Bollywood actress Fatima Sana Shaikh recently swapped acting duties for acting studies once again when she attended an acting workshop at Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Arts in Puducherry recently.
Sharing that it was her way of rediscovering her craft, the actress further talks to us about breaking out of her creative comfort zone, the filmmakers from the South she’d love to collaborate with, and more.
‘THERE WERE MOMENTS WHEN I FELT OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE’
Revealing why she returned to the coastal city for a second time to attend a workshop, Fatima says, “The first time, I connected with the way they look at acting. A lot of what they taught stayed with me. But I honestly felt I didn’t fully understand or embody all of it. So, when I had a break, I felt like going back.”
‘The stories here never seem disconnected from the culture’
Ask her about her interest in working in Tamil or other South Indian languages, and Fatima says, “I’d genuinely love to. There’s so much exciting work happening across the South. As an actor, that’s incredibly inspiring. I really admire how rooted the storytelling feels. Whether it’s an intimate film or on a much larger scale, there’s always a strong sense of identity. The stories never seem disconnected from the culture, the people or the place they’re coming from, and I find that beautiful. I’d love to be part of that kind of storytelling.”
‘The experience this time, she says, was intense. “The days were packed. We’d start with an hour of Kalari , followed by eye exercises and a long session exploring emotions. After that, there was breathwork, music, voice and rhythm. It was almost nine hours of training every day for about ten days. There were moments when I felt out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed that. That’s usually where I learn the most.”
‘THE WORK YOU PUT IN WHILE NOT ON SET IS WHAT EVENTUALLY SHOWS UP ON SCREEN’
The workshop reinforced her belief that acting is a craft that requires constant practice. She says, “The work you put in when you're not on set is what eventually shows up on screen.”
Fatima describes the process of being a student again as humbling. “You realise you don't know all the answers. You're constantly stepping out of your comfort zone, and there's no hierarchy. Everyone is there to learn, make mistakes and start again. It really humbles you. When you let go of the idea that you already know a lot about something, you're open to learning so much more.”
‘ACTING CAN BECOME MECHANICAL WITHOUT YOU EVEN REALISING’
It’s a desire to keep challenging herself that has led Fatima to acting workshops. “Acting can become mechanical without you even realising. You finish one film and jump into another, repeating little things that worked before. Then your performances become stale. Workshops break that pattern, and I never want to get too comfortable. If something sparks my curiosity, I explore it. That’s the way to keep growing as an actor.”
‘THE TOOLS THEY GIVE AT THE WORKSHOP STAY WITH YOU’
Earlier this year, she also attended a training programme at Natana Kairali in Irinjalakuda, Kerala. Fatima says both workshops offered different experiences. “The workshop in Kerala gave me a deeper appreciation of our traditional performance practices. But the approach at Adishakti really resonates with me. The tools they give you stay with you and become something you can keep practising as an actor every day. Both experiences were valuable, but Adishakti is a place I know I’ll keep going back to.”
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