Mental strength is key: Saleem Sheikh

Actor credits his strong faith in helping him overcome illness

In a recent interview on a local outlet with Wasi Shah, television star Saleem Sheikh championed strength of mind in overcoming any challenges as he recalled his battle with a difficult illness nearly three years ago.

“In 2021, I got sick,” remarked the Fairy Tale actor as he mused over the toll his illness took over his body. Casting his mind back to the weight loss that followed and the shock of the changes in his physical appearance, Saleem continued, “It was a very difficult time. I was so depressed. I was physically recovering, but everyone who saw me was really taken aback because I had lost so much weight.”

However, despite the trauma of falling severely ill, Saleem maintained that his strong inherent faith coupled with his ability to maintain his daily routine allowed him to move steadily forward.

“I think if you believe in God and have faith, then everything will get better,” he noted. “You need to be mentally very strong. I tried to stick to my routine as much as I could.” Sheikh added that his philosophy applied to more than just overcoming a physical illness.

“Everyone goes through difficult times,” pointed out the actor. “If you have any problems – it doesn’t have to be physical – you need to be so mentally strong that you can prevail. This is all a test of God, and it is your responsibility to get out of it.”

Saleem, the younger brother of television actor Javed Sheikh, hails from a family of showbiz stars. His brother-in-law Behroze Sabzwari, nephews Shahroz Sabzwari and Shahzad Sheikh, along with niece Momal Sheikh, are all working members of the showbiz industry. Saleem’s TV debut stretches all the way back to 1976, when he played the younger version of his brother’s character in PTV’s Shama. He was most recently seen in Fairy Tale 2 as Pasha Sahib and also had a role in the Eidul Fitr release Daghabaaz Dil.