Fatima Sana Shaikh opens up about newcomer struggles in Bollywood; Reveals female co-star tried to steal the spotlight

Actor Fatima Sana Shaikh opened up about how new and supporting actors are often treated unfairly on Bollywood sets, especially if they don’t come from film families. In a chat, she also shared that one of her co-stars once tried to steal the spotlight, even while they were shooting scenes together.When Fatima was asked about power dynamics in Bollywood and whether supporting actors are treated like ‘second-grade’ when a big star is on set, she told Humans of Bombay, “It hundred percent happens, nepotism exists in every industry. I have played character actors, I have played small actors, I’ve experienced the difference. I am very mindful. If I’m on a set and if there’s somebody who’s a character actor or fairly new, I’m very respectful.

That’s my responsibility. I don’t want anybody to experience what I have. In instances where I’ve been made to feel small, I don’t want to do the same to others. It’s unnecessary to be badtameez (mannerless) to people.”During the rapid-fire round, Fatima was asked if any co-star had ever given her a strange or ridiculous suggestion. She said that hadn’t happened, but admitted she did work with a co-star who constantly tried to steal the limelight.

“I have had a co-actor who tried to make every scene about themselves. Every scene is written for a particular character, and if you make it about yourself, it makes the scene flat. It’s irritating.

When you’re doing a scene and aap aise koni mar mar ke aage ja rahe ho (you’re trying to elbow your way to the front). The scene isn’t even yours,” she said.She also unintentionally revealed that the co-star she was referring to was a woman.Fatima started her career as a child artist in movies like Ishq and Chachi 420. She made her debut as a lead actor in the 2008 film Tahaan. However, she rose to fame with the 2016 film Dangal, where she starred alongside Aamir Khan, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, and Suhani Bhatnagar.The 'Dangal' star will soon be seen in 'Metro... In Dino', which is set to release in theatres on 4 July. She also has Gustaakh Ishq and Aap Jaisa Koi coming up. In Metro… In Dino, she shares the screen with Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Jalak Thacker, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Neena Gupta, and Anupam Kher.