# Sajal Aly (سجال علی)
**Sajal Aly** (سجال علی; born 1994) is a Pakistani actress known for her work in Urdu television dramas and films, including leading roles in *Yaqeen Ka Safar*, *O Rangreza*, *Alif*, and the Bollywood film *Mom* opposite Sridevi.[1](https://www.filmnoir.app/links/tmdb/person/1254942) She is one of Pakistan's most prominent television performers, has received five [Hum Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/hum-awards) and a Lux Style Award, and was honored with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the [Government of Pakistan](https://www.edgepedia.org/government-of-pakistan) for her contributions to the entertainment industry.[1](https://www.filmnoir.app/links/tmdb/person/1254942) • [2](https://sixscreen.com/celebs/sajal-aly)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1994, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan[1](https://www.filmnoir.app/links/tmdb/person/1254942) |
| Debut | Minor role in one episode of the Geo TV sitcom *Nadaaniyaan*, 2009[3](https://www.pakdrama.pk/cast/sajal-aly) |
| Signature TV roles | Dr Zubiya in *Yaqeen Ka Safar* (2017), Sassi in *O Rangreza* (2017), Momina in *Alif* (2019), Rabia Safeer in *Sinf-e-Aahan* (2021), Aaliya Agha in *Kuch Ankahi* (2023)[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment) |
| Film work | *Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay* (2016), *Mom* (2017), *Khel Khel Mein* (2021), *What's Love Got to Do with It?* (2023)[3](https://www.pakdrama.pk/cast/sajal-aly) • [5](https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1667196) |
| Awards | Five Hum Awards, one Lux Style Award, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz[1](https://www.filmnoir.app/links/tmdb/person/1254942) • [2](https://sixscreen.com/celebs/sajal-aly) |
| Singing | Sang the theme song of *O Rangreza*, in which she plays Sassi[6](https://dailytimes.com.pk/289945/pride-of-pakistan-sajal-aly/) |
| Recent work | *Zard Patton Ka Bunn* (2024), *Dil Wali Gali Mein* (2025), *Main Manto Nahi Hoon* (2025), *Zanjeerain* (2026)[7](https://nigarcraft.com.pk/sajal-aly-dramas-list-best-serials-latest-projects-2026/) |
## Early life and career beginnings
Sajal Aly was born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, and entered the entertainment industry at a young age.[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment) Her first screen appearance was a minor role in one episode of the 2009 Geo TV comedy drama *Nadaaniyaan*.[6](https://dailytimes.com.pk/289945/pride-of-pakistan-sajal-aly/) Her breakout came in the 2011 [ARY Digital](https://www.edgepedia.org/ary-digital) family drama *Mehmoodabad Ki Malkain*, in which she appeared alongside four other newcomers, including her sister [Saboor Aly](https://www.edgepedia.org/saboor-aly).[6](https://dailytimes.com.pk/289945/pride-of-pakistan-sajal-aly/) • [8](https://www.dawn.com/news/1372927/sajals-sojourn)
**Early recognition.** Performances in the teen drama *Nanhi* (2013), the psychological drama *Sannata*, the revenge drama *Chup Raho*, and the spiritual romance *Khuda Dekh Raha Hai* earned her widespread recognition and Lux Style Award for Best Actress nominations.[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment) • [6](https://dailytimes.com.pk/289945/pride-of-pakistan-sajal-aly/) She also garnered critical acclaim for portraying a troubled child in the telefilm *Behadd* (2013).[6](https://dailytimes.com.pk/289945/pride-of-pakistan-sajal-aly/) In a 2017 Dawn profile, her career path was described as running from working as a brand promotions girl at a mall and financially supporting her family to becoming one of the most in-demand actresses of her generation; she was rejected at an early audition because of her "screechy" voice.[8](https://www.dawn.com/news/1372927/sajals-sojourn)
She has never attended an acting school. At a public appearance she said, "As an actor, I've never learnt to act formally from any school," crediting industry veterans and her early-career projects for her training.[9](https://arynews.tv/sajal-aly-credits-veterans-for-acting-lessons) • [10](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2528809/sajal-ali-didnt-begin-her-journey-in-an-acting-school)
