Fatima Sana Shaikh is celebrating the success of "Sam Bahadur" at the 71st National Film Awards, expressing immense pride and gratitude for being part of the film. The movie, directed by Meghna Gulzar, won three awards, including Best Feature Film on National, Social and Environmental Values, along with Best Make-up for Shrikant Desai, Best Costume Design for Sachin Lovalekar, Divvya Gambhir, and Nidhhi Gambhir.

Shaikh played the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film, a portrayal that has been widely applauded. However, she initially hesitated to take on the role, doubting whether she was the right fit for such a significant and challenging character. It was Gulzar's conviction in her that ultimately persuaded Shaikh to accept the part. Shaikh said Gulzar told her to trust her, and that if a director like Gulzar was saying that, "then something must be right, and maybe I'm not seeing what she is seeing".

To prepare for the role, Shaikh immersed herself in the history of Indira Gandhi, watching old footage and reading books. However, she emphasized that she heavily relied on Gulzar's guidance. Gulzar provided specific instructions on how she envisioned the portrayal of the former Prime Minister, curating essential elements for Shaikh to incorporate into her performance. Shaikh also said that Gulzar knew what she wanted, whether it was the graph of the performance or look, and that Gulzar made the journey easy for her.

Shaikh has described herself as a "director's actor," emphasizing the importance of trusting the director's vision. She focused on capturing the soul of Indira Gandhi rather than simply emulating her. She also praised Gulzar's meticulous approach and extensive knowledge of the era, wars, uniforms, and textiles.

One significant challenge Shaikh faced during filming was the extensive makeup required to transform her into Indira Gandhi. The process took three hours each day, requiring immense patience to sit still while the makeup was applied.

"Sam Bahadur" is a biographical war drama based on the life of India's first field marshal, Sam Manekshaw. Vicky Kaushal played the titular role, with Sanya Malhotra portraying Manekshaw's wife, Silloo. The film depicts Manekshaw's life and his role in shaping India's military history.

While "Sam Bahadur" received mixed reviews from critics, it has been appreciated for bringing to life the story of a real hero and for the attention to detail in the film's look and feel. Vicky Kaushal celebrated the film's success at the National Film Awards, expressing his pride for the team.

The 71st National Film Awards saw Hindi cinema dominate, with "Sam Bahadur" and other films like "12th Fail," "Jawan," and "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway" winning major awards. Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey shared the Best Actor award, while Rani Mukerji won Best Actress.

Beyond "Sam Bahadur," Fatima Sana Shaikh has been involved in other projects that explore themes of love, equality, and women's safety.