How Director Anurag Basu Helped Fatima Sana Shaikh Overcome Self-Doubt

Fatima Sana Shaikh Reflects on Her Journey

Mumbai: Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, who is actively promoting her new film ‘Metro… In Dino’, shared insights about her initial struggles with self-confidence during the filming of Ludo.

She admitted that she faced significant self-doubt at that time, but director Anurag Basu was instrumental in helping her gain confidence. Now, she feels much more at ease and self-assured when collaborating with him.

In a conversation with a news outlet, Fatima expressed, “When you learn to trust him completely, you start to relax. You stop overthinking and become more instinctive. That’s what I experienced. I found clarity while working on ‘Ludo’. Initially, I was quite uncertain as an actor. For him, working with numerous actors, he may not fully grasp the impact of his words. However, one day he told me, ‘Stop doubting yourself. What you’re doing is right. Trust your instincts.’”

She added, “Hearing that from Anurag Basu is incredibly significant. He might not realize how impactful his words are, but for a newcomer like me, it transformed my approach to scenes. I thought, ‘Let me see how wrong I can be.’”

Fatima continued, “This time around, I feel I’ve improved as an actor compared to my role in ‘Ludo’. Navigating my character was much easier this time. I had surrendered to the process, but I also felt I had more control over my craft.”

Produced by Gulshan Kumar & T-Series in collaboration with Anurag Basu Productions Pvt. Ltd., ‘Metro In Dino’ is set to hit theaters on July 4, 2025.