## Breakthrough television roles
Two 2017 serials on [Hum TV](https://www.edgepedia.org/hum-tv) defined her standing. In *Yaqeen Ka Safar*, directed by Shahzad Kashmiri, she played Dr Zubiya, a role the Gulf Times described as the vulnerable and relatable counterpart to her assertive Sassi in Kashif Nisar's *O Rangreza*; both performances drew two nominations at the Lux Style Awards 2018 in the single category of Best Actress.[11](https://www.gulf-times.com/story/584636/i-look-forward-to-a-project-where-i-can-challenge-my-abilities) • [12](https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/239798-Catching-up-with-Sajal-Aly) Aly has called Sassi her favorite character, saying the part required her to "push my boundaries and open up emotionally" because the character had so many layers and shades.[8](https://www.dawn.com/news/1372927/sajals-sojourn)
**Later leading roles.** In *Alif* (2019), directed by Haseeb Hassan and co-starring [Hamza Ali Abbasi](https://www.edgepedia.org/hamza-ali-abbasi), she played Momina Sultan in a drama exploring spirituality and personal transformation.[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment) • [13](https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/543397-i-become-my-own-competition-after-each-role) In *Sinf-e-Aahan* (2021) she played Rabia Safeer, a woman pursuing a military career, in a drama centered on women in military training.[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment) In *Kuch Ankahi* (2023) she played Aaliya Agha, the middle daughter of Agha Jan and an optimistic real estate professional, in a socially conscious family drama on ARY Digital.[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment) • [14](https://hnpublisher.com/ojs/index.php/OMS/article/download/786/755/4746) In *Zard Patton Ka Bunn* (2024) she played Meenu (Maimoona), a character in a drama addressing healthcare, women's health, and education in rural Pakistan; during shooting she fell from a bicycle at least three times and was hurt while filming scenes in simple village dress.[3](https://www.pakdrama.pk/cast/sajal-aly) • [14](https://hnpublisher.com/ojs/index.php/OMS/article/download/786/755/4746) • [15](https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1838291)
Her 2026 serial *Zanjeerain* pairs her with Ameer Gilani in a Hum TV drama scripted by Farhat Ishtiaq.[16](https://socialdiary.pk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06-12-July-2025-Social-Diary-Magazine_Page.pdf)
## Film and international work
Aly's first feature film was the Pakistani romance *Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay* (2016), in which she played an aspiring actress.[6](https://dailytimes.com.pk/289945/pride-of-pakistan-sajal-aly/) She made her Bollywood debut in [Boney Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/boney-kapoor)'s *Mom* (2017), playing Arya, an 18-year-old stepdaughter of Sridevi's character, alongside [Adnan Siddiqui](https://www.edgepedia.org/adnan-siddiqui), Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and [Akshaye Khanna](https://www.edgepedia.org/akshaye-khanna).[12](https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/239798-Catching-up-with-Sajal-Aly) • [17](https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mom-bollywood-was-never-my-dream-says-sajal-aly/story-q8FyDgxadMsLi0ytrvf13L.html) The film was Sridevi's 300th, and Aly said of the role, "It was definitely a challenging role," while describing Bollywood as never having been her dream.[17](https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mom-bollywood-was-never-my-dream-says-sajal-aly/story-q8FyDgxadMsLi0ytrvf13L.html) Reviewers noted her performance: The Wire described Arya as often snapping at her stepmother, and a Youlin Magazine review wrote that she "has played an important role with all the sensitivity it required."[18](https://m.thewire.in/article/film/mom-film-review) • [19](https://www.youlinmagazine.com/article/film-review-pakistani-actors-shine-in-mom/ODg3)
