‘Listening Is Acting’: Fatima Sana Shaikh on Her Most Intimate Performance Yet
‘Listening Is Acting’: Fatima Sana Shaikh on Her Most Intimate Performance Yet
Arijit Bose
Mumbai: Gustaakh Ishq is not just a film—it’s an emotion that unfolds slowly and stays long after the final verse. Through Fatima Sana Shaikh’s delicate performance, it reminds us that sometimes, the bravest love stories are the quietest ones. In a fast-scrolling world, Gustaakh Ishq chooses to pause. The 2025 romantic drama, directed by Vibhu Puri and produced by Manish Malhotra, takes audiences back to a gentler 1990s—where love unfolded through poetry, glances, and long conversations over tea. At the centre of this lyrical universe is Fatima Sana Shaikh, who delivers one of her most nuanced performances yet. In this candid conversation, she reflects on emotional legacy, creative vulnerability, and rediscovering the courage to love slowly.
Your character is the daughter of a revered Urdu poet. How did you shape her inner world?
“I Played Her Like Someone Who Listened More Than She Spoke”
Growing up in the shadow of brilliance leaves you with inherited sensitivity. I imagined her as someone who absorbs emotions deeply but expresses them sparingly. I observed people from artistic families where silence carries as much meaning as words. Understanding Urdu poetry helped too—not just the language, but the ache and restraint within it. That gave her emotional depth and quiet defiance.
You’ve spoken about feeling nervous performing opposite Naseeruddin Shah. What stayed with you the most?
“Naseer Saab Taught Me the Power of Surrender”
There was a scene where he asked me to sync my emotions with his heartbeat. It changed my understanding of acting. He taught me that honesty matters more than technique. That moment wasn’t about performance—it was about trust. He made vulnerability feel safe, and that lesson will stay with me forever.
The romance with Vijay Varma is beautifully understated. How did you build that chemistry?
“We Wanted Stillness in a World of Rush”
Both of us were drawn to the idea of slow cinema. Gustaakh Ishq needed patience—an understanding of pauses and unsaid emotions. That shared intent helped our bond feel organic. Vibhu Puri and Manish Malhotra pushed us to trust silence, and that’s where the chemistry truly lived.
Is there a shayari from the film that’s closest to your heart?
“The Poetry Works as a Collective Emotion”
Every verse carries a different shade of love—longing, hope, heartbreak. I don’t think one line stands alone. Together, the poetry becomes the soul of the film, much like love itself—layered, imperfect, and deeply human.
Did the 1990s setting change how you experienced the romance?
Absolutely. Without phones, you’re forced to be present. That presence makes emotions raw and truthful. It felt grounding, almost therapeutic, and that honesty translated naturally into the scenes.
How did the music influence your performance?
“Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar Saab Created the Film’s Pulse”
The soundtrack is the heartbeat of Gustaakh Ishq. Gulzar saab’s lyrics and Vishal Bhardwaj’s compositions linger long after the scene ends. That emotional residue guided my performance—it allowed me to express what words sometimes couldn’t.
What did Manish Malhotra bring as a producer?
“Costumes Were About Emotion, Not Glamour”
Manish approached the film with deep sensitivity. Every costume reflected my character’s emotional state, not her appearance. That freedom helped me inhabit the world more honestly.
Does the film make you rethink modern dating?
“Love Hasn’t Changed, Only Its Tools Have”
Times change, but love doesn’t. Earlier it was letters; now it’s messages and reels. Yet the essence remains the same. That old spark still exists—it just finds new forms.
How has Gustaakh Ishq shaped you as an actor?
“This Film Helped Me Discover My Softness”
After Dangal, people saw strength in me. This film let me explore tenderness and femininity. It revealed parts of me I hadn’t accessed before—and I know there’s still more to discover.
Your message to audiences embracing ‘gustaakh ishq’?
“Give Love Time to Breathe”
Be patient with love. Let it grow, stumble, and heal you. No matter the era, love remains the most courageous act we choose.
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