A decade and a half ago, a meek, wide-eyed Sajal Ali entered the Pakistani entertainment industry, debuting with Nadaaniyaan. With self-admitted highs and lows embellishing her journey, Sajal can now boast a staggering fan following in the millions, a body of work that boggles, awards and accolades that are a testament to her craft, and the recently conferred Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. Speaking exclusively to The Express Tribune, the actor opened up on fame, trials, and honours. Shedding light on her journey, Sajal shared, "As an outsider with no connection or family in the industry, the first few years were met with immense challenges but because of those challenges I was able to gradually make my presence felt in the industry. I have absolutely no regrets. In fact, I cherish my initial years in the industry that have made me a stronger person today."

Gaining her footing in shows such as Nanhi and Gohar-e-Nayab, Sajal's skill set began to attract eyeballs. Her journey continued with standout performances in emotionally profound offerings like Behadd and Yaqeen Ka Safar. Sajal's talent transcended borders with her Bollywood debut in Mom, where her portrayal of a victim of sexual assault garnered universal acclaim.

The star's portrayal of the vibrant and rebellious Sassi in O Rangreza earned her further praise and nominations. Continuing her impressive streak, Sajal garnered critical applause for her role as Chammi in the television adaptation of the acclaimed novel Aangan. She proceeded to win over audiences with her portrayal of Momina Sultan in the spiritual romance Alif. Sajal's versatility was further showcased in 2022 with her portrayal of a female cadet in Sinf-e-Aahan, whereas 2023 brought forth the portrayal of a hardworking real estate agent in Kuch Ankahi. Moreover, the actor stepped into Hollywood with her debut in What's Love Got to Do with It? in a brief, yet significant role The gifted artist, who was recently honoured with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, marking yet another milestone in her upward trek towards inimitable fame, described the prestige as "surreal." She stated, "I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, especially my mother who has played a pivotal role in shaping my career; this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without her support and contribution towards my career. I owe everything to my mother. At the same time receiving this honour has further motivated me to work hard, and associate myself with projects that can help me put Pakistan on the world map of entertainment."

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 30 2024

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