# Fatima Sana Shaikh (फ़ातिमा सना शेख)
**Fatima Sana Shaikh** (फ़ातिमा सना शेख) is an Indian actress who works in [Hindi cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindi-cinema) and streaming series, known for playing the wrestler [Geeta Phogat](https://www.edgepedia.org/geeta-phogat) in *[Dangal](https://www.edgepedia.org/dangal-film)* (2016) and, most recently, a police officer in the JioHotstar series *Hunkkaar: The Roar* (2026). She began her career as a child artist in the 1997 film *Chachi 420*.[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/fatima-sana-shaikh.html) • [2](https://www.amarujala.com/entertainment/celebs-interviews/fatima-sana-shaikh-on-her-carrier-films-family-and-hunkkaar-web-series-2026-09-29?position=8&src=tlh)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1992 in Hyderabad, then Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), India[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/fatima-sana-shaikh.html) • [3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/fatima_sana_shaikh) |
| Debut | Child artist in *Chachi 420* (1997), opposite Kamal Haasan[4](https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/news-from-bollywood/people-used-to-tell-me-not-to-talk-about-actors-in-me-sana-sheikh/articleshow/68548283.cms) |
| Breakthrough | Geeta Phogat in *Dangal* (2016)[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/fatima_sana_shaikh) |
| Notable roles | Zafira in *Thugs of Hindostan* (2018); Indira Gandhi in *Sam Bahadur* (2023)[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/fatima_sana_shaikh) |
| Health | Diagnosed with epilepsy during the *Dangal* shoot; speaks publicly about the condition[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-reveals-she-was-diagnosed-with-epilepsy-during-dangal-shoot-feared-having-seizures-on-set-people-think-youre-on-drugs-or-possessed-9651476/) |
| Current work | Plays a police officer for the first time in *Hunkkaar: The Roar* (2026) on JioHotstar[2](https://www.amarujala.com/entertainment/celebs-interviews/fatima-sana-shaikh-on-her-carrier-films-family-and-hunkkaar-web-series-2026-09-29?position=8&src=tlh) |
## Early life and child-artist years
Shaikh was born in 1992 in [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad), in what was then [Andhra Pradesh](https://www.edgepedia.org/andhra-pradesh), and did her early schooling in Mumbai.[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/fatima-sana-shaikh.html) Her parents were from [Jammu and Kashmir](https://www.edgepedia.org/jammu-and-kashmir) and lived near the Kamalistan and Filmistan studios in Mumbai; in a Filmfare interview she described the family as lower-middle-class and said her parents, fascinated by film shoots they watched daily, eventually found their way into getting their children cast.[6](https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/exclusive-fatima-sana-shaikh-on-being-a-child-artist-her-journey-more-70640.amp)
She began as a child artist with *Chachi 420* (1997), starring [Kamal Haasan](https://www.edgepedia.org/kamal-haasan), and as a leading child artiste shared the screen with [Shah Rukh Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/shah-rukh-khan) and [Juhi Chawla](https://www.edgepedia.org/juhi-chawla) in *One 2 Ka 4*.[4](https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/news-from-bollywood/people-used-to-tell-me-not-to-talk-about-actors-in-me-sana-sheikh/articleshow/68548283.cms) • [7](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/fatima-sana-shaikh-when-i-was-a-child-artiste-i-struggled-to-fit-in-at-school/articleshow/88106542.cms) She has described difficult conditions in those years: 15- to 16-hour shooting days, little supervision once her parents set initial expectations, and exposure to criticism about her looks that she says warped her sense of the ideal image.[6](https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/exclusive-fatima-sana-shaikh-on-being-a-child-artist-her-journey-more-70640.amp)
