Actor recalls first seizure, diagnosis during Dangal shoot and struggles with medication
March 13, 2026: Actor Fatima Sana Shaikh has once again spoken about her battle with Epilepsy, recalling how she first experienced seizures as a teenager and was later diagnosed during the shoot of Dangal. Speaking on the podcast All About Her hosted by Soha Ali Khan, Fatima shared that one of her earliest seizures happened during a dance class when she suddenly lost consciousness and later woke up in a hospital, feeling disoriented and frightened.
She revealed that during the intense training phase for Dangal, she began experiencing “auras,” a visual sensation that signalled an incoming seizure. While shooting and training for the film alongside Aamir Khan and Sanya Malhotra, one such episode occurred on set. The team quickly searched online to understand what was happening and ensured she received medical attention, as the production house realised the seriousness of the condition.
Fatima said medical tests including MRI and EEG confirmed the diagnosis, after which doctors prescribed medication. However, the treatment made her feel heavily sedated, depressed and emotionally unstable, making it difficult for her to continue training. She eventually stopped taking the medication without informing anyone and continued working while privately managing the condition, often isolating herself during warning signs of seizures. The actor said the struggle continued for nearly four years before she was able to better manage her health.