Fatima Sana Shaikh opens up about epilepsy struggle during Dangal

Indian actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has once again spoken about her battle with epilepsy, recalling how she experienced a seizure while training for the 2016 film Dangal and received support from co-stars Aamir Khan and Sanya Malhotra.

Speaking on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast All About Her, the actress said she frequently experienced “auras” warning signs that often occur before a seizure  while preparing for the film. At the time, she said, she did not understand what the symptoms meant.

Shaikh described seeing flashes of light on one side of her vision that gradually intensified, leaving her frightened because she did not know when a seizure might occur.

During a training session for Dangal, the sensation returned and became stronger. Realising that something serious was about to happen, she informed people around her. Since no one on set knew how to respond, Aamir Khan, Sanya Malhotra and wrestling trainer Kripa Shankar Bishnoi searched online for guidance and helped manage the situation.

She said the production team later arranged medical tests, including MRI and EEG scans, and took her to a neurologist in Mumbai, who prescribed medication.

However, Shaikh said the medication caused severe side effects, including disorientation, difficulty walking and mood swings such as anger and depression. Struggling to cope while continuing intense wrestling training for the film, she eventually stopped taking the medication without informing anyone.

After discontinuing treatment, the actress said she continued to experience seizures and often hid in the bathroom whenever she sensed an aura, locking the door and waiting for the episode to pass. She said this situation continued for nearly four years.

Shaikh also recalled her earliest seizure, which occurred during a dance class when she suddenly collapsed and later regained consciousness in a hospital. At the time, doctors initially misinterpreted the episode before epilepsy was eventually diagnosed.

On the professional front, Fatima Sana Shaikh was last seen in the film Gustaakh Ishq, where she starred alongside Vijay Varma.