Fatima Shaikh: Biking's Freedom & Freedom's Rider

Actress Fatima Shaikh describes motorcycle riding as a meditative experience that grants a sense of freedom and perspective. Her recent acquisition of a customized bike underscores her passion, which was further fueled by her role in the film 'Dhak Dhak,' involving demanding journeys through Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. These experiences taught her about endurance and the joy of the open road.

Shaikh challenges prevailing gender stereotypes, noting that women riders often face undue attention and harassment. She emphasizes that riding a motorcycle should not be viewed as extraordinary simply because a woman is doing it, arguing it's a skill like any other. Her childhood rides with her father fostered an early association with happiness and excitement, a sentiment that has evolved into a deep appreciation for the liberating and humbling aspects of controlling a machine that becomes an extension of oneself, especially in vast mountain landscapes.