**Leaving and returning.** She quit films as a child artist because she missed being around children her own age; shuttling between 16-hour shoots and school left her without a core set of friends, and she was bullied by classmates.[7](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/fatima-sana-shaikh-when-i-was-a-child-artiste-i-struggled-to-fit-in-at-school/articleshow/88106542.cms) After 12th grade she dropped out to explore fine arts, an interest from classes 11 and 12, but gave it up because her parents could not afford it.[6](https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/exclusive-fatima-sana-shaikh-on-being-a-child-artist-her-journey-more-70640.amp) She returned to acting through television, including *Ladies Special* and *Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo*, where she says she shot 13 to 14 hours at a stretch and received scripts minutes before takes.[7](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/fatima-sana-shaikh-when-i-was-a-child-artiste-i-struggled-to-fit-in-at-school/articleshow/88106542.cms)
## Dangal and film career
*Dangal* (2016), the [Aamir Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/aamir-khan) wrestling drama, was her breakthrough; she played Geeta Phogat, and the film remains her highest-rated title on Rotten Tomatoes.[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/fatima_sana_shaikh) She has said that being cast felt strange after years of auditions and rejections: she and [Sanya Malhotra](https://www.edgepedia.org/sanya-malhotra) were told in about 30 seconds that they had the film.[8](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/web-series-review-dangal-girl-fatima-sana-shaikh-talks-about-her-career-and-opportunities-21572859.html) Despite starting her adult career with such a large film, she has said the journey was not easy, because people told her she did not look like established stars such as [Deepika Padukone](https://www.edgepedia.org/deepika-padukone) or Katrina Kaif.[4](https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/news-from-bollywood/people-used-to-tell-me-not-to-talk-about-actors-in-me-sana-sheikh/articleshow/68548283.cms)
Her subsequent films include *Thugs of Hindostan* (2018), her lowest-rated title on Rotten Tomatoes at 19% from critics; the anthologies *Ludo* (2020) and *Ajeeb Daastaans* (2021), the latter her highest-rated at 100% from critics; *Dhak Dhak* (2023); *Sam Bahadur* (2023), in which she played Prime Minister Indira Gandhi; and *Metro... In Dino* (2025).[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/fatima_sana_shaikh) • [9](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/fatima-sana-shaikh/) In interviews she has said she chooses films she would want to watch herself and that the size of a role matters less than the story.[8](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/web-series-review-dangal-girl-fatima-sana-shaikh-talks-about-her-career-and-opportunities-21572859.html)
## Hunkkaar and recent work
In 2026 Shaikh appeared in *Hunkkaar: The Roar* on JioHotstar, playing a police officer for the first time; the series centers on a 17-year-old character named Meenu Rawat.[2](https://www.amarujala.com/entertainment/celebs-interviews/fatima-sana-shaikh-on-her-carrier-films-family-and-hunkkaar-web-series-2026-09-29?position=8&src=tlh) • [10](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/bollywood-hunkkaar-actress-fatima-sana-shaikh-talks-about-social-media-trolling-and-how-the-bollywood-industry-works-40386192.html) Promoting the series, she told [Hindustan Times](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindustan-times) that, barring a few exceptions, layered, good roles for women are scarce in the Hindi entertainment industry, and that actors often take work they do not want for money.[11](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-admits-actors-often-do-work-they-don-t-want-to-for-money-hunkkaar-jiohotstar-101790311249519.html)
## Health advocacy
Shaikh was diagnosed with epilepsy during the *Dangal* shoot, after an episode left her waking up in a hospital, and she spent about five years in denial before accepting the neurological condition.[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-reveals-she-was-diagnosed-with-epilepsy-during-dangal-shoot-feared-having-seizures-on-set-people-think-youre-on-drugs-or-possessed-9651476/) • [12](https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/fatima-sana-shaikh-epilepsy-seizures-health-neurological-disorder-8265719/) She first spoke about it publicly during National Epilepsy Awareness Month in 2022, after a severe episode on a flight left her hospitalized for two days and alone; she has said she feared disclosure would cost her work.[13](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-opens-on-her-epilepsy-for-the-first-time-was-scared-that-if-i-tell-people-that-i-have-it-then-i-will-not-get-work-101669707090278.html) She now informs directors she works with, has had seizures on the set of *Dhak Dhak*, and has pushed back on myths about seizure first aid, including the false practice of making a patient smell a stinking shoe.[12](https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/fatima-sana-shaikh-epilepsy-seizures-health-neurological-disorder-8265719/) • [14](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/fatima-sana-shaikh-opens-up-on-having-an-epileptic-seizure-on-dhak-dhak-set-i-live-with-it/articleshow/104722270.cms) • [15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-battling-epilepsy-seizures-medication-8267380/)
