Fatima Sana Shaikh recalls a harrowing experience of being assaulted and harassed: ‘I hit him because he touched me'
She is often seen putting up her views about her experiences or opinions quite honestly.
In a recent chat, she has opened up about two deeply disturbing experiences that shed light on the persistent reality of gender-based harassment. In a candid conversation with Hauterrfly, she shared how a violent assault changed the way she responds to inappropriate behavior in public—and why the emotional toll of such moments lingers long after.
Recalling one particularly traumatic incident, Fatima described how she once confronted a man who touched her inappropriately. 'Once, a man had touched me inappropriately, and I hit him. But he hit me back so hard, that I was fully down," she recounted. 'I only hit him because he touched me, but that pissed him off and he hit me to the point that I fell."
The shocking violence left a lasting impact on her. 'After that incident, I got a little more cautious.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia
IC Markets
Tìm hiểu thêm
Undo
I realised that we also have to check how to react in such situations," she said, adding poignantly, 'But look at the irony… something wrong is happening with us, and we only have to think how to react to it."
Fatima also shared another unsettling encounter, this time during the COVID-19 lockdown in Mumbai. While cycling through the city wearing a mask, she was followed and harassed by a tempo driver. 'During the COVID-19 lockdown, I was riding my bicycle in Mumbai wearing a mask, and there was this tempo driver who kept honking and making weird sounds at me.
And till the time I didn't take a turn in my lane, he kept following me," she said.
Commenting on the pervasive nature of such behavior, she didn't hold back: 'You only have to be a girl for it."
On work front, her latest release, Aap Jaisa Koi, debuted on Netflix this Friday. Co-starring R. Madhavan, the film explores a mature love story centered around a woman who asserts her voice within a conservative family while fighting for her relationship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scroll.in
11 minutes ago
- Scroll.in
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Lagos homecoming wasn't just a book launch. It was a cultural moment
When the announcement of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's latest novel Dream Count was made, it was regarded as a major event in African literature. The internationally celebrated Nigerian writer had not published a novel in the past 12 years, and her long-awaited return stirred both anticipation and speculation. In the post-COVID context in which the book comes, so much has changed in the world. The first leg of her three city homecoming book tour coincided with my stay in Lagos as a curatorial fellow at Guest Artist Space Foundation, dedicated to facilitating cultural exchange and supporting creative practices. After Lagos, Chimamanda took the tour to Nigeria's capital city Abuja and finally Enugu, where she was born and grew up. As a scholar of African literature, I arrived here in search of literary Lagos. But my attachment to the city may also just be romantic, a nostalgia born out of years of reading about it in fiction. No doubt, Lagos is a city of imagination and creativity. Chimamanda's book event was a reminder that literary celebrity, when it happens in Africa, can exist on its own terms. It's rooted in a popular imaginary that embraces both the writer and the spectacle. Lagos superstar The launch in Lagos took place at a conference centre on a June evening. The MUSON is a multipurpose civic auditorium located in the centre of Lagos Island which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. And on this night, the auditorium was packed. When I arrive, the scene outside is buzzing. A crowd gathers in front of a large canvas banner bearing a radiant image of the author. It's more than just decoration; it's a backdrop. It is an occasion for the selfie, a digital marker that you were there. There is even a hashtag for this: #dreamcountlagos. People take turns posing in front of it, curating their presence in the frame of Chimamanda's aura. The atmosphere is festive, electric. And yet beneath the surface shimmer is something more urgent: a hunger for story, for presence, for return. Perhaps that explains why people come not just to witness, but to be counted. Inside the lobby, piles of Chimamanda's books are neatly arranged on long tables. People are not just buying a copy. They are buying several in the hope that the author will autograph them. The sight is striking, almost surreal. In many parts of the continent, a book launch is often a quiet affair. Writers are lucky to sell a handful of copies. But this is something else entirely. This is not just a book launch, it is a cultural moment. It would have been easy to mistake the event for a political town hall. There was a VIP section reserved for the who's who of Lagos, but those class distinctions easily dissolved into the collective energy of the room. The auditorium was filled with genuine enthusiasm. Even after a delay of more than an hour, when Chimamanda finally walked in, she was met with rapturous applause. She wore a bright yellow dress, an Instagrammable outfit, suited for the many fans who rushed forward to take selfies with her. Chimamanda, no doubt, is as much a fashion icon as she is