Fatima Sana Shaikh's Candid Revelation on Living with Epilepsy
Bollywood actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has consistently used her platform to raise awareness about epilepsy, a neurological condition she has lived with for years. In a recent heartfelt conversation on Soha Ali Khan's podcast, the actress delved into the harrowing details of her first seizure experiences and the eventual diagnosis that occurred during the filming of the blockbuster movie Dangal.
Early Seizure Episodes and Misdiagnosis Trauma
Recalling her initial encounter with a seizure, Fatima admitted that her memory of the event is fragmented and hazy. "I have no memory. I just remember feeling a lot of fear and passing out and ending up in the hospital," she shared. One particularly distressing incident took place at a dance class, where she collapsed during a session.
"I was dancing and I passed out, I was getting a seizure. One of the girls kept her hand in my mouth — you know how people say 'chamach daalo' and all that — so she put her hand in and I bit her. Apparently she was bleeding," Fatima recounted. Upon regaining consciousness, she found herself disoriented in a hospital surrounded by strangers, which led to tears and confusion.
Adding to the trauma, a doctor at the time dismissed her symptoms, suggesting they were attention-seeking behavior. "The doctor said, 'Oh, this is for attention.' They told my parents maybe there was some drug use. I was 15, so it was traumatic," she revealed, highlighting the stigma and misunderstanding often associated with epilepsy.
Diagnosis During Dangal Training and On-Set Seizure
Years later, while undergoing rigorous training for Dangal, Fatima began experiencing auras—sensory warnings that frequently precede seizures. "Woh time pe mujhe auras aate the, but mujhe nahi pata tha ki auras kya hote hain," she explained. She described these auras as a growing light on one side of her vision, accompanied by intense fear.
The situation escalated when a full seizure occurred on set. "I was training and it came. I kept saying, 'Nahi, nahi, kuchh nahi hoga.' But it kept increasing. So I told the people around me, 'Mujhe seizure aane wala hai.' Nobody knew what it was. Mujhe bhi nahi pata tha," Fatima said. Fortunately, co-stars Aamir Khan and Sanya Malhotra, along with trainer Kripa Shankar Bishnoi, quickly intervened, using online resources to assist her until medical help was arranged.
Medication Struggles and Long-Term Impact
Following the on-set incident, Fatima consulted a neurologist and underwent comprehensive tests, including MRIs and EEGs. She was prescribed medication, but the side effects were severe and debilitating. "It felt like I was under the influence. I couldn't walk straight, everything felt wonky. I was feeling very depressive and angry all the time. I felt very alienated," she confessed.
Due to the demands of her wrestling role in Dangal, Fatima made the difficult decision to stop taking the medication without informing anyone. "I had to wrestle and function, so I stopped taking it. But whenever I would get an aura, I would go to the bathroom, lock myself inside, lie on my side and hope it would pass and nobody would find out," she shared. This challenging period lasted for approximately four years before her condition eventually stabilized.
Current Projects and Ongoing Advocacy
On the professional front, Fatima Sana Shaikh is reportedly set to star in the upcoming courtroom drama series Nyaya, directed by Karan Kapadia and Nitya Mehra, with rumors of Aneet Padda also featuring. Through her openness about epilepsy, she continues to advocate for greater awareness and understanding of neurological conditions, inspiring others with her resilience and honesty.
