Laughter Chefs’ Reem Shaikh on coming from an inter-religion family; says ‘I was never forced to adapt to anything’

Reem Shaikh, who was seen on Laughter Chefs, opened up about her interfaith upbringing in a heartfelt conversation with Sana Khan on her Ramadan special vlogs. She shared that she was never pressured to follow any particular traditions and expressed her desire for a relaxed Ramadan this year, prioritizing quality time with her family.

Had you met me 4 years back, I was a different person. Right now, I am a very different person. Main bhatki hui thi, but Allah brought me on the right path. Many things happened in my life, which I am going to remember till my last breath.

I come from an inter-religion family. I was never forced to adapt to anything. Neither of my parents. For me it is very important to belong to a family, where I have gotten an identity of my own. Me dying as a Muslim will be a blessing for me.

My father took me for auditions for the first time. I don’t know, what he thought but I am grateful that he saw that potential in me and now I am working. I have mostly been alone. I don’t have a big family. I would be afraid of crowds. Even in playschool, I would cry always. My schooling started late. When I started acting, everyone noticed, that I am comfortable in front of so many people and saying dialogues.

When it happened, I got scared. It was sugar, but felt like glass shards. Someone threw water on me because that sugar shouldn’t get stuck. But you shouldn’t throw water on burnt area. My friends were like family then, Jannat didn’t leave my side at all. I had so many thoughts, why me… but everyone pepped me. There was a lot of pain. I cried a lot in the bathroom, I stepped out and I was just fine.

Being an actor, sometimes you get a lot of work and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes I feel I am a nobody. And that’s why I don’t attend much events or parties. I feel like why will I walk in and people would recognise me. But I have that faith in me that they will know me when something very good happens.

I love khichda and phirni. I don’t leave these two items. If I don’t have them, I feel like I haven’t eaten anything.

I have mostly spent all Ramzans while working. This year, I winded up all my work and wanted to have a work-free Ramzan. I wanted to rest a bit. I have never spent Ramzan with my dadi, Iftari preparations. This year, I am doing everything. I have been waiting for Ramzan this year.