Fatima Sana Shaikh on Industry Misconduct: Post-Me Too, Accountability Is Real

NDC DESK

Bollywood actor Fatima Sana Shaikh, known for her acclaimed roles in Dangal, Ludo, Thugs of Hindostan, and Sam Bahadur, recently offered candid insights into the evolving conversation around sexual misconduct and power dynamics in the film industry. In a heartfelt interview with Humans of Bombay, she reflected on the cultural shift that’s s taken place since the Me Too movement and the work still ahead.

Shaikh is among the few voices in Bollywood who have spoken openly about the casting couch and grey areas of misconduct that often go unaddressed. She noted that the atmosphere on film sets has significantly changed in recent years. “I think things have changed. People are much more accountable. They are a little more fearful”, she said.

The actress explained that many productions today have formal mechanisms to address grievances, with systems in place to investigate misconduct. “There is a conversation. There is an investigation …it exists in every industry “,she added, underscoring the broader shift toward taking complaints seriously.

Shaikh also spoke about the blurred lines that can develop when personal and professional relationships intertwine, especially in an industry where power hierarchies often go unchecked. “You are working with someone, you have become intimate. But then you don’t understand, the lines are blurred. Then there is the dynamic of the power”, she explained, pointing to the often unspoken complexities behind many incidents.

Highlighting the male-dominated nature of the industry, she emphasized that the Me Too movement empowered women to speak out and forced those in power to listen. Because it is a male-dominant industry. And now, after Me Too, women can talk about it.You will be held accountable.

While Fatima clarified that she hasn’t personally experienced overt sexual misconduct in Bollywood, she acknowledged having encountered uncomfortable situations. “It’s not like the industry is bad. Any incident that has happened, it’s s just been this one little, small-time somebody and some conversation”, she said.

Importantly, she stressed that such behavior isn’t confined.