Another steely woman behind India’s Iron Lady

Updated On: 27 November, 2023 05:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu

Admitting that she lacked confidence to portray Indira Gandhi, Fatima states Sam Bahadur director Meghna Gulzar’s faith motivated her

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A still from the film

How does it feel to go from Dhak Dhak to playing the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Sam Bahadur? Daunting, admits Fatima Sana Shaikh. “I was nervous when I got the role, I didn’t know if I could pull it off. The personality of this character felt too big for me. She exists in public memory distinctly,” says the actor. Today, as she is seen standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Vicky Kaushal—who plays Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw—in the trailer, she attributes it to director Meghna Gulzar. “When I told Meghna I wasn’t sure [about doing the part], she told me to trust her. I didn’t have faith in myself, but she did. She handed me the entire research material.”

Meghna Gulzar