New Delhi: Fatima Sana Shaikh who was last seen Netflix film 'Thar' has recently opened up about epilepsy. The actress' revelation has widened the scope of mental health and neurological discussion in the public domain as far as Bollywood celebs are concerned. In a recent intercation, the actress opened up further about her struggle of accepting epilepsy, coming to terms with it and the taboo attached to it.
In an interaction with Hindustan Times, Fatima shared an experience of an epileptic seizure which happened on a plane. Fatima further revealed that it was the most frightening episode of her life, making her realize that she cannot travel alone any longer.
"It kept my work and life on hold. For me this was a big jhatka, I really thought I’m lucky that I survived. I’ve had big episodes in the past, but this was the most difficult as I was all alone. Now I cannot travel alone, I need someone with me.”
“I’ve not hidden it, but kabhi mauka nahi mila (I never got the chance). I took some time to understand what it was. There’s so much stigma attached. You think log sochenge that you have an ailment. I didn’t want people to think I’m weak. I was scared that if I tell people that I have this then I will not get work. I, also, didn’t want to accept that I have a neurological condition. I realised as a person who is going through this, it’s my responsibility to tell my producers that you have a person who has this condition," Fatima shared as to why she was getting candid about epilepsy now.
People in the rural areas think drugs kar liya, devi chadh gayi. People don’t get married because people don’t know about it. They cannot work, because you become a liability. That is the reason I wasn’t talking much about it or telling anyone about it,” the actor concluded.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Fatima Sana Shaikh has 'Dhak Dhak' and 'Sam Bahadur' in the pipeline.