One of the most talented and promising actors in the Indian film business today is Fatima Sana Shaikh. Fatima’s story is one of enthusiasm, tenacity, and hard work because of her exceptional performances, unwavering dedication, and ability to take on difficult tasks. Fatima’s career was uncertain for a while after her early breakthrough as a young performer. She did, however, get a big break in 2016 thanks to Nitesh Tiwari’s smash hit film Dangal. Millions of people were moved by Fatima’s powerful performance as Geeta Phogat, the first Indian female wrestler to win gold at the Commonwealth Games.
Following Dangal’s phenomenal success, Fatima Sana Shaikh played a number of roles to show off her acting prowess. Her path hasn’t been without difficulties, though. She has talked candidly about her difficulties throughout the years, including rejection and her time spent on the casting couch. Fatima recently discussed her early experiences with the casting couch in an interview.
Casting directors exploited struggling actors, according to Fatima Sana Shaikh.
Fatima Sana Shaikh explained in an interview on Bollywood Bubble that each studio had its own auditions, which were often discovered by struggling actresses through word-of-mouth. But the casting director, who would be present at these studios, would ask artists to include their references on the audition forms.
Actors then learnt that the same casting director had retained a portion of their earnings when they were paid for commercials or advertisements. In reference to this, she stated,
Even if we were at the audition through word-of-mouth, the casting director would ask us to write down our reference. That means you have to give 15 percent of your payment to them, despite not knowing them at all.
But reputable casting directors don’t do this, Fatima subsequently explained. “I said,” she said.
Known casting directors won’t do that; only fraud people would. Of course, Mukesh Chhabra and Anmol Ahuja don’t do that. But there are shady individuals who take advantage of young, struggling actors who are new to the city and don’t know much.
Fatima Sana Shaikh says she had to deal with the South Indian film industry’s casting couch:
Fatima Sana Shaikh also discussed her experience on a casting couch in the same interview. She described how a casting agent made her feel uneasy and the call she received about landing a role in a South Indian film. Fatima stated,
He asked me, ‘You will be ready to do everything, right?’ I told him that I will be working hard and will do what is required for the role, but he kept saying that and I played dumb because I wanted to see how low can he get.
Fatima Sana Shaikh also discussed another upsetting experience she had in Hyderabad when she was trying to get a part in a South film that would eventually lead to Bollywood. However, she recalled that some “small producers” discussed the casting couch in an indirect but open way. In reference to this, she stated,
We were in a room, and the producers would talk about it very openly, giving indications that you have to meet people. They wouldn’t say it outright, but it was clear what they meant. However, not everyone is like that.
Fatima Sana Shaikh talks candidly about receiving little respect for her supporting parts:
Fatima stated that she did not receive any respect during her time as a side actor when questioned about her experience as a television actress. “I said,” she said.
Disappointed, Fatima Sana Shaikh said, “It hurts to be regarded as a second-class citizen if one does not receive proper respect, even if one makes decent money.” “I said,” she said.
You might earn Rs. 1500 per day, which at the age of 14 or 15 seemed like a lot to me. But even then, the treatment wasn’t good. It’s hurtful to be treated as a second-class human being. Regardless of how small your role is, if you’re on set, you deserve respect. It’s not about getting a bigger vanity van or other luxuries; it’s about being treated with basic dignity. For people who don’t have much money and are doing smaller roles, the value of that money is far greater than for someone in a higher position. The daily wagers, like the lightmen and crew members, work hard, and if even one day’s pay is taken from them, it hurts them deeply. Unfortunately, this realization doesn’t occur in production teams. It’s heartbreaking.
In the meantime, Fatima Sana Shaikh’s upcoming film is Metro In Dino. She is also working on the films Ul Jalool Ishq and Aap Jaisa Koi.
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