EXCLUSIVE: Fatima Sana Shaikh initially refused to play Indira Gandhi in Sam Bahadur; reveals, “I said no”

Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur, the biopic on India’s first Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw, received acclaim and box office success when it was released last month. The movie, which stars Vicky Kaushal in the titular role, is now all set to premiere on OTT on ZEE5 from January 26, which is India’s Republic Day.

Sam Bahadur saw Fatima Sana Shaikh play the important character of India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, the actress revealed that she had initially refused the role. “I said no (laughs). I was like, ‘I don’t think I am the right person’. Then Meghna said, ‘No, I think you are the right person’. I was like, ‘Theek hai, agar aapko lagta hai toh hum karte hain saath mein kaam’,” she said.

The filmmaker was a major reason why Fatima agreed to do Sam Bahadur. “I always wanted to work with Meghna Gulzar,” she said. “So, it’s been a milestone. And I feel Vicky is one of the most talented actors of our generation. I got to work with him and again with Sanya (Malhotra). So, it felt like the right project for me to collaborate with these people. I hope more people will see the film now on OTT and like our work. That will be the biggest victory.”

Fatima said that although she saw old videos of Indira Gandhi to prepare for herself, she relied more on the director. “Meghna was very clear what she wanted from me for Indira ji,” said Fatima. “She had curated everything for me. I have read about her life, childhood and everything she has done and contributed. I have seen her old videos, which Films Division also had. But Meghna decided what are the things she wanted to pick from the character and how much.”

That’s not all. Fatima was amazed by Meghna Gulzar’s preparations. “She has a great eye for detail. There is nothing that she doesn’t know about that era, wars, uniform, textile, etc. She is an encyclopaedia. You can ask her anything about Sam Bahadur, Indira Gandhi or any character. She is so intelligent. But at the same time, she knows exactly what she wants, and she is so sure of herself. It’s lovely to have a director who knows what she wants,” she said.

Fatima added that getting the make-up done to get the look of Indira Gandhi was a major challenge. “It’s a very lengthy process,” she said. “You have to sit for three hours. Somehow you manage to do that. I think the biggest task for actors is to sit calmly when you are getting something like this done. You can’t move or do anything. That’s the most boring part of the day.”

Sam Bahadur has some confrontational scenes between Fatima and Vicky. Sharing her experience with the actor, she said, “He (Vicky) is a brilliant actor and a very good co-actor. So, it’s been a pleasure to work with him. He has always been very collaborative and giving. I really enjoyed working with him.”

Sam Bahadur had released alongside the Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal on December 1. When asked whether the film would have done even better at the box office if it was released solo, Fatima said, “I have no idea, to be honest, because we can’t say what could or could not have happened. I think it found its audience. Maybe later also it would have happened. Honestly, I don’t know. It’s unknown.”

Fatima has a line-up of films slated for 2024, including Metro… In Dino. “I am very excited because I have spent my New Years and birthday working. I am working every day. So, I am just feeling blessed. This year, I am doing a lot of work, so I am excited,” she signed off.

Also Read: Karan Johar calls Vicky Kaushal “Legend”; pens a heartwarming review for Sam Bahadur

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