Mumbai: Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, best known for Dangal, recently revealed her encounter with the casting couch in the South film industry. In an interview with a leading news agency, she recounted how a casting agent persistently asked if she was “ready to do everything” for a role. Initially confused, she later understood the implication but chose to play along to test his persistence. “I played dumb because I wanted to see how low he can get,” she shared.
SHOCKING: Dangal actress Fatima Sana Shaikh says many producers from Hyderabad asked her to sleep🛌 with them for a role in film. pic.twitter.com/PAnO4jSF9u
— Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) January 31, 2025
Fatima also spoke about the unspoken norms in the industry, particularly in Hyderabad, where some small producers subtly hint at such demands. “They wouldn’t say it directly but used phrases like ‘You have to meet people,’” she revealed. In Bollywood, she faced a different struggle—casting directors demanding a cut from newcomers’ earnings in exchange for roles. Her candid revelations have sparked conversations online, with many praising her bravery while others debated the industry’s realities.