Fatima Sana Shaikh’s Real Talk on Toxic Relationships and Patriarchy
You don’t often hear Bollywood stars get brutally honest about what goes on behind closed doors, but Fatima Sana Shaikh isn’t dancing around tough topics. Recently, she’s been making headlines, not for her latest roles in Metro... In Dino or Aap Jaisa Koi, but for opening up about her struggles with toxic relationships and the lasting grip of patriarchy on personal lives. She’s shining a light on issues that most would rather keep in the shadows.
Shaikh admits she’s personally faced toxic dynamics in her own relationships. What stands out is her honesty about how difficult it can be to leave such situations, especially when you’re relying on your partner for money. “I’ve also been in toxic relationships. It’s very difficult to leave, especially when financially dependent on a partner,” she shared. This is an ugly truth for countless women who feel financially stuck in harmful partnerships.
But it’s not just women who suffer. Fatima points out that men get trapped, too. According to her, “So many men are in toxic relationships. But when they try to speak up, they’re ridiculed, which isn’t fair.” There’s this double standard—while women are expected to ‘tough it out’ or take the blame, men aren’t allowed to talk at all. If a man says he’s unhappy, he’s likely to be laughed off or called weak. No one wins in this setup.
Her comments cut right to the heart of how Indian society is wrestling with old-school expectations. Patriarchy has been the rulebook for generations, telling women to be meek and men to be tough. Shaikh doesn’t just talk about this; she brings it alive in her films with characters who fight for equal ground in their relationships. She highlights that respect and equality aren’t just buzzwords—they’re supposed to be the baseline.
Money Matters — For Both Sides
Where things are changing, and quickly, is with money. Fatima says that as more women are able to earn their own living, they have options their mothers and grandmothers never did. “Women today are more confident to walk away due to better financial stability,” she says. In the past, many would put up with abuse or disrespect because there was nowhere else to turn. Today, jobs and education are literally life-changing. Women with their own bank accounts aren’t just contributing to the household—they’re gaining the confidence to walk away if things go south.
This rise in economic autonomy isn’t only letting women leave toxic marriages. It’s changing how both partners think about each other. No longer is a woman’s role only to please or follow. Fatima’s take is clear—she wants relationships to be about shared respect, not control. “Men often expect women to change who they are, but a healthy relationship should celebrate mutual respect without compromising individuality.”
The buzz around Fatima Sana Shaikh’s interviews is a sign that India is slowly but surely rethinking what relationships should look like. With famous faces like hers talking openly about once-taboo topics, maybe others will find the courage to speak up—and, more importantly, to choose better for themselves.
