Fatima Sana Shaikh Discusses Her Long Struggle With Bulimia

Post by : Mina Rahman

In a heartfelt revelation, actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has discussed her ongoing battle with bulimia and emotional eating, issues that have haunted her since her transformative role in Dangal. Speaking on the Chapter 2 podcast hosted by Rhea Chakraborty while promoting her new film Gustaakh Ishq with Vijay Varma, Fatima offered a deep dive into the mental health struggles she concealed behind her on-screen persona.

Fatima's tumultuous relationship with food initiated during her intense regimen for Dangal, where she portrayed wrestler Geeta Phogat. To authentically depict her character, Fatima trained for about three hours daily and consumed 2,500 to 3,000 calories, a demanding routine that became unmanageable after filming ended. Following the production, her eating habits continued unchecked, leading to an unhealthy dynamic as her training dwindled.

This change fostered an unhealthy emotional dependence on food, severely impacting her mental wellbeing. She candidly admitted to battling bulimia for two years, detailing how her rigid dieting spiraled into obsession. With thoughts of food dominating her mind, she found it increasingly challenging to maintain a healthy outlook. Coping mechanisms often led her to binge during distressing moments, followed by extreme periods of starvation. These worrying patterns impeded her daily life, sometimes making it nearly impossible to step outside.

A turning point in her healing journey occurred when her Dangal co-star Sanya Malhotra addressed her concerning eating behaviors. This heartfelt confrontation prompted Fatima to reconsider her actions and confront her feelings of shame while also revealing the mental toll of her struggle. Additionally, screenwriter Rahul Mody played a crucial role by guiding her toward a healthier eating approach and providing consistent emotional support.

Fatima emphasized that mental health challenges often remain invisible, even when individuals seem composed externally. She elaborated on how she struggles internally with “demons and dark thoughts,” clarifying that her issues with overeating stemmed from using food to cope with deeper emotional complexities, insecurities, and stress.

Despite these challenges, Fatima expressed her growing awareness of her emotional triggers and her dedication to developing a healthier relationship with food. Describing the healing process as prolonged, she highlighted her commitment to self-acceptance and recovery.

On a professional note, Fatima recently appeared in the Netflix film Aap Jaisa Koi alongside R. Madhavan and played a pivotal role in the sequel of Life in a... Metro. With her upcoming film Gustaakh Ishq creating significant excitement, she is actively promoting the project.