Fatima Sana Shaikh: Was told I wasn't good enough

She made a stunning debut with Dangal but Fatima Sana Shaikh says getting a perfect launch pad was not a cakewalk as people told her she did not have the looks of a heroine like Deepika Padukone and Katrina KaifFatima who started her journey in the movies as a child actor with Kamal Haasans 1997 film Chachi 420 says the rejections shifted her focus from waiting for a conventional lead role to searching for a good characterI have been a child actor I quit but making a comeback after that was difficult I was not getting any work People used to tell me I dont look like Deepika Padukone or Katrina Kaif They said since I didnt have the looks of a heroine I should do whatever Im offered There have been many incidents where I was told that I was not good enough Fatima told PTI in an interviewThe actor says her desire to perform in front of the camera was so strong that she did not pay heed to what people thought of herI only had acting on my mind The reason why I used to go for every audition was because I would get to perform in front of the camera even if the setup was smallThe success of Aamir KhanstarrerDangal however made things easier for Fatima as it gave her the option to chooseBefore Dangal I never had the chance to choose my projects I even did Dangal because that was my only option at that time Every actor goes through this Thats how things function But I am happy that post the film and especially after Thugs of Hindostan I have the space to choose she saysCiting an example of Rajkummar Rao her costar from Anurag Basus upcoming anthology the actor says there is no formula for successThere is no single rule that applies to everyone But now there are so many opportunities because of Netflix Amazon and other platforms Influx of different mediums has given actors a lot more optionsFatima says even though her aim is to establish herself as a soughtafter performer she does not believe in planning too muchWhere I want to reach it might take two or maybe six years But I am happy that at least Im on my way Before Thugs I was a very competitive person I would keep a check on who is wearing what and what they were doing But I realised everybody has a different fate and there is no point in following anyones journey she addsThe actor says like every artiste in the showbiz she craves for the love of the audience but believes it is close to impossible to be a superstar in the current timesThe superstar era ended way back After the Khans I dont think we will ever have superstars Now we all are accessible but earlier the stars were not We could not search them on social media or follow their lives We were able to connect with them through their films and interviews she saysFatima adds the only way the actors of her generation could survive is by doing good workThe moment we do good work we get appreciation and when we dont things go the other way Actors like Deepika have been in the industry for so long but it is now that people have realised she is a very good actor because of her choicesCatch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates