‘I put a lot of pressure on myself’

Fatima Sana Shaikh says she wanted to do a “very good” film after Dangal, regardless of how “big or small” it may be

Fatima Sana Shaikh (below) had auditioned multiple times for her breakthrough film, Dangal (2016), and it appears she had déjà vu of sorts when she went through the process for Thugs of Hindostan (ToH) too. But the actor doesn’t mind that she had to audition multiple times for the role. “It doesn’t matter, because you are giving your 100% every day. And you will only feel good once you go back home knowing you have put in so much effort,” says Fatima, as she speaks with HT Café about her struggles, career and her next project.

Were you waiting to sign a big-ticket film after a big hit like Dangal?

No, it was nothing like that. I wanted to do a good film that I would be excited about, regardless of how big or small it may be. You have to be excited about something [in a film]. With this film, everything fell into right place; it’s like a perfect movie. I was waiting for a script that’s exciting. I gave so many auditions for this film because I really wanted the part. If there’s something exciting, I would do anything for it.

When you get so much praise for a film (Dangal), is there any pressure to live up to expectations?

My problem is that I put a lot of pressure on myself regardless of anyone else doing it or not. All the time, I’m worried about everything, but that’s good because it pushes me to do my best all the time. I don’t slack off. You should keep a little pressure on yourself in life. When you get such good things after working hard, you value them more.

You told HT Café earlier that you auditioned for ToH the same way you did for Dangal. Did you expect things to be easier after Dangal?

I don’t think so. Your writer, director, or producer has to be convinced about you, or until they see the character in you. And if they are auditioning you and if you also want the part, then what’s the harm in it? If I want something, I would like to prove myself. If I really want to do a film, and it requires me to audition for two years, I’d do it.

What’s your dream? Do you want to be the next big star on the horizon?

I don’t function like that. I have been acting since I was a kid and have struggled a lot, so my thinking has never been like, ‘Oh, once I grow up, I have to be the biggest superstar heroine’. I used to just think, ‘Today, I am going for this audition and I wish I get this ad film; and I should give my 100%’. And that’s how I have always worked.

Nowadays, a number of actresses insist on doing solo, femaleoriented films. What about you?

Honestly, I am not thinking about such things. When I was doing Dangal (2016), I only had that film in hand. Now, I only have Thugs [Of Hindostan] and it will consume a lot of time. So, I don’t have any space left to accommodate anything else in life. It’s a huge opportunity for me and if I don’t do well, or fall short in front of Aamir (Khan) sir or Amitabh (Bachchan) sir, it will be very bad. So, I have to give my 1000%. They have shown faith in me. I shouldn’t look odd, at least in front of them. I just have to give it my all again.