One of the most talked about films,Thugs of Hindostan stars Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh. While there has been a lot of interest around the film, the makers have been extremely secretive. Fatima Sana Shaikh who plays a warrior in this period drama opens up about the film.
Fatima has been riding the wave of Dangal’s success. She even signed her first brand endorsement deal and is now the brand ambassador of Fossil.
From acting in a blockbuster film to endorsing an international brand, does it all still feel like a dream?
Fatima Sana Shaikh: Of course ya, it is still a dream. I am half of the time hallucinating and half of the time I am on a different plane all together. I would never have imagined myself being associated with an international brand, you know? You don’t think of these things, you don’t think of these things happening to you.
The next film that everyone is looking forward to is Thugs of Hindostan. We hear it was shot in locations where Game of Thrones was shot. Is that true?
No, not where Game of Thrones was shot but where 300 and other such action films were shot. So it was quite beautiful because actually that place is intact. The real infrastructure there, in Malta, is like very very old and it’s been there since hundreds of years. So it’s very intriguing because you are shooting in a place where things have really happened and where other big films have been shot.
The film has actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif. Were you intimidated at any point?
FS: No, because they never made me feel like that. They never intimidated me. They were always welcoming and warm and very nice to me.
It’s a delight to be working with Bachchan Sir. He is really very nice and he is very sweet. He has his own inputs to give and it’s very overwhelming because you have grown up watching these people and they are your idols and I am so glad that I am getting to work with them.Fatima Sana Sheikh, Actor
With whom did you bond the most on the sets?
FS: The director, Viktor (Vijay Krishna Acharya). He is very sweet, very intelligent and very warm as a person. I had a great time working with him. He is very nice, he is like my father - the way he takes care of me. I keep falling. I am very clumsy. So, I’ll do a very difficult action sequence but when I am walking, I’ll fall. So people are used to it.
You recently met Jackie Chan in China. How was the experience and were you shocked to see so many Dangal fans?
FS: I was truly shocked and the best thing about China is that the people are extremely warm and Jackie Chan, he is a sweetheart yaar. I am telling you, it was a pleasure meeting him because he would come and pick up my gown and help me walk. He is just a very sweet and a very nice person and what a host! The award show there was a spectacle because attention was paid to the tiniest of details. I really enjoyed being there and I wish I could spend more time there.
Tell us about you association with Fossil.
FS: Well, it just happened and I am very excited that it did. I have always loved their designs. It’s quite interesting, it’s quite modern and vintage. It’s a mix of both. I am not lying, but before this I have never worn a watch. I have never in my life bought a watch. My mother owns a few watches and that’s it, she never gave me her watches. She never trusts me with her things. So, you know, it’s very special for me because Fossil is the first watch brand and for me it’s the first watch that I own.
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