‘One of the biggest challenges of riding is people’s perception’: Fatima Sana Shaikh

For Fatima Sana Shaikh, biking is more than a thrill, it is a meditative experience that offers a sense of freedom and perspective. The actress, whose film Dhak Dhak took her through the challenging terrains of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, recently bought a new bike that she got customised. The actress says riding has taught her as much about endurance as it has about the joy of the open road.In an exclusive interview with us, she also calls out the gender stereotypes and harassment women riders continue to face, arguing that riding a motorcycle should not be seen as extraordinary simply because the rider is a woman.What sparked your love for biking, and what does being on a bike give you that you don’t experience in any other aspect of your life? Is it the sense of freedom, the thrill of the open road or the feeling of being completely in the moment?I don’t remember the exact moment I fell in love with biking. But as a child, my father would take me along for a short ride on his bike every evening. So, for me, bikes have always been associated with happiness and excitement. In fact, my father was also the first person who taught me how to ride. Riding is such a beautiful feeling. It’s very liberating. I don’t know how to explain it exactly, but there’s something incredible about being able to control a machine that almost becomes an extension of your body. Even the slightest shift in your body weight can change the direction of the bike. I find that fascinating. And especially when you’re riding in the mountains, it’s such a humbling experience. You realise how small and insignificant you are in the larger scheme of things. You feel the temperature dropping, the wind, the changing landscape. You’re experiencing everything around you rather than just watching it go by. I find riding very meditative.What has been the most memorable or rewarding part of your biking journey so far? Is there a particular ride, destination or experience that made you fall in love with biking all over again?I think it was when I was shooting for Dhak Dhak. I got to ride in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, and honestly, I don’t think I would have ever dared to ride in the mountains otherwise. But shooting for that film and riding through those terrains made me realise that biking isn’t just about the fun and excitement. It’s tough. Especially when you’re riding long distances or touring. It’s physically and emotionally demanding, and I got a taste of that during the shoot. But it also made me realise how rewarding the experience can be. And ever since then, I’ve wanted to do a proper bike trip on my own. Hopefully, I’ll get to do that soon.Biking comes with its share of challenges, especially for women riders. What have been some of the biggest hurdles you’ve faced on the road, and how have these experiences shaped you as a rider?One of the biggest challenges is people’s perception. We’re so used to associating bikes with men, so when a woman rides one, it suddenly becomes this extraordinary thing. And honestly, that’s kind of ridiculous, because at the end of the day, it’s just a vehicle. You learn, you practice, you get better. Just like anything else. But what really troubles me is that sometimes it doesn’t stop at perception. We’ve seen instances of women riders being pushed, intimidated, harassed on the road. It’s almost as if the audacity of a woman riding is so upsetting to some people that they’d rather harass her than just let her be. And that is really sad. I think we need to stop attaching gender to something as basic as riding a vehicle. I don’t ride to prove a point. I ride because I enjoy it. I just hope we get to a point where seeing a woman on a motorcycle is just as normal as seeing a man.Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!