Bollywood actress Fatima Sana Shaikh recently shared her unsettling experiences with the casting couch in an interview with Bollywood Bubble. Reflecting on her early struggles, Fatima revealed uncomfortable encounters with agents and producers in the industry, shedding light on the darker side of showbiz.
Fatima recounted a disturbing interaction with a casting agent for a South Indian film, where she was repeatedly asked, “You will be ready to do everything, right?” She explained how she feigned ignorance to gauge the extent of his inappropriate suggestions.
Another incident occurred in Hyderabad, where producers indirectly implied inappropriate expectations. Fatima revealed, “They wouldn’t say things outright but made their intentions clear with phrases like, ‘You have to meet people’ or ‘You have to do this and that.’”
Despite these challenges, Fatima acknowledged that not everyone in the industry behaves this way. However, she expressed sorrow over the widespread prevalence of such incidents, highlighting how even renowned actors have faced similar ordeals.
On the professional front, Fatima will star in Anurag Basu’s Metro…In Dino, a spiritual sequel to Life in a… Metro (2007), alongside an ensemble cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, and Pankaj Tripathi. She is also set to feature in Ul Jalool Ishq, directed by Manish Malhotra, sharing the screen with Vijay Varma and Naseeruddin Shah.
Fatima’s revelations underscore the need for conversations around misconduct in the entertainment industry and the importance of creating a safe, respectful environment for artists.