Indian film actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has revealed that she was physically assaulted by a man after she resisted sexual harassment, in a candid conversation highlighting the everyday struggles women face in public and private spaces.
In an interview, the Dangal star opened up about a traumatic incident from her past that continues to haunt her to this day.
Recalling the episode, Shaikh said, “A man once touched me inappropriately. I slapped him, but in return, he hit me so hard that I fell to the ground. I reacted because I was violated, but he was enraged by my resistance.”
The actress, who has often portrayed strong female characters on screen, said the encounter changed her outlook on life.
“After that day, I became more cautious. The tragedy is that even though someone else is at fault, it’s us—women—who are forced to calculate how we should respond.”
Shaikh, who has been vocal about gender discrimination in the industry and society, said the incident had a profound psychological impact on her. “It altered my personality. It made me realise how unsafe women are, and how they’re expected to endure in silence or suffer consequences for standing up for themselves.”
She also spoke about another distressing experience that occurred during the Covid-19 lockdown. “I was out cycling with my mask on when a car driver started following me.
He honked repeatedly and made strange noises. He kept tailing me until I turned into my street. It was terrifying.”
Her revelations have resonated widely, with many praising her for shedding light on the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and the emotional toll it takes on survivors.
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