- By Srishti Pandey
- Wed, 05 Mar 2025 11:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Fatima Sana Shaikh became a household name after her portrayal of wrestler Geeta Phogat in Aamir Khan’s Dangal. While the film’s massive success opened doors for her in the industry, it also brought immense pressure. In a recent interview, the actress shared how she struggled with self-doubt and the fear of not meeting expectations post-Dangal.
Speaking with Hindustan Times, Fatima revealed that she felt the burden of living up to the image and benchmark she had set with Dangal. "I did feel a pressure of not living up to the image and benchmark I had created. It created self-doubt that people might think I am a good actor, but am I truly one?" she shared.
Her fear of carrying a film on her shoulders held her back from taking up solo projects. She worried about how audiences would react if things didn’t go as expected.
Fatima Sana Shaikh in Dangal:
It was Anurag Basu’s Ludo that eventually helped Fatima shift her mindset. After Thugs of Hindostan (2018), she struggled with self-confidence, but over time, she learned to accept failures and mistakes. She realized that showing up for herself and giving her best was more important than external expectations.
Now, she has embraced her journey with confidence and is taking on diverse roles. Following her performances in Dhak Dhak and Sam Bahadur, she is set to appear in Metro... In Dino, Ul Jalool Ishq alongside Vijay Varma and Naseeruddin Shah and Aap Jaisa Koi with R. Madhavan.
Released in 2016, Dangal remains one of Indian cinema’s most inspiring sports dramas. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film follows Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler who trains his daughters to win gold for India at the Commonwealth Games. With a stellar cast including Aamir Khan, Sanya Malhotra, Aparshakti Khurana, Suhani Bhatnagar, and Zaira Wasim, the movie is more than just a wrestling story—it's a powerful tale of perseverance and breaking societal norms.