Vijay Varma felt 'helpless' watching Fatima Sana Shaikh have a seizure; here’s what to do in that moment

Actor Vijay Varma recently spoke about a frightening moment on the sets of Gustaakh Ishq, when co-star Fatima Sana Shaikh suffered a seizure. He said the incident left him “vulnerable and helpless,” even though Fatima had prepared him and the team beforehand.

In an interview with Mashable India, Vijay said Fatima sensed something was off during the shoot and quietly warned him and a few crew members. “She had given us guidelines for what to do when she gets a seizure,” he recalled.

Vijay recalled the moment Fatima got the seizure and how he helped her. “Around pack-up time during late night and I was sitting outside and reading a book between takes and I heard something, and by that time, she had gotten a seizure. I felt so vulnerable and helpless. But then I recalled all the things that she had told me. We emptied out a bed on the shoot and made her lie down and asked people to give her space. I just kept my hand on her head and sat near her. We waited for the seizure to pass. Then we took her to the hotel in the car. When she came to the hotel, she was awake, but she didn’t recall everything.”

Witnessing the episode created a new emotional bond between them. “I felt so protective of her… maybe that’s why we have this kind of friendship,” he said.

Also Read: World Epilepsy Day 2025: Risks, precautions, expert advice for pregnancy with epilepsy

Fatima has openly spoken about her long journey with epilepsy, a neurological condition she has lived with since childhood.

Seizures are far more common than people realise, and knowing about to them can make a crucial difference.

What Exactly Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a long-lasting brain disorder. It causes the brain to have sudden bursts of unusual electrical activity. This leads to seizures that keep happening. Having a seizure doesn't always mean you have epilepsy. But if you have seizures that keep coming back without a clear reason, it's likely epilepsy.

Common Signs of a Seizure

Symptoms can be very different for each person, but some common signs are:

• Arms or legs jerking and out of control
• Body becoming stiff
• Losing consciousness
• Staring without blinking
• Being confused for a short time
• Not knowing what's going on around you
• Feeling, smelling, or experiencing odd things before it starts (called an aura)

After a seizure, a person might feel worn out, mixed up, or unable to remember what happened.

What Causes Epilepsy?

Epilepsy can happen because of:

Genes

Injuries to the head

Infections in the brain

Stroke

Problems with how the brain develops

Unknown reasons (in many cases, doctors can't find a clear cause)

How Doctors Treat Epilepsy

The good news is that doctors can treat epilepsy, and often people can control it well.

Ways to treat it include:

-Drugs that fight seizures (main treatment option)

-Changes in daily habits (better sleep handling stress staying away from triggers)

-Diet high in fat low in carbs (for certain patients)

-Operations or gadget-based treatments (when other methods don't work)

With proper care most epilepsy patients, including Fatima, enjoy busy full lives.

Also Read: Living with epilepsy: Tips for staying healthy and managing the condition with lifestyle tweaks

What to Do If Someone Has a Seizure

Vijay recalled feeling "helpless" at that moment, like many others who witness someone with a seizure for the first time.

Seizures can be scary to watch — but the correct response is simple.

1. Stay calm and keep the person safe

• Move sharp objects or obstacles away
• Loosen tight clothing
• Place something soft under their head

This is exactly what Vijay and the crew did on set.

2. Time the seizure

• Most seizures last 1–3 minutes.
• Call emergency services if it lasts longer than 5 minutes.

3. Lay them on their side

Once the movements stop, gently turn the person to their left side to keep the airway open.

4. Do not put anything in their mouth

• They cannot swallow their tongue.
• Putting objects in their mouth can cause injuries or choke them.

5. Stay with them until fully conscious

• The person may feel confused, emotional, or exhausted.
• Reassure them and stay close until they recover.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Call a doctor or emergency services if:

• The seizure lasts over 5 minutes
• It’s the person’s first-ever seizure
• They get injured during the episode
• They have trouble breathing afterwards
• They have another seizure immediately after

For people with known epilepsy, any change from their usual pattern should be reported to their neurologist.