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India felt like home, says Sajal Aly of shooting her first film in Bollywood

India felt like home, says Sajal Aly of shooting her first film in Bollywood

The actor talks about her Bolly debut Mom, upcoming film Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay, and acting with Sridevi
Updated 31 Aug, 2016

With her Pakistani cinematic debut, Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay just around the corner, Sajal Aly is also gearing up for her big Bolly debut this fall.

By now we can see that this young Chup Raho famed actress is probably one of the busiest actors of our fraternity. Having had proved her mettle as an actor par excellence; Sajal Aly has just recently wrapped up most of the shooting spells for her Bollywood film, Mom.

And to find out what makes Sajal one of the most in-demand and desirable faces of the nation, we got hold of the actor who defines youth and zeal. In conversation with Images, the actor opens up about her forthcoming cinematic ventures.

Images: Why did you choose to make your cinematic debut with a non-commercial film, wasn't that a risky decision?

Sajal Aly: Well, Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay is an intense romantic film but I wouldn't call it non-commercial. It caters to all audiences. I think it's a very different film, and you never know what works. Udta Punjab, for instance, was a film that dealt with drug abuse across the border, but ended up doing really well. So to me, entertainment doesn't necessarily mean light-hearted comedy extravaganzas. There's entertainment in art and drama as well.

It's actually about how you engage your audiences and grip their attention, it's about how well the story is executed and the actors have performed. I play a character that I've never portrayed so far and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. At this stage, I don't think we can predict a film's success or failure, but I strongly believe that we must introduce all sorts of genres to take local cinema forward.

Sajal Aly and Faroze Khan on the set of their upcoming film Zindagi Haseen Hay
Sajal Aly and Faroze Khan on the set of their upcoming film Zindagi Haseen Hay

Images: Tell us a bit about ZKHH and your role as Mahira in the film.

SA: Starting off with my character, I play a very multi-layered woman; she has a lot of facets to her personality. She is somebody who can go to any extent to secure her relationships. She's very passionate about her loved ones, very emotional, but at the same time she's a very strong, independent woman who is trying to chase her dreams.

The film as a whole is about how our youngsters these days are very jazbaati, and they believe everything will turn out fine, whereas that's not the case. ZKHH narrates the journey of two people who get married and eventually end up facing hurdles in life with what they wanted from it. It's a modern-day contemporary subject that addresses how our youth deal with their relationships and goals.

Images: How was your experience working across the border on Mom?

SA: It was a beautiful experience working on Mom. The respect and appreciation that I have received is simply amazing, especially from all my co-stars, producers, director - it was just very overwhelming. To give your best, you need to build up a comfort level on set, and that is something that everybody helped in developing. It was a learning experience that still continues, there's some work left for which I'll be travelling to India in September.

Sajal Aly on the set of her Bollywood debut Mom.
Sajal Aly on the set of her Bollywood debut Mom.

Images: Did you feel any sort of pressure while shooting alongside Sridevi in the film?

SA: Well, yes, there was a lot of pressure. In fact, my first time scene was with Sridevi ma'am, and before we shot for that, I was very scared, [reserved], frightened, but after we were done with it, I asked her how it went. And she smiled and gave me thumbs up, that was such a warm moment. She made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. She is undoubtedly a living legend and the way she helped me adjust to the surroundings was just incredible.

My family and I are huge fans of hers and we had always seen her look beautiful on screen, but she's one of those very few people who are simply beautiful inside out. I never knew such a huge star could be so humble and down to earth. I can simply go on and on about the journey that I've had with her.

Images: Did you get to meet any of your fans across the border who have seen you on Zee Zindagi?

SA: Yes, I indeed did. I got to meet a lot of my fans in India and they were all praises for our dramas and our content. People used to come up for pictures when I used to be at the mall. Once a Punjabi aunty wanted me to visit her house, and once I was having dinner somewhere when a huge Sikh family came up for pictures. And it felt amazing. It felt like home. Not only the industry, but the people were very warm and welcoming as well. On a whole, it feels great to have a vast market for our serials, and to be able to represent your country in the truest of sense.

Images: What made you sign Mom and what can all of your fans from Pakistan expect from it?

SA: I think the script was the main reason I felt the desire to do this film. The cast was also amazing, I am a fan of Akshaye Khanna and knowing the fact that he is making his comeback with the film, I got even more excited. Apart from this... I have always had certain limitations. I've never wanted to become a showpiece or look glamorous in a rom-com film, even in Pakistan. I only do projects that give me a margin to perform.

And with Bollywood, I wanted to prove myself and tell them that we are capable of a lot more and we know how to represent our country. Mom is also one of those films which I think are more character driven. Everybody has their own bit and importance in the plot. Sridevi, I, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Akshaye Khanna, and Adnan Siddiqui also happens to play a very strong character, and he has done an exceptional job.

Comments

rizwan Aug 31, 2016 12:32pm
Best of Luck!
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Raju Aug 31, 2016 12:40pm
Pakistan artists are really talented and doing well in bollywood , Adnan Sami has already taken the citizenship of india and Fawad Khan also doing well ---- keep it going
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videoonline.pk Aug 31, 2016 01:23pm
Best wishes for your work.
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Sachin Aug 31, 2016 01:26pm
Yes grandparents home..
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Jawad Aug 31, 2016 01:30pm
All the stars from Pakistani being offered bollywood movies where do indian youth go.
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Yousefzai Aug 31, 2016 02:14pm
She is indeed a talented and beautiful actress. Looking forward to Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay.
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Deependra Aug 31, 2016 02:16pm
It's amazing how much India welcomes Pakistanis!
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RUCHIMAH Aug 31, 2016 03:06pm
If you are talented you have no problems in bollywood. Bollywood is very comfortable with pakistani artists and tbey will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable.
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Zara Aug 31, 2016 03:19pm
Of course it would feel like home because it is very similar to Pakistan. We used to be one country. We don't have that many differences.
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Faiza Aug 31, 2016 03:29pm
Best of luck to her. She is a good actress but wonder if she is suitable for the big screen.
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Khanna Aug 31, 2016 04:35pm
@javed Indians are doing all the main leads
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Yousefzai Aug 31, 2016 04:39pm
Sajal Aly, is the perfect example of beauty with brain.
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Rajeev Sharma Aug 31, 2016 04:47pm
@Jawad - Indians are doing the real roles - the lead roles. This is more for India to say that our Bollywood is a global brand. Nothing for you to brag about.
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YhuckThoo Aug 31, 2016 04:53pm
Pakistni actors need Bollywood to prove their talent...so truthful
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Noshin Aug 31, 2016 05:13pm
pretty well
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Awesome Lyrics Aug 31, 2016 05:24pm
@Jawad Bollywood has had stars from all the neighbouring countries, Nepal (Manisha Koirala), Sri Lanka (Jacqueline Fernandez), Pakistan (many), European and erstwhile Russian Federation.
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Yadhunanda Aug 31, 2016 05:30pm
Looking so sexy
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Geet Aug 31, 2016 05:33pm
@Deependra ... You're absolutely Right..!!
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Maestro Aug 31, 2016 05:38pm
The only talent she has is "luck". These days Bollywood is recruiting all Pakistanis whether fit for the job or not.You need not know dance,or you are short, just come in if you are Pakistani. Sajal is a good actress no doubt,but her level of performance is no more than an average actress in an average range of domestic Pakistani drama. Anyway while congratulating Sajal for her lucky entry in India,and expressing best wishes for her Mom,young sister,and naughty brother, use to play cricket in streets raising loud hysterical shouts.
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Aamer Aug 31, 2016 05:42pm
@Jawad if the Indian Youths are talented they will get