Fatima Sana Shaikh Opens Up About Bulimia, Binge-Eating: “I Was Bulimic for a Year”
Mumbai/Dubai, February 11, 2026: Bollywood actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has bravely opened up about her year-long struggle with bulimia, shedding light on the immense pressure to maintain a certain image in the film industry. In a candid and emotional conversation on actress Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, Chapter 2 with Rhea Chakraborty, the Dangal star detailed her toxic relationship with food and her journey toward recovery.
The Struggle Within
“I was bulimic for a year. Because I had absolutely no control and my understanding of diet was rigid,” Shaikh revealed. Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge-eating followed by purging.
The actress offered a profound insight into the psychological root of her disorder, stating, “If you understand yourself, the problem is not in the food. It is in you because you’re feeling insecure... You’re eating your feelings because you don’t want to feel anything. You want to feel numb.”
The Downward Spiral After ‘Dangal’
Shaikh traced the beginning of her struggle to the period following the shooting of the 2016 blockbuster Dangal. To play a wrestler, she consumed 2,500-3,000 calories daily and followed an intense workout regimen to gain weight. However, when the shoot ended, she continued the same eating habits without the exercise.
This led to a downward spiral where food became her “comfort zone.” She described her personality as prone to extremes: “If I’m not holistic, I go towards extremes.”
The Road to Recovery
The actress credited her support system for helping her recognize the problem. She shared that her Dangal co-star Sanya Malhotra confronted her with care, saying, “I know what you’re doing.” This moment was a wake-up call. Additionally, screenwriter Rahul Mody introduced her to a holistic, balanced diet, emphasizing that feeling full is okay, but that her previous habits were “no way to live.”
A Message of Hope
Shaikh’s decision to speak publicly was driven by a desire to help others. “I wanted to talk about this because there are a lot of girls... who suffer from this and because of the perfection (demanded) on Instagram and social media, and it’s okay if you have had any eating disorder,” she said. Today, the actress maintains a healthy fitness regimen and diet, using her story to offer reassurance and break the stigma surrounding mental and physical health.