IFP Season 15: Fatima Sana Shaikh on Working With Naseeruddin Shah in ‘Gustaakh Ishq’: 'I Was Very Worried He’d Judge Me'

Mumbai — Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, speaking at IFP Season 15 in Mumbai, opened up about her experience working with legendary actor Naseeruddin Shah in her latest release, Gustaakh Ishq.

During a session titled Bringing Back Old-School Romance, Fatima and her co-star Vijay Varma spoke candidly about love, imperfections, and the emotional dynamics that shape relationships.

Calling Naseeruddin Shah “inherently a teacher,” Fatima recalled a moment on set that captured both her nervousness and his gentle mentorship.
“I was actually very worried he would judge me,” she said. “There was a scene where I had to cry, and he did something very small but powerful — he placed my hand on his pulse so I could feel his heartbeat. It was his way of telling me to stay present. What empowered me was him saying, ‘It’s okay. Feel it. You don’t have to hit those beats perfectly.’”

Vijay Varma also shared how Naseeruddin Shah’s presence influenced the atmosphere on set. “Have you heard him? It sounds like God speaking directly to you. That baritone… it’s like the voice of the universe,” he said.
Comparing him to Hollywood’s Morgan Freeman, Vijay added that Naseeruddin Shah’s command over multiple languages and dialects makes him “an institution” in himself.

Reflecting on working alongside such a towering performer, Vijay said, “Just being around him, watching him work, is an experience. I’ve had two profound moments — one with Mr. Bachchan during Pink, and one with Naseer Sir.”

The actors also touched on modern-day romance. Fatima admitted she finds video calls “cute,” especially in long-distance relationships, saying she loves early-morning voice notes and virtual moments of connection.

When asked whether his character in Gustaakh Ishq understands love better than he does, Vijay laughed, saying, “My character has visibly failed at love in the film. So no — I know more about love than he does.”

Gustaakh Ishq, starring Fatima Sana Shaikh, Vijay Varma, and Naseeruddin Shah, marks fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s debut as a film producer. The film, released on November 28, has been receiving strong praise from both audiences and critics.

With inputs from IANS