Sajal Aly (Urdu: سجل علی, born 17 January 1994)^[1][2] is a Pakistani actress and model who predominantly works in television and films. One of the Pakistan's highest-paid actress,^[3] Aly has received several accolades including five Hum Awards and a Lux Style Award out of thirteen nominations.

She began her career with Geo TV's sitcom Nadaaniyaan (2009) and later on appeared in leading role in soap opera Mehmoodabad Ki Malkain (2011). She took on to supporting roles in several television productions and had a breakthrough and critical success with the thriller Nanhi (2013) which earned her first nomination of Lux Style Award for Best TV Actress. Further praise came for her portrayals in the family dramatic Sannata (2013-14) and Khuda Dekh Raha Hai (2015) for which she received Best TV Actress nomination at the Lux Style Awards.

Aly since done some variety of work and is best known for her head strong portrayals of Dr. Zubiya Asfandyar in Yaqeen Ka Safar (2017), Sassi in O Rangreza (2017–18), Momina Sultan in Alif (2019), Rabia Safeer in Sinf-e-Aahan (2021) and Aaliya Agha in Kuch Ankahi (2023) all of which her performances were better received and the first two of these earned her the Hum Award for Best Actress Popular and Best Actress respectively.

Early life and family

Aly was born on 17 January 1994 in Lahore Pakistan. She has one sister Saboor Ali, who is also an actress and one brother.^[4] In 2017, her mother, Rahat died of cancer.^[5] Speaking on it during an interview she said, "Whatever happened next is still a blur. The day my mother died, this very lounge was filled with people. I have no clue how I found the strength to get through it all, but I did".^[6]

Personal life

Despite persistent rumours of dating her co-star and actor Ahad Raza Mir since they worked in 2018 series Yaqeen Ka Safar, both did not publicly speak about their relationship.^[7][8] They got engaged on 6 June 2019, in an intimate ceremony and posted a picture on Instagram handle with the caption, "Here’s to new beginnings".^[9][10] Aly married Mir on 14 March 2020 at Abu Dhabi with close family and friends by their side.^[11][12] The speculations regarding their separation surrounding after the actor's absence from various occasions.^[13] In March 2022, the couple were legally divorced.^[14][15]

Career

Early work (2009–2012)

Aly made her first on-screen appearance with a recurring role in Geo Entertainment's sitcom Nadaaniyaan (2011).^[16] It was an episodic appearance followed by leading roles in several soap operas including, the melodrama Mehmoodabad Ki Malkain,^[17][18][19] the family Ahmed Habib Ki Betiyan^[16] and supporting roles in primetime political-drama Mastana Mahi,^[16][20] and the melodrama Meray Qatil Meray Dildar,^[17] the later of which earned her a nomination of Hum Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In 2012, she played the titular role in Express Entertainment's Chandni. The same year, she received praised for portraying a young outspoken college student in Fasih Bari Khan's written Mohabbat Jaye Bhar Mein^[16][18] She then appeared as naive poor Esha in Meri Ladli opposite Ahsan Khan, as carefree cancer patient Zoya in Fahim Burney's Sitamgar opposite Faisal Rehman, and as a girl nextdoor in Syed Ahmed Kamran's Mere Khuwabon Ka Diya opposite Danish Taimoor.^[21] Her next role was in Fasih Bari Khan's Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah as an opportunistic tenant for few episodes.^[22]

Breakthrough and recognition (2013–2016)

In 2013, Aly received critical praise for her portrayal of an innocent teen child in Haseeb Hassan's directed Nanhi,^[23][24] The series was highly rated and earned her the nominations of Lux Style Award for Best TV Actress - Satellite and Pakistan Media Awards for Best Actress.^[24] Her next appearance was in Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi's Gohar-e-Nayab as the titular Gori, a young orphaned with exceptional spirit despite the mistreatment. The series earned her another nomination of Pakistan Media Award for Best TV Actress also. Her performance as a young troubled child in Asim Raza's Behadd alongside Nadia Jamil and Fawad Khan was praised by critics.^[20] The same year, she starred in Mohsin Mirza's directed Aasmanon Pay Likha alongside Sheheryar Munawar which turned out to be the highest rated television series of the year in Pakistan.^[25][16] Aly then portrayed a victim of split personality disorder in Kashif Nisar's directed Sannata alongside Danish Taimoor and Saba Qamar. Her performance brought her favourable reviews and a nomination of Lux Style Award for Best TV Actress.^[16][26]

In 2014, her roles in Barkat Siddiqui's directed Qudrat, Faiza Iftikhar's written Kahani Raima Aur Manahil Ki and Waseem Abbas's directed Ladoon Mein Pali were went unnoticed.^[16][24] However, the portrayal of a rape survivor in Yasir Nawaz's directed Chup Raho propelled her career.^[18] Despite the negative reviews that the series received due to the misleading depicting of the rape, her performance was praised, earning her third nomination as a Best TV Actress at 14th Lux Style Awards.^[26][27] This was followed by less well-received portrayals in A-Plus TV's Mera Raqeeb and Chupke Se Bahar Ajaye.^[16][28]