In 2021 she appeared in the film *Khel Khel Mein* as Zara Karamullah, and in 2023 she played Maymouna in *What's Love Got to Do with It?*, a British film directed by [Shekhar Kapur](https://www.edgepedia.org/shekhar-kapur) and co-produced by [Jemima Goldsmith](https://www.edgepedia.org/jemima-goldsmith), which she described as her Hollywood debut.[3](https://www.pakdrama.pk/cast/sajal-aly) • [5](https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1667196) Casting for the film was complicated by COVID-19 travel restrictions; producer Kentish Barnes recalled that Aly, who has a major following in Pakistan, was "completely game" about doing whatever it took to make the London shoot work.[20](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.filmtrackonline.com/mongrelmedia/starcm_vault_root/media%2Fpublicwebassets%2FWHATS_LOVE_GOT_TO_DO_WITH_IT_final_Mongrel_press_kit_%7B577a395b-71e8-ed11-a9e5-d4b7dc424a90%7D.pdf) She also headlined the ZEE5 web series *Dhoop Ki Deewar* (2021) opposite [Ahad Raza Mir](https://www.edgepedia.org/ahad-raza-mir).[21](https://gulfnews.com/amp/story/entertainment%2Fpakistani-cinema%2Fwhy-pakistani-star-sajal-aly-is-the-busiest-star-in-the-country-today-1.84639496)
## Awards and recognition
Aly has won five Hum Awards and one Lux Style Award, with dozens of nominations across the two bodies.[1](https://www.filmnoir.app/links/tmdb/person/1254942) Her Lux Style Award was for Best Film Actress at the 21st Lux Style Awards (2022) for *Khel Khel Mein*.[2](https://sixscreen.com/celebs/sajal-aly) Earlier wins include Best TV Actress at the 5th Hum Awards (2017) and Best Actress at the 6th Hum Awards (2018).[2](https://sixscreen.com/celebs/sajal-aly) The Government of Pakistan has awarded her the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, the country's fourth-highest civilian honor, for her contributions to the entertainment industry.[1](https://www.filmnoir.app/links/tmdb/person/1254942) • [2](https://sixscreen.com/celebs/sajal-aly)
## Acting style and reception
Aly is known for expressive acting, communicating emotion through facial expressions, voice, dialogue delivery, and subtle body language, and for attempting to give each character a separate identity rather than repeating one persona.[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment) Dawn's 2022 Icon Interview described her as "a rare powerhouse, latent with talent, diversifying as she tries to not conform to a single character template," and noted that her performances earn praise regardless of whether each project becomes a hit.[5](https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1667196) Her own account of her method is unceremonious: "I don't know if there's a method to acting, but I know I need to be in that moment while shooting. As soon as the director calls cut, I snap out of it."[12](https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/239798-Catching-up-with-Sajal-Aly)
Her portrayal of strong, independent female characters has been a recurring feature of her career; characters such as Dr Zubiya, Sassi, Momina, Rabia, and Aaliya each carry professional ambitions and personal struggles beyond romance.[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment) An academic study of *Zard Patton Ka Bunn* noted that her character Meenu uses language that goes against societal norms, contributing to the drama's engagement with women's liberation in rural Pakistan.[14](https://hnpublisher.com/ojs/index.php/OMS/article/download/786/755/4746)
## Personal life
Aly married the Pakistani actor Ahad Raza Mir in Lahore, Pakistan; the two later divorced.[22](https://propakistani.pk/lens/celebrity/sajal-aly/) • [23](https://dailythedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GWADAR-DATED-FOR-21-MAY-2025.pdf) Her mother died of cancer in 2017, within days of a family trip for Umrah, while Aly was wrapping up *Mom*; Aly has said the loss taught her how temporary fame is and that "after what I've been through I find it difficult to take stardom seriously."[8](https://www.dawn.com/news/1372927/sajals-sojourn) Her younger sister, Saboor Aly, is also a well-known Pakistani actress.[4](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment)
