An Open Dialogue on Mental Health and Body Image
Fatima Sana Shaikh, an actress known for her strong roles and her upcoming film Gustaakh Ishq, discussed a very personal part of her life while talking with Rhea Chakraborty for something possibly quite moving. She spoke about having Bulimia for a year, and her complicated relationship with food, making this one of the hottest topics circulating around communist newly implying it triggered gossiped stories around beautiful girl movies.
Fatima said that she has always had a lot of intensity about her body and her eating. In fact, she says, “I have to treat myself very strictly because I have this unhealthy relationship with food,” when discussing her dieting in the struggle for self-control with food.
“I Did Not Have Self-Control”: Fatima’s Candid Confession
There are even moments now when she feels tormented by her eating habits, as she shared.
“I’m just miserable because I have no self-control.” I’m just eating food, and I’m miserable. “Why do I not stop?” She said as it connected to her struggle with the emotional aspect of her relationship with food.
Fatima said this did not amount to just overeating; it created a head space described as food being something that comforted you and simultaneously was causing anxiety.
She recalled a time of constantly thinking about food and feeling trapped in habits that she found hard to break.
The Dangal Shift and Its Aftermath
Fatima Sana Shaikh’s role in Dangal stands out as one of her most significant roles because she underwent a substantial physical change. She shares the gravity of that time:
- Training: 3 hours of practice.
- Gym: 1.5 hours per day.
- Eating: 2,500-3,000 calories a day to gain weight.
Although the training ended long before Fatima spoke about it, she still felt that the way of eating adhered to the Dangal process stuck with her. She felt unfit and unhealthy, even after the film was released.
During this time, co-star Sanya Malhotra felt something was not right. Fatima said, “Sanya knew something was up. She said, ‘I only want you to know that I know.’ At that point, I felt shame and realized something was wrong.
Understanding Emotions
Fatima also revealed she has a “love-hate relationship” with herself, admitting that she often feels pressured to look a certain way. This preoccupation with how she looked only added to the emotional burden of her ordeal.
“It was damaging to me – to my mental health,” she recalled, while reflecting on the manner in which Bulimia affected her self-worth and daily life.
A New Age of Wellness Begins
Fatima stated that although it was tough, she is in a much better place now. She had become more self-aware, and with her support networks and personal growth, she had a much better understanding of her body and herself along with food. She said that healing is a process, and that she was learning and developing new things every day.
It was this honesty that led to discussions about body image, mental health, and the realities of being an actor that were important conversations to have, and which are particularly relevant considering the current zeitgeist, and more specifically, the bollywood news latest.
What’s Next for Fatima Sana Shaikh?
Professionally, Fatima is gearing up for the release of Gustaakh Ishq, which will see her paired up with Vijay Varma in this romantic drama releasing in theatres on November 28, 2025. Fans are excited for her return to the big screen.
