Fatima Sana Shaikh on Feminism: ‘I’m Not Snatching Away a Man’s Rights’

Fatima Sana Shaikh says women artistes should not hesitate to call themselves feminists, arguing that feminism is fundamentally about equal rights. The actor also spoke about the importance of giving women a voice behind the scenes while working on strong female characters.

Fatima Sana Shaikh has spoken about feminism, women’s voices in the entertainment industry and her experience playing a police officer in Hunkkaar: The Roar.

The actor plays ACP Jasleen Singh Soin in the JioHotstar series, which centres on a minor, played by Aneet Padda, who accuses a spiritual leader of sexual assault. Created by Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia, the series explores the investigation surrounding the serious allegation.

Although Fatima’s role was relatively small on paper, she said the opportunity to develop the character and collaborate creatively with the makers convinced her to take it on.

Fatima Sana Shaikh on Playing Her First Cop

For Fatima, Hunkkaar: The Roar marks her first role as a police officer.

Speaking to Mid-Day, she explained that the profession itself was not what attracted her most. Instead, she was interested in the character’s motivation and the possibility of expanding Jasleen’s journey beyond what was initially written.

“This is my first cop role. What profession you play is not important, your character’s motive is.”

Fatima said she recognised an opportunity to have conversations with the creators and add more dimensions to Jasleen’s character.

That creative collaboration became an important reason for her to join the project.

‘They Don’t Want to Hear Your Voice’

The experience also prompted Fatima to discuss a broader issue she has encountered as a woman working in the entertainment industry.

She said she valued being treated as an equal by the makers of Hunkkaar: The Roar, particularly because she believes women artistes are not always given the same space to express their opinions.

According to Fatima, there can be a contradiction between the kind of women characters the industry wants actors to portray and the amount of agency those same women are given professionally.

“They want you to play a character who has a voice, but they don’t want you to voice your opinion.”

Her comments point to a distinction between representing a strong woman on screen and giving women professionals a meaningful voice in the creative process.

Fatima Says Women Should Not Be Afraid of Feminism

Fatima also addressed the hesitation some women artistes have about identifying themselves as feminists.

For the actor, feminism does not mean taking rights away from men. She views it as a demand for equal rights and opportunities.

“By being a feminist, I’m not snatching away a man’s rights; I’m just asking for equal rights for myself.”

Fatima said she finds it surprising when actresses distance themselves from the term feminism, particularly when their work may involve portraying women with agency and independence.

Her comments reflect a broader debate in the entertainment industry over how feminism is understood and discussed by women working within it.

Why Fatima Sana Shaikh Mentioned Priyanka Chopra

Fatima cited Priyanka Chopra as an example of a female actor who has openly identified as a feminist while maintaining a large audience.

She argued that being vocal about gender equality does not necessarily prevent an actor from connecting with male viewers.

“Priyanka Chopra calls herself a feminist and has a huge male fan base.”

Fatima added that the way a person communicates their views matters, suggesting that clarity of intention can influence how those views are received.

What Is Hunkkaar: The Roar About?

Hunkkaar: The Roar is a JioHotstar series created by Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia. The story follows the aftermath of a serious allegation made by a minor against a spiritual leader.

Aneet Padda plays the minor at the centre of the story, while Fatima Sana Shaikh appears as ACP Jasleen Singh Soin, the police officer involved in investigating the allegation.

For Fatima, the project offered more than an opportunity to play a police officer. It also gave her a chance to work closely with the creators and participate in developing a character she felt had room to grow.

Her comments about the series ultimately connect to a larger point she made about women in cinema: strong female representation on screen, in her view, should also be accompanied by space for women artistes to express their perspectives off screen.