangal, recently opened up about her early years in the film industry as a child artist. In a candid conversation with Filmfare, Fatima shared that her journey into films began much before Dangal, with appearances in popular movies like Chachi 420, Ishq, and One 2 Ka 4.
However, the glamour of showbiz hid a much harsher reality for young Fatima. She revealed that she encountered experiences that no child should have to deal with on set. “I definitely faced situations a child shouldn’t be exposed to,” she confessed. Fatima recalled being overworked and witnessing inappropriate adult behavior. “When I was a child artiste, I worked 15-hour days and overheard inappropriate adult conversations. My parents were present, but once they set expectations for me, there wasn’t much oversight,” she said.
Fatima Sana Shaikh early career
Fatima Sana Shaikh interview Fatima also shed light on the emotional toll of growing up in front of the camera. She talked about how young child actors are often subjected to unkind criticism about their appearance. “As an adult, you understand how insensitive these comments are, but when you hear them as a five- or ten-year-old, your perception of the ideal image gets warped,” she added, highlighting the long-term impact such judgments can have on a child’s self-esteem.

Dangal actress childhood experience
Reflecting on how she got into acting, Fatima shared that her family hails from Jammu and Kashmir and lived near the Kamalistan and Filmistan studios in Mumbai. “People from outside Mumbai are often fascinated by film shoots. My parents would go watch them every day, taking my brother and me along. At some point, they must have asked how to get their children into films.Fatima Sana Shaikh interview That’s how the process began,” she said. Coming from a lower-middle-class background, her parents were simply trying to survive and saw an opportunity in the film industry.
Fatima Sana Shaikh interview
Fatima Sana Shaikh interview Despite the struggles, Fatima Sana Shaikh managed to leave a mark with her early performances in films like Ishq, Chachi 420, Bade Dilwala, Khoobsurat, and One 2 Ka 4. Her journey from a child artist to one of Bollywood’s promising talents has been one of resilience, grit, and a deep love for the craft.