In a 2025 interview she also discussed an eating disorder, bulimia, saying it began after the intense training and diet for her physical transformation in *Dangal*, and described a long struggle with her self-image.[16](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/fatima-speaks-hard-truths-on-battling-epilepsy-bulimia-and-years-she-lost-to-them-2821282-2025-11-17)
## Notes on her birthplace
Filmibeat and Rotten Tomatoes both list Hyderabad as her birthplace.[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/fatima-sana-shaikh.html) • [3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/fatima_sana_shaikh)
## References
1. [फातिमा सना शेख: उम्र, मूवी, जीवनी, Filmibeat Hindi](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/fatima-sana-shaikh.html)
2. [Interview: Fatima Sana Shaikh on Hunkkaar, Amar Ujala](https://www.amarujala.com/entertainment/celebs-interviews/fatima-sana-shaikh-on-her-carrier-films-family-and-hunkkaar-web-series-2026-09-29?position=8&src=tlh)
3. [Fatima Sana Shaikh Movies & TV Shows List, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/fatima_sana_shaikh)
4. [लोग मुझे कहते थे मुझमें अदाकाराओं वाली बात नहीं: सना शेख, Navbharat Times (PTI)](https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/news-from-bollywood/people-used-to-tell-me-not-to-talk-about-actors-in-me-sana-sheikh/articleshow/68548283.cms)
5. [Fatima Sana Shaikh reveals she was diagnosed with epilepsy during Dangal shoot, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-reveals-she-was-diagnosed-with-epilepsy-during-dangal-shoot-feared-having-seizures-on-set-people-think-youre-on-drugs-or-possessed-9651476/)
6. [Exclusive: Fatima Sana Shaikh on being a child artist, her journey & more, Filmfare](https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/exclusive-fatima-sana-shaikh-on-being-a-child-artist-her-journey-more-70640.amp)
7. [Fatima Sana Shaikh: When I was a child artiste, I struggled to fit in at school, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/fatima-sana-shaikh-when-i-was-a-child-artiste-i-struggled-to-fit-in-at-school/articleshow/88106542.cms)
8. [फातिमा सना शेख ने बताई जीवन की 'अजीब दास्तान', Dainik Jagran](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/web-series-review-dangal-girl-fatima-sana-shaikh-talks-about-her-career-and-opportunities-21572859.html)
9. [Fatima Sana Shaikh filmography, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/fatima-sana-shaikh/)
10. [हुंकार: फातिमा सना शेख का बेबाक बयान, Dainik Jagran](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/bollywood-hunkkaar-actress-fatima-sana-shaikh-talks-about-social-media-trolling-and-how-the-bollywood-industry-works-40386192.html)
11. [Fatima Sana Shaikh admits actors often do work 'they don't want to' for money, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-admits-actors-often-do-work-they-don-t-want-to-for-money-hunkkaar-jiohotstar-101790311249519.html)
12. [Fatima Sana Shaikh opens up about living with epilepsy, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/fatima-sana-shaikh-epilepsy-seizures-health-neurological-disorder-8265719/)
13. [Fatima Sana Shaikh opens on her epilepsy for the first time, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-opens-on-her-epilepsy-for-the-first-time-was-scared-that-if-i-tell-people-that-i-have-it-then-i-will-not-get-work-101669707090278.html)
14. [Fatima Sana Shaikh opens up on having an epileptic seizure on Dhak Dhak set, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/fatima-sana-shaikh-opens-up-on-having-an-epileptic-seizure-on-dhak-dhak-set-i-live-with-it/articleshow/104722270.cms)
15. [Fatima Sana Shaikh reveals she's battling epilepsy, shuts down myth of smelling stinking shoe, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/fatima-sana-shaikh-battling-epilepsy-seizures-medication-8267380/)
16. [Fatima speaks hard truths on battling epilepsy, bulimia, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/fatima-speaks-hard-truths-on-battling-epilepsy-bulimia-and-years-she-lost-to-them-2821282-2025-11-17)
17. ['Dangal' girl Fatima Sana Shaikh wrestles with fame and failure, Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/dangal-girl-fatima-sana-shaikh-wrestles-with-fame-and-failure-1.64281456)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Hindi film actors, 2010s onward › Surnames R to T*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license