Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh recently made a special appearance at IFP Season 15 in Mumbai, where she opened up about her profound experience working with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah in her latest romantic drama 'Gustaakh Ishq'.
An Intimate Conversation About Old-School Romance
During an engaging session titled 'Bringing Back Old-School Romance', Fatima appeared alongside her co-star Vijay Varma, where both actors discussed the complexities of love, relationships, and the imperfections that make them real. The conversation took place at the prestigious IFP Season 15 event held in Mumbai, drawing significant attention from industry insiders and fans alike.
Fatima described Naseeruddin Shah as "inherently a teacher" and shared a particularly touching moment from the film's shooting that highlighted his unique approach to acting. "I was actually very worried he would judge me," she confessed, revealing her initial nervousness about performing opposite the legendary actor.
The Heartbeat Moment That Changed Everything
Recalling a specific emotional scene where she had to cry, Fatima revealed how Shah transformed her performance with a simple yet powerful gesture. "He placed my hand on his pulse so I could feel the heartbeat, basically telling me to be in the moment," she shared, visibly emotional while recounting the experience.
What made this moment particularly empowering for the young actress was Shah's reassuring words: "It's okay. Feel it. You don't have to hit those beats perfectly." This guidance helped her deliver a more authentic performance and highlighted Shah's teaching approach to acting.
Vijay Varma's Divine Comparison
When asked about how Naseeruddin Shah's presence influenced the set atmosphere and their performances, Vijay Varma responded with awe and admiration. "Have you heard him? It sounds like God is talking to you directly," he expressed, comparing Shah's voice to Morgan Freeman's iconic narration in Hollywood.
Varma elaborated on Shah's exceptional linguistic abilities, noting his command over Hindi, Urdu, English, Punjabi, and Parsi dialects. He emphatically stated, "He is an institution," emphasizing that merely observing Shah work provided invaluable learning experiences.
The actor placed his experience with Shah alongside his previous encounter with Amitabh Bachchan during 'Pink' shooting, calling both "profound experiences" that left lasting impressions on his craft.
Modern Love Habits and Character Insights
The conversation also touched upon contemporary relationship dynamics, with Fatima sharing her affection for video calls in long-distance relationships. "Those early morning voice notes, or video calls, are so cute," she revealed, offering a glimpse into her personal preferences regarding modern romance.
Vijay Varma provided interesting insights about his character in 'Gustaakh Ishq', humorously noting that his on-screen persona "has failed visibly in love in the film" and therefore doesn't understand love better than he does in real life.
The film marks fashion designer Manish Malhotra's debut as a producer and was released on November 28, receiving positive responses from both critics and audiences. The star-studded cast of Fatima Sana Shaikh, Vijay Varma, and Naseeruddin Shah has been praised for their compelling performances in this romantic drama that explores the complexities of modern relationships.