## References
1. [Sajal Ali – FilmNoir App (TMDB person profile)](https://www.filmnoir.app/links/tmdb/person/1254942)
2. [Sajal Aly – Pakistani Actress, Biography, Dramas & Movies, SixScreen](https://sixscreen.com/celebs/sajal-aly)
3. [Sajal Aly – Complete Drama List & Bio, Pak Drama](https://www.pakdrama.pk/cast/sajal-aly)
4. [Sajal Aly – A Versatile Star of Pakistani Entertainment, Forbes Pakistan](https://forbes.com.pk/article/sajal-aly-a-versatile-star-of-pakistani-entertainment)
5. [The Icon Interview: There's Something About Sajal, Dawn (January 2, 2022)](https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1667196)
6. [Pride of Pakistan: Sajal Aly, Daily Times (August 30, 2018)](https://dailytimes.com.pk/289945/pride-of-pakistan-sajal-aly/)
7. [Sajal Aly Dramas List: Best Serials & Latest Projects 2026, Nigar Craft](https://nigarcraft.com.pk/sajal-aly-dramas-list-best-serials-latest-projects-2026/)
8. [SAJAL'S SOJOURN, Dawn (2017)](https://www.dawn.com/news/1372927/sajals-sojourn)
9. [Sajal Aly credits veterans for acting lessons, ARY News](https://arynews.tv/sajal-aly-credits-veterans-for-acting-lessons)
10. [Sajal Ali didn't begin her journey in an acting school, The Express Tribune](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2528809/sajal-ali-didnt-begin-her-journey-in-an-acting-school)
11. ["I look forward to a project where I can challenge my abilities", Gulf Times](https://www.gulf-times.com/story/584636/i-look-forward-to-a-project-where-i-can-challenge-my-abilities)
12. [Catching up with Sajal Aly, The News International Instep (October 26, 2017)](https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/239798-Catching-up-with-Sajal-Aly)
13. ["I become my own competition after each role.", The News International Instep](https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/543397-i-become-my-own-competition-after-each-role)
14. [Online Media & Society: analysis of Zard Patton Ka Bunn and Kuch Ankahi, HN Publisher](https://hnpublisher.com/ojs/index.php/OMS/article/download/786/755/4746)
15. [Spotlight: Navigating the Path Less Taken, Dawn](https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1838291)
16. [Social Diary Sunday Magazine, July 6–12, 2025](https://socialdiary.pk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06-12-July-2025-Social-Diary-Magazine_Page.pdf)
17. [Mom: Bollywood was never my dream, says Sajal Aly, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mom-bollywood-was-never-my-dream-says-sajal-aly/story-q8FyDgxadMsLi0ytrvf13L.html)
18. [Despite Good Performances, 'Mom' Is Unconvincing And Fails Cinema, The Wire](https://m.thewire.in/article/film/mom-film-review)
19. [Film Review: Pakistani Actors Shine in 'Mom', Youlin Magazine](https://www.youlinmagazine.com/article/film-review-pakistani-actors-shine-in-mom/ODg3)
20. [What's Love Got to Do with It? Mongrel Media press kit](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.filmtrackonline.com/mongrelmedia/starcm_vault_root/media%2Fpublicwebassets%2FWHATS_LOVE_GOT_TO_DO_WITH_IT_final_Mongrel_press_kit_%7B577a395b-71e8-ed11-a9e5-d4b7dc424a90%7D.pdf)
21. [Why Pakistani star Sajal Aly is the busiest star in the country today, Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/amp/story/entertainment%2Fpakistani-cinema%2Fwhy-pakistani-star-sajal-aly-is-the-busiest-star-in-the-country-today-1.84639496)
22. [Sajal Aly – Age, Husband, Drama List, Divorce, Instagram and More, ProPakistani](https://propakistani.pk/lens/celebrity/sajal-aly/)
23. [Gwadar daily, May 21, 2025 (report on Ahad Raza Mir's father discussing working with his former daughter-in-law Sajal Aly)](https://dailythedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GWADAR-DATED-FOR-21-MAY-2025.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of South Asia › Pakistani screen actors, 2000s onward*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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