R Madhavan's co-star Fatima Sana Shaikh opens up on life-threatening seizure on US flight. Actress had to be hospitalised

Known for her powerful roles on-screen, Fatima Sana Shaikh has often played characters who display grit and strength. But in real life, the actress has been quietly fighting a battle that few knew about—epilepsy. As she gears up for her upcoming releases, Metro In Dino opposite Ali Fazal and Aap Jaisa Koi with R. Madhavan, Fatima is finally shedding light on the health challenge that nearly turned her life upside down. In a deeply personal conversation with Humans of Bombay, the actress opened up about one of the most terrifying moments of her life—a major seizure attack mid-air on a flight to the U.S.

Fatima revealed that while travelling to the USA via Dubai, she experienced multiple seizures on the plane. She was rushed to the airport hospital immediately upon landing, but the situation kept worsening. Despite being given medication, her seizures wouldn’t stop. Doctors were forced to administer a heavy dose of another drug, but instead of offering relief, it triggered further complications. Fatima explained that in epilepsy treatment, medication changes need to be done gradually. “You have to wean off one before starting another,” she said, pointing out how the sudden switch had a devastating effect on her body and mind.

The aftermath was brutal. Fatima was left sedated, unable to function, and emotionally drained. The episode derailed not just her health but also her professional life. She had to walk away from two major film projects—Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur and Dhak Dhak. “I had to cancel shoot,” she recalled. When a producer called to check on her availability, she broke down in tears, struggling to even get out of bed.

The experience became a major turning point in Fatima’s life. She came to terms with her diagnosis and began speaking about it more openly, hoping to break the stigma around neurological disorders like epilepsy. She credits support groups and open conversations for helping her find stability.

Fatima Sana Shaikh’s upcoming movie
Netflix has unveiled the trailer for Aap Jaisa Koi, a heartfelt family drama starring R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The film follows 42-year-old Shrirenu Tripathi, a reserved man from Jamshedpur, whose life takes a turn when he meets Madhu Bose, a bold and spirited woman from Kolkata. As their bond deepens, Shrirenu begins to question traditional notions of masculinity, companionship, and emotional vulnerability. Directed by Vivek Soni (Meenakshi Sundareshwar) and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, the film also stars Ayesha Raza, Manish Chaudhari, and Namit Das.

Fatima Sana Shaikh also stars in Metro... In Dino, Anurag Basu’s spiritual sequel to Life in a... Metro. The musical romantic drama weaves together multiple stories of modern-day couples across four Indian cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore. The ensemble cast includes Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, and Ali Fazal.