Her first role in 2015 was of submissive girl dominated by her mother's ideologies in Sabiha Sumar's directed Khuda Dekh Raha Hai, earned her another nomination of Lux Style Award for Best TV Actress.^[29][30][31] Later that year, she made her second on-screen appearance with Agha Ali after Khuda Dekh Raha Hai in Kashif Nisar's directed Kis Se Kahoon,^[16] where she portrayed a young college student who faces the hurdles there courageously. Her next role was in Siraj-ul-Haque's directed love-triangle Tum Mere Kya Ho as a young caretaker of a widower's daughter.^[16][24] Her portrayal of a women rights activist opposite Feroze Khan in the romance Gul e Rana earned her further praise.^[27] Despite mixed reviews, the series was highly rated like her previous collaboration with Khan, Chup Raho. For her performance she received her first ever award, Hum Award for Best Actress and a nomination of Best Actress at 15th Lux Style Awards.^[26] Aly then appeared in Anjum Shahzad's directed romance-drama Mera Yaar Miladay opposite Faysal Quraishi which couldn't get wider response.^[24]

Established actress (2017–present)

In 2017, Aly appeared as a troubled and resilient medical student opposite Ahad Raza Mir in Farhat Ishtiaq's written Yaqeen Ka Safar which was based on Ishtiaq's novel Woh Yaqeen Ka Naya Safar.^[32] Her performance in the series is often ranked among one of her best and earned her Hum Award for Best Actress, Hum Award for Best Actress Popular and a nomination of Best Television Actress at the 17th Lux Style Awards.^[33][34] The same year, she made her Bollywood debut starring opposite Sridevi in Mom.^[35] The film emerged a box office success with Aly’s performance as a of victim of sexual assault unanimously receiving praise.^[36] Rahul Desai of Filmfare found Aly to be "great in maintaining the coldness of her character".^[37]

Aly made her playback singing debut in 2018 with the theme song of O Rangreza, in which she played the character of Sassi, a vibrant and rebellious daughter of a poet.^[38] She received praise for her performance and another nomination of Best TV Actress at the 17th Lux Style Awards.^[39] Her next role was of a university student who gets stiff in her decision of love in Sarmad Khoosat's directed Noor ul Ain, and was paired opposite Imran Abbas.^[40] Later that year, she appeared as Chammi in Khadija Mastoor's acclaimed novel Aangan's television adaptation with the same name which was directed by Mohammed Ehteshamuddin.^[41] She received critical praise for her performance with Dawn Images ranking it as one of the top 6 performances of television in 2019.^[42] After the series ended, a reviewer from The News International stated, "Sajal Aly stole the limelight and overshadowed everyone and everything else surrounding the recently concluded play".^[43] She reveived dual nominations as Best TV Actress - Viewers' choice and Best TV Actress - Critics' choice at the 19th Lux Style Awards.^[44]

In 2019, Aly was praised for her first role of the year of a struggling actress Momina Sultan in Geo Entertainment's spiritual romance Alif where she appeared opposite Hamza Ali Abbasi.^[45] The series earned her a nomination of Best TV Actress at the 20th Lux Style Awards.^[46] The little praise came from her portrayal of a university graduatee with nightmare problems in Farhat Ishtiaq's written romantic thriller Yeh Dil Mera, which broadcast on Hum TV.^[47]

In 2021, she appeared in the first eight episodes of Ishq E Laa opposite Azaan Sami Khan as a fearless journalist.^[48] The same year, she returned to the silver screen as Zara in Nabeel Qureshi's directed historical-drama Khel Khel Mein opposite Bilal Abbas Khan.^[49] She won Best Film Actress for her performance in the film at the 21st Lux Style Awards.^[50]

Her first role in 2022 was of a female cadet from Pakistan Military Academy in Nadeem Baig's directed Sinf-e-Aahan alongside an ensemble female cast. The series earned her Best TV Actress - Critics' nomination at the 22nd Lux Style Awards.^[51]

In 2023, she appeared as a hardworking real estate agent in Syed Mohammad Ahmed's written Kuch Ankahi in her second on-screen appearance with Bilal Abbas Khan.^[52] The same year, she made her English-language film debut with the British romantic comedy What's Love Got to Do with It? in a brief but pivotal role. It was produced by Jemima Khan and directed by Shekhar Kapur. Writing for Wionews Shomini Sen liked the movie and opined, "Aly delivers a restraint performance".^[53] The film earned $11.1 million and emerged commercially successful.^[54][55]

Upcoming projects

Aly’s web series titled The Pink Shirt opposite Wahaj Ali is set to be released soon on Zee5. The project is directed by Kashif Nisar and written by Bee Gul.

Media image

Aly is considered one of Pakistan's highest-paid actresses.^[56] In 2021, she featured in Eastern Eye top 50 Asian Celebrity list ranked at seventh is the only Pakistani actress in top 10 and in 2023, she was ranked at seventeen.^[57][58] Aly is in the list of top 10 most followed Pakistani actress and has over 10 million followers on Instagram. In 2023, she has appeared in Eastern Eye's Top 30 under 30 Asians list ranked at sixteenth.^[59] She serves as an brand endorsement for several products such as Tecno,^[60] Veet and Realme.^[61]

Filmography

Films

Television

Telefilm

Web series

Awards and nominations