ISLAMABAD: When Sajal Aly appears on screen, the screen comes to life, capturing the attention of the audience and keeping it there till the very end. One of the extraordinary and most talented inspirations in the media world, she is always growing as she fights to avoid falling into a single mould. A powerful performer who does not need to post frequently on social media to be adored despite her self-doubts. The authenticity and the finesse, she adds to her performances, has made her persona one of honesty and passion, with a lot to express both out loud and through her eyes.
Sajal is a young woman who is completely enamoured with her work. She has a delicate frame, yet her eyes speak volumes, and she exudes an air of sincerity. In an intense recollection of a favourite part, or a lesson learned, or an ordeal endured, her eyes become moist, and her voice trembled slightly. As per her, “Perhaps I just have a lot of emotions to give to the characters I play, given I’ve been through so much in my life. That makes it easier for me to establish a connection with my audience’.
Sajal Aly does not require accolades to prove her worth. If she wants to be admired, she does not have to be active on social media. Her performances in all her projects continue to be lauded. A tremendous deal of industry pride comes from her, but she is not the driving force behind it. Although she has reservations, Sajal is aware of her uniqueness.
She said in an interview that, “People often tell me that my performances make them cry. Just like I can make people laugh, I believe I can do the same for them.” This could be because not all actors are capable of eliciting this level of emotion from their audiences.
The question is whether or not Sajal is conscious of the influence she has on her audience. Sajal stated, “I think I’m fortunate.” “Sometimes it’s just a matter of luck.” In addition to good fortune, she’s also a talented actress, as evidenced by the glowing accolades she’s received for her work in TV dramas, a Bollywood movie role, and now, a leading role in the Hollywood film What’s Love Got to Do with It? directed by Shekhar Kapoor and produced by Jemima Goldsmith.
“When I got cast in the Bollywood film Mom, I believed I was just lucky. This is the second time something similar has happened to me. Given that this is my Hollywood debut, I’m beginning to think maybe people like me. Because of her success, Sajal Aly believes that she has become a persistent force in the entertainment sector. She recalls actor Bilal Abbas, who co-starred with her in the drama O Rangreza and the film Khel Khel Mein, telling her that she should quit doubting herself. Even though she considers herself fortunate, she cannot deny that her talent as an actress has played a significant role in her career.
The Pinnacle of Hollywood
Sajal recalls the time she met Mom co-star Sri Devi, who has since passed away. ‘I inquired as to their reasoning for picking me as in India, there is a wealth of talent.’ ‘Because you are so wonderful at what you do,’ Siri Devi told her. In the past, Pakistani performers who have earned international experience have frequently expressed their displeasure with the lack of organisation and professionalism in Pakistan.
In Pakistan, Sajal explains, “there is virtually no difference save for the fact that we are working with fewer funds. We may need to put in some extra effort, and I may need to extend favours by working a few extra hours. This is the case Only that is different. To get foreign workers, the filmmakers had to have seen my work in Pakistan first. When I travel outside of Pakistan, I do so in the persona of a Pakistani. The work that I do contributes to my profession, and I want to keep doing it for as long as possible.”
Despite her dedication to Pakistan’s entertainment industry, Sajal is not blind to the politics that lurk just beneath the surface. While filming Mom (2017), she remembers being seated in the front row of criticism and political events. How could Sajal Aly have been chosen to play against the famous Sri Devi?’ was a common question.”
Sajal had previously worked with actors like Sania Saeed and Nadia Jamil, both of whom she considered being on par with Sri Devi’s image. “Because of my work in Pakistan, India had selected me, whereas Pakistan only promoted me to the front row after I had worked in India. As a society, we need to respect our talents on their own merits!”
Sajal has yet to receive a Lux Style Award. It is an astounding fact. According to Sajal, “I have been nominated many times and, honestly, it all gets balanced out because I receive so much love from my audience.”
Sajal is a powerful actor, and it’s hard to believe anyone would wish to ignore her. Indeed, they can no longer do so. She has performed so many challenging roles dedicatedly and has made a name for herself in industry.
