Fatima had refused to play Indira Gandhi in Sam Bahadur

Meghna Gulzar's ambitious project, 'Sam Bahadur,' starring Vicky Kaushal as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, earned widespread praise. Fatima Sana Shaikh initially hesitated to play Indira Gandhi but was convinced by Meghna Gulzar. Fatima praised Meghna's knowledge of the era and her meticulous approach. She was challenged by the time-consuming makeup process.