Fatima Sana Shaikh Opens Up About Casting Couch in South Films-Recounts Her Experience

The actor shares unsettling encounters with casting directors and producers in the South film industry and Mumbai.

January 28, 2025: Fatima Sana Shaikh, known for her breakout role in Dangal alongside Aamir Khan, recently opened up about her experience with the casting couch during her early career. Speaking to Bollywood Bubble, the actor recounted uncomfortable incidents in the South film industry and Mumbai that highlighted the exploitation faced by newcomers.

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Recalling an unsettling encounter with a casting agent, Fatima shared, “He asked me, ‘You will be ready to do everything, right?’ I told him I would work hard and do what is required for the role, but he kept repeating the question in a way that made his intentions clear. I played dumb to see how far he would go.”

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Experience in Hyderabad

Fatima also revealed an incident during a visit to Hyderabad, where she hoped to land a role in a South film. She believed the opportunity could act as a stepping stone to enter the Hindi film industry. However, her interactions with producers painted a troubling picture.

“The producers would talk about it very openly, saying things like, ‘You know, here you have to meet people.’ They wouldn’t say things outright but would imply their intentions in strange ways,” she said.

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Casting Exploitation in Mumbai

Fatima further shed light on how newcomers were exploited in Mumbai, with casting directors demanding a “cut” from their earnings in exchange for providing references.

Her Film Journey

Fatima began her acting career as a child artist in Kamal Haasan’s Chachi 420 and later appeared in films like Thugs of Hindostan, Ludo, Ajeeb Daastaans, Thar, and Sam Bahadur. She will next feature in Anurag Basu’s multi-starrer Metro… In Dino.

By sharing her story, Fatima joins the growing list of actors speaking out against the casting couch culture in the entertainment industry, urging for a more transparent and ethical casting process.

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Fatima Sana Shaikh, Casting Couch, Bollywood, South Film Industry, Exploitation in Cinema, Dangal, Mumbai Film Industry, Metro In Dino