Delhi, New Delhi:Bollywood celebrates change. Seldom are the consequences. Speaking candidly on the 'Chapter 2 with Rhea Chakraborty' podcast, Fatima Sana Shaikh discussed her physical transformation for 'Dangal' and how discipline subtly devolved into chaos.
Weight fluctuation wasn't the only thing that followed. Bulimia, starvation cycles, binge eating, and a protracted process of reestablishing a positive relationship with food were all part of it.
The field that gave definition to "Dangal"
Fatima trained diligently for "Dangal," frequently for three hours every day, in addition to other exercises. She ate between 2,500 and 3,000 calories a day to put on weight for the role. She described her structured, athlete-like mindset during the movie by saying, "When I am goal-oriented, I will do everything." However, the structure vanished after the shoot was finished. The hunger didn't. Her eating habits persisted even though she was no longer training as hard. The balance tilted slowly.
"I have two extremes."
What started out as a shift in routine evolved into something more profound. Comfort came from food. Control started to falter. She acknowledged, "I could eat for two hours straight." "I have two extremes. I tend to go to extremes if I'm not holistic. The pattern—binge, guilt, restriction—became all too familiar. She would become fixated on calorie counts, figuring out how many hours she had left in the day and how to "undo" her meals. Hunger wasn't the cause. It was feeling. "The food isn't the issue," she thought. You have it because you're insecure. You're consuming your emotions.
The year she silently fought bulimia
Fatima disclosed that she had been bulimic for a year in one of the most exposed parts of the discussion. In order to avoid "taking the calories," she would induce vomiting after episodes of overeating. Fueled by self-criticism and shame, it turned into a clandestine ritual. She remarked, "I felt like I had no control at all." "I had such a strict understanding of diet." Although there was actual physical harm—such as acid reflux and internal strain—the psychological cost was greater. She seemed disciplined, fit, and even enviably strong from the outside. She felt weak on the inside. "Everything appears to be fine on the outside when someone has a mental health illness. But the mind is where all the demons reside. It serves as a stark reminder that stereotypes about eating disorders are not always accurate. They can conceal themselves with toned arms and exercise selfies.
Instagram perfection and the image trap
Fatima talked about being addicted to a particular image she felt she had to uphold and having a "love-hate relationship" with herself. That pressure increases in a field where people's bodies are examined closely and social media filters minimize any perceived imperfections. Being fit is not enough; it must be perfectly fit. She acknowledges that she still thinks about food all the time. What's different now? consciousness. "I occasionally go on eating binges. However, I made the decision. "I'm not punishing myself in the same manner," Fatima declared. It has been a life-changing transition from compulsion to consciousness.
One smoothie at a time, restoring equilibrium
It wasn't a dramatic intervention that marked her turning point. It came from friends who held up a mirror gently. Her behavior was confronted by a close friend without any accusations. Another introduced her to guilt-free nourishment, balanced meals, smoothies, and a more holistic approach to eating. "You are free to eat. She was reminded, "You can be full." It sounds easy. It's revolutionary for someone stuck in the extremes. She still exercises and places a high value on fitness today, but the objective is no longer punishment or appearance. It's sustainability.
The significance of Fatima's story
Her experience highlights an unsettling reality: even if you are among the "fittest" people in the room, you may still be having difficulties. Fitness is apparent. It's not healing. And maybe that's the true lesson to be learned from her story. Strength is more than just being able to lift bigger objects or change for a movie. It involves facing rigidity, shame, and extending grace to oneself. Even though Fatima trained like a wrestler for Dangal, her most difficult battle was much more intimate and quiet.
Our culture associates excess with failure and thinness with discipline. From extreme points of understanding, Fatima's story is refreshingly honest. It conveys the idea that balance and understanding, rather than perfection, are the keys to good health. It is possible to train the body. It is necessary to heal the mind.
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