"There were some emotions I hadn’t played onscreen."
Sajal Ali has named the project she considers to be the toughest of her career.
The star has been a firm fixture in film and Pakistani television.
Sajal made her television debut in Nadaaniyaan (2009).
In 2024, she was conferred with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz honour – one of Pakistan’s highest civilian awards.
Revealing her most challenging project, Sajal Ali said:
“The toughest project would have to be O Rangreza (2017–2018) because firstly, it was a difficult project as well as different.
“There were some emotions I hadn’t played onscreen before and there are so many sides to the character that feeling and portraying them was demanding.
“That was also the last project my mother had read for me and the last thing that she told me was, ‘It is something you have to do no matter what happens to me’.
“My sister and my family forced me back onto the set though I had absolutely no confidence in myself.
“But they did and they encouraged me to give it my all.”
Sajal has also appeared in the Bollywood film Mom (2017) alongside the legendary Sridevi.
In 2022, she starred in the British romantic comedy What’s Love Got To Do With It. The film was directed by Shekhar Kapur.
It also featured Shabana Azmi and was written by Jemima Khan.
Sajal Ali delved into her luck in working with talented people. She explained:
“I have been fortunate to have worked with great people, I’ve been really lucky.
“I never think of the differences, and instead focus on the experiences which have been significant learning opportunities.
“Through them, I’ve evolved not only as an artist but also as a person.
“During the time I worked with Jemima, the people, culture and environment were all so new as well as working alongside Shabana Azmi who is a legend and with Shekhar Kapur directing, it’s impossible to not have learnt so much.
“This is the mindset I keep whenever I commit to a project and it gives me an adrenaline rush.”
Sajal’s sister, Saboor Ali, recently took to Instagram to congratulate her on winning the award.
She wrote: “Only you know your struggles, challenges, and obstacles, so be proud of how far you have come.
“Your dedication and passion for your work is commendable.
“Mama must be so so so proud of you, smiling up in heaven with so much pride.
“I feel so blessed and proud whenever people call me Sajal’s sister. You are our pride.”
On the work front, Sajal Ali was last seen in the web series The Pink Shirt (2023) opposite Wahaj Ali.
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