Home South Cinema Fatima Sana Shaikh Reveals Shocking Details On Casting Couch In The South Indian Film Industry
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Fatima Sana Shaikh Reveals Shocking Details On Casting Couch In The South Indian Film Industry

In a recent interview, actress Fatima Sana Shaikh talked about how she dealt with the casting couch in the early years of her career.

5 minutes read

Fatima Sana Shaikh has become one of the Indian film industry’s most gifted and promising actors. Through her outstanding performances, steadfast dedication, and capacity to take on challenging projects, Fatima’s path is a tale of passion, perseverance, and hard work. Following her early success as a child actor, Fatima’s career was uncertain for a while. However, Nitesh Tiwari’s huge hit movie Dangal in 2016 gave her a big break. Playing the role of Geeta Phogat, India’s first female wrestler to win gold at the Commonwealth Games, Fatima delivered a power-packed performance that won the hearts of millions.

After Dangal’s incredible success, Fatima Sana Shaikh demonstrated her versatility as an actor by taking on several roles. However, her journey has not been without challenges. Over time, she has openly spoken about her struggles, including instances of rejection and her experience with the casting couch. In a recent interview, Fatima talked about how she dealt with the casting couch in the early years.

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Fatima Sana Shaikh reveals how casting director took advantage of struggling actors

In an interview on Bollywood Bubble, Fatima Sana Shaikh described how each studio held its own auditions, which were frequently found by struggling actors via word of mouth. However, on the audition forms, the casting director—who would be in attendance at these studios—would request that performers provide their references.

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Afterward, when performers were paid for commercials or ads, they discovered that the same casting director had kept some of their money. Speaking about this, she said,

Even if we were at the audition through word-of-mouth, the casting director would ask us to write down our reference. That means you have to give 15 percent of your payment to them, despite not knowing them at all.

However, Fatima later clarified that respectable casting directors do not do this. She said,

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Known casting directors won’t do that; only fraud people would. Of course, Mukesh Chhabra and Anmol Ahuja don’t do that. But there are shady individuals who take advantage of young, struggling actors who are new to the city and don’t know much.

fatima sana shaikh interview

Instagram/Fatima Sana Shaikh

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Fatima Sana Shaikh reveals she faced the casting couch in the South Indian film industry

In the same interview, Fatima Sana Shaikh also talked about her experience on a casting couch. She talked about the call she got about getting a part in a South Indian movie and how a casting agent made her feel uncomfortable. Fatima said,

He asked me, ‘You will be ready to do everything, right?’ I told him that I will be working hard and will do what is required for the role, but he kept saying that and I played dumb because I wanted to see how low can he get.

Fatima Sana Shaikh also talked about another disturbing incident she had while in Hyderabad, when she was hoping to land a role in a South movie that might lead to Bollywood. She did, however, recall that some “small producers” talked about the casting couch in an open, although indirect, manner. Speaking about this, she said,

We were in a room, and the producers would talk about it very openly, giving indications that you have to meet people. They wouldn’t say it outright, but it was clear what they meant. However, not everyone is like that.

fatima sana shaikh casting couch allegations

Instagram/Fatima Sana Shaikh

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Fatima Sana Shaikh opens up about not getting much respect while doing side roles

When asked about her experience as a television actress, Fatima revealed that her time as a side actor did not garner her any respect. She said,

When you are not the lead, the side characters, juniors, or smaller roles don’t receive the same respect or treatment. They are often treated poorly on set, almost like they’re just there to sign in, like a daily attendance routine.

Disappointed by this, Fatima Sana Shaikh went on to say that even if one makes decent money, it hurts to be regarded as a second-class citizen if one does not receive proper respect. She said,

You might earn Rs. 1500 per day, which at the age of 14 or 15 seemed like a lot to me. But even then, the treatment wasn’t good. It’s hurtful to be treated as a second-class human being. Regardless of how small your role is, if you’re on set, you deserve respect. It’s not about getting a bigger vanity van or other luxuries; it’s about being treated with basic dignity. For people who don’t have much money and are doing smaller roles, the value of that money is far greater than for someone in a higher position. The daily wagers, like the lightmen and crew members, work hard, and if even one day’s pay is taken from them, it hurts them deeply. Unfortunately, this realization doesn’t occur in production teams. It’s heartbreaking.

fatima sana shaikh casting couch

Instagram/Fatima Sana Shaikh

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Meanwhile, on a work front, Fatima Sana Shaikh will be next seen in Metro In Dino. In addition, she is working on the films Aap Jaisa Koi and Ul Jalool Ishq.

What do you think about Fatima Sana Shaikh’s allegations? So share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.

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