Sajal Aly

Sajal Aly is a Pakistani actress and model who predominantly works in television and films. She has earned five Hum Awards and one Lux Style Award from thirteen total nominations.

Early life and education

Aly was born on 17 January 1994 in Lahore, Pakistan. She has one sister, Saboor Ali, who is also an actress.

Career

She began her professional journey with a recurring role in the Geo Entertainment sitcom Nadaaniyaan in 2009. This episodic appearance led to several leading roles in soap operas, including the melodrama Mehmoodabad Ki Malkain and the family drama Ahmed Habib Ki Betiyan. She also appeared in supporting roles for political-drama Mastana Mahi and the melodrama Meray Qatil Meray Dildar—the latter of which earned her a Hum Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

In 2012, Aly played the titular role in Express Entertainment's Chandni. She received praise that same year for portraying an outspoken college student in Mohabbat Jaye Bhar Mein. Her subsequent work included roles in Meri Ladli, Sitamgar, and Mere Khuwabon Ka Diya.

The year 2013 marked a breakthrough for the actress through her portrayal of an innocent teen in the thriller Nanhi. This highly rated series earned her nominations for a Lux Style Award for Best TV Actress - Satellite and a Pakistan Media Award for Best Actress. She continued this success with Gohar-e-Nayab and the high-rated Aasmanon Pay Likha. Later that year, she played a victim of split personality disorder in Sannata, which earned her another Lux Style Award nomination.

Aly's career progressed through various intense roles, such as a rape survivor in Chup Raho. This performance earned her a third nomination for Best TV Actress at the 14th Lux Style Awards. In 2015, she appeared in Khuda Dekh Raha Hai, which resulted in another Lux Style Award nomination. She also starred in Gul e Rana, where she played a women's rights activist and won her first Hum Award for Best Actress.

In 2017, she portrayed a resilient medical student in Yaqeen Ka Safar. This performance earned her the Hum Award for Best Actress Popular and the Hum Award for Best Actress. She also made her Bollywood debut that year in the film Mom, starring opposite Sridevi. Her portrayal of a victim of sexual assault received unanimous praise from critics.

Aly made her playback singing debut in 2018 with the theme song for O Rangreza. In this production, she played Sassi, a rebellious daughter of a poet. She later appeared in the television adaptation of Aangan, where a reviewer from The News International stated that she overshadowed everyone else in the play. This role earned her dual nominations at the 19th Lux Style Awards.

In 2019, she played a struggling actress named Momina Sultan in the spiritual romance Alif. She also appeared in the romantic thriller Yeh Dil Mera. Her work continued in 2021 with Ishq E Laa and the historical-drama Khel Khel Mein. For her performance as Zara in the latter film, she won Best Film Actress at the 21st Lux Style Awards. In 2022, she portrayed a female cadet from the Pakistan Military Academy in Sinf-e-Aahan.

Awards and recognition

Aly has received significant honors throughout her career. She was honoured with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the government of Pakistan. Her accolades include five Hum Awards and one Lux Style Award out of thirteen nominations.