a literary figure. On stage, she was joined by media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, widely known as the host of the reality TV show Big Brother Africa. But here, he was also something more intimate: the author's friend. Chimamanda even credited him with being a 'great reader'. This is a rare compliment in a literary world that often separates celebrity from critical engagement. Their conversation was relaxed and full of laughter, offering the audience both intimacy and insight. Chimamanda addressed the question that had lingered for years: her decade-long silence. She spoke candidly of writer's block, of the grief that came with losing both her parents in quick succession, and how that loss eventually reignited her desire to write. Dream Count, she explained, is shaped by that rupture. It is one of the major post-COVID novels from Africa, and centres on the lives of four women. It is a book about love, friendship and independence. Africans do read When she spoke about her characters on stage, it was as though she was talking about relatives that the audience recognised. They responded by shouting out the characters' names, to the delight of the author. When I asked people about the launch afterwards, many said that it was a very Nigerian event – big, colourful, exuberant, festive. It was indeed a celebration that felt communal, even joyous. It was also a public demonstration of how literature can still command space and attention, not just in private reading rooms or crammed bookstores, but on a civic scale. This was a remarkable event because it defied the tired cliché that Africans do not read. People, mostly young, came out in their hundreds. They bought books, they took selfies with their 'favourite' author, they screamed the names of fictional characters as though greeting friends. But more significant was Chimamanda's choice to work with a local publisher, Narrative Landscape Press, which produced the Nigerian edition of Dream Count that is now available and accessible locally, at the same time as its release in Europe and North America. That alone is a radical act. In returning to Nigeria to launch her book, Chimamanda also disrupts the assumption that African literary prestige must only be validated abroad. Even though she belongs to a cohort of African writers shaped by the diaspora, she actively insists on presence – on homecoming – not as simply nostalgia, but as active engagement. Of course, Chimamanda is an exception. Her stature as a global literary figure, combined with her deep connection to home, allows her to move between worlds with remarkable ease. Few writers command the kind of multigenerational, cross-class attention she does. I found myself wishing though that more book launches could carry this same sense of occasion, of meaning, of return. That they could gather people in such numbers, not just to celebrate the writer, but to affirm the African book as something still worth gathering for. And perhaps that is what made this book launch unforgettable: not just the celebrity or the spectacle, but the sense that literature still matters here, and that it belongs to the people.
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Wordle today #1506: Get hints and answers to today's puzzle August 3, 2025
Wordle answer August 3, 2025 hints and answers Wordle is a popular word puzzle game that challenges players to guess a five-letter word within six attempts. Developed by Josh Wardle, this simple yet addictive game has taken the world by storm with its easy-to-understand rules and daily challenges. Each guess provides feedback with colored tiles: green indicates the correct letter in the correct spot, yellow signals the correct letter in the wrong spot, and gray means the letter isn't in the word. Wordle's mix of logic and vocabulary makes it a daily brain teaser loved by millions worldwide. The game's minimalist design and once-a-day format have contributed to its viral success. It also fosters friendly competition, as players often share their results on social media without giving away the answer. The Wordle puzzle can be tricky to solve, which is likely why you've found yourself here, struggling to crack today's challenge. As always, today's NYT Wordle was full of surprises, but don't worry—we're here to help. Below, you'll find some helpful clues for today's Wordle answer, and if those don't do the trick, keep reading to discover the solution directly. Sometimes the word includes uncommon letters or double letters that throw players off. Wordle hints and answers today Today's Wordle promises a puzzle that tests your linguistic skills, likely to be decoded by many participants. To assist you in solving the puzzle, we've curated a fresh array of hints and clues for today's Wordle challenge. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mickey Rourke's Recent Transformation Leaves Us With No Words. 33 Bridges Undo by Taboola by Taboola Wordle hints and clues for August 3 The word starts with letter 'L'. The word consists one vowel. The word ends with letter 'Y'. The word has no repeating letter. Today's Wordle word means full of or covered with lumps. Wordle, August 3, 2025: Word of the day Whether you have cracked the code or are still working with the hints, it is now time to reveal the answer. Today's Wordle word is 'LUMPY'. How did Wordle originate Wordle was initially developed by engineer Josh Wardle as a thoughtful gift for his partner. However, it quickly gained massive popularity, turning into a global sensation with thousands of players engaging daily. The game's success inspired fans to create various spin-offs, such as the battle royale-style Squabble, the music identification game Heardle, and multi-word challenges like Dordle and Quordle. Its simplicity, paired with daily novelty, made it a part of many people's morning routine. The viral appeal also sparked academic interest in its psychological and linguistic impact. As its popularity soared, The New York Times acquired Wordle, and it became a hit on social media platforms like TikTok, where creators even livestream their gameplay sessions. Where can you play Wordle Wordle isn't available as an app; it can only be played through a web browser. To play, simply visit the New York Times Games website. Originally hosted on its own site and created by Josh Wardle, Wordle was acquired by the New York Times in February of this year. One of the great aspects of Wordle is that it's ad-free, allowing you to fully concentrate on the word-guessing game. How to play Wordle To play Wordle, visit the link and begin guessing words. Wordle FAQs Can I play past Wordle puzzles? No, Wordle is designed as a daily game with a unique puzzle each day. While you can't play past puzzles on the official site, there are unofficial Wordle archives available where you can play previous games. How do the color-coded tiles work in Wordle? Green means the letter is correct and in the correct position. Yellow means the letter is correct but in the wrong position. Gray means the letter is not in the word at all. How many guesses do I get in Wordle? You have six chances to guess the correct five-letter word. After each guess, you receive feedback to help guide your next attempt. Can I play Wordle more than once per day? Wordle is designed as a daily puzzle, so you can only play one puzzle per day. The word of the day is the same for everyone globally, and once you complete it, you'll have to wait until the next day for a new puzzle. Can letters repeat in Wordle? Yes, repeated letters can appear in Wordle answers. Words containing duplicate letters can present more of a challenge when solving. Is Wordle available in other languages? Yes, there are multiple versions of Wordle available in various languages, including Spanish, French, and German. You can switch to a different language by finding the corresponding version of the game online. Also Read | Blue Lock Rivals codes (July 2025) | Roblox Tennis Zero codes July 2025 AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Exclusive - Dipshikkha Nagppal on Friendship's Day: You can make real friends in the Industry
As Friendship Day, celebrated on August 3, draws near, actor Dipshikkha Nagppal—known for films like Baadshah, Koyla, Dillagi, and Partner, and TV shows such as Son Pari, Kittie Party, Baal Veer, Santoshi Maa, Megha Barsenge, and Ishq Jabariya—says friendship isn't just a relationship, it's a way of life. 'I believe in friendship because I think I'm a very good friend to my friends,' she says. 'Earlier, when one person was the giver and the other just the receiver, the equation would become one-sided. But when both people are givers and they appreciate each other, the friendship lasts much longer. I may not have too many friends, but the ones I do have are very dear to me,' she adds. While it's often said that true friendships are rare in showbiz, Dipshikkha thinks otherwise. 'People often say you can't make real friends in the industry, but I believe it depends on the individual,' she explains. 'I've done so many shows and met amazing people. Yes, I've made friends—one or two from the industry—and they're totally my tribe, my vibe. I used to think that at this age I wouldn't be able to make new friends, but it turned out to be the opposite,' she says. Sharing a personal experience from her show, Dipshikkha added, 'I recently met a wonderful friend, Prem Soni. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Coincidentally, in my TV serial Na Umra Ki Seema Ho, we even have a travel vlog together. We've known each other for 9–10 years now, and we're still connected.' She further says that when two women are secure, not jealous, and genuinely appreciate each other's work, they can be friends for life. When it comes to spending time with her friends, she prefers meaningful moments over grand celebrations. 'Recently, I met my kitty friends—Tannaz, Munisha, and Kashmera. We're really close and share a strong vibe—alpha women who love and respect each other. With friends like that, I don't need a big celebration. It's about real connection, shared energy, and bonding in meaningful ways.' Besides her industry friends, Dipshikkha shares that her children are also her closest companions. 'My kids Vidhika and Vivaan are my best friends. I don't know what I would do without them, and I am their best friend too. We talk about every little thing,' she smiles. In fact, she's still in touch with her school friends. 'Friendships from back then were simpler and purer—no expectations, no complications. Life has changed, but that warmth remains,' she reflects. For Dipshikkha, friendship has never been about numbers—it's about intention, loyalty, and shared energy. 'My friends are for life—from childhood companions to those I've met along the way,' she concludes. Deepshikha Nagpal talks about domestic violence
