Bollywood actor Fatima Sana Shaikh, while attending the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, opened up about her cherished memories of the coastal state, her experiences filming her upcoming project Gustaakh Ishq, and her views on the evolving landscape of digital entertainment.
Goa: A Haven of Freedom and First Friends' Trips
Speaking with Goa Times, Fatima fondly recalled her very first holiday with friends, which was planned in Goa. She described it as a whirlwind adventure filled with laughter and exploration. "My first friends trip was planned in Goa, we did everything, like ride bikes here on Goan streets. It was a fun time," she reminisced.
This initial experience left a lasting impression, making biking an essential ritual during her subsequent visits. "So every time I come to Goa, I hire a bike and I ride it," she stated, attributing this habit to the good road conditions and relatively lighter traffic compared to metropolitan cities.
More importantly, she highlighted the sense of liberation Goa offers, especially for women. "I feel that in Goa, people don't judge you, it could be because there are many women riders here. In cities, when you ride usually you have other people honking or following. I don't see that here," Fatima explained, emphasizing the state's unique, accepting vibe.
Contrasting Co-Stars: From Ratna Pathak's Chill to Naseeruddin Shah's Warmth
The conversation shifted to her work with veteran actors. Comparing her co-stars from different projects, she noted that Ratna Pathak and Naseeruddin Shah are quite opposite in energy. Having worked with Ratna Pathak in Dhak Dhak, she described her as "very chill and bindaas."
Her experience with Naseeruddin Shah on the set of Gustaakh Ishq, however, came with initial apprehensions. "Naseeruddin ji is very shant and poised and he doesn't talk a lot. So, in my head I had made quite some narratives that he is going to judge me. I was very scared," she admitted.
To her relief, the reality was completely different. "He was absolutely the opposite of that. He was extremely warm, very giving," she revealed. Fatima praised him as a protective and insightful guide on set. "If he felt ki agar ye scene kisi aur direction mein ja sakta hai, he would always give interesting suggestions and protect you. So, that was nice. He is a good teacher. I had a wonderful experience," she added with a smile.
Navigating Genre Shifts and the OTT Advantage
Discussing her role in Gustaakh Ishq, Fatima shared the challenge of transitioning immediately from playing a police officer in her film Nyaya to the character of Minni. "The very next day after playing a cop, I had to play the character of Minni which was a complete shift and a different world. The pace of this world is different, the language is also different," she said, calling the switch "very disorienting."
She credited director Vijay for noticing her emotional state and guiding her through the process, telling her not to take tension.
Finally, Fatima expressed her appreciation for the creative freedom offered by OTT (Over-The-Top) platforms. "OTT is open to different kinds of genres and it doesn't matter if you are a star. Box office ka stress nahi hota," she pointed out. She described this environment as fundamentally democratic. "When there is no stress of box office, there is freedom to make whatever you want and eventually the audience decides whether they like it or not. So, that's a very democratic process," Fatima concluded, encapsulating the transformative nature of digital streaming in Indian cinema.
