Fatima Sana Shaikh’s latest release Dhak Dhak is a tale of sisterhood. To the actor, sisterhood could well be the off-camera theme of her next, Sam Bahadur. Meghna Gulzar’s directorial venture, after all, reunites Shaikh with her Dangal (2016) co-star Sanya Malhotra. But while their debut film saw them share several scenes together, Sam Bahadur has left her wishing for a full-fledged film with Malhotra. 

“I am aching to do a film where we have a lot of interactions because she is an incredible actor,” she smiles.

Their friendship is a fitting answer to the industry that revels in pitting contemporaries against one another. To Shaikh, comparisons with Malhotra are only background noise.

“Recently, Sanya and I were discussing that two actors might begin their careers together, but their journeys won’t ever be the same. Our choices will be different depending on where we come from. Initially I used to wonder why they were comparing us. But I am content where I am, knowing I am here because of my choices. I have to be kind to myself because if I am not, then I am putting myself down. That’s something I won’t do.”

In the seven years since the sports drama, the actor has come a long way, building a diverse filmography. While her film choices are guided by instinct, she attributes her work ethic to mentor-friend Aamir Khan. Spending time with him on the sets of Dangal and Thugs Of Hindostan (2018) has been a learning in itself.

“When Sanya and I started our careers, he was such a professional on set. Seeing his strong work ethics, we also developed that. When you see a star behaving in such a sincere manner, you realise that being there on time and learning your lines is the least an actor can do.”

These years have also taught her the value of having dependable friends in the cut-throat industry. She feels lucky in that regard, counting Khan, Anurag Basu, Shonali Bose and Anil Kapoor among her well-wishers. The actor, who is reuniting with Basu for Metro… In Dino, reveals the director helped her become less critical of herself.

She recalls, “Dada has helped build my confidence. When I did Ludo [2020], I used to criticise myself a lot. I’d keep saying that I am not a good actor. But Dada kept on saying, ‘Don’t be so harsh on yourself. You are good.’ Then I felt that if Anurag Basu was saying this, there must be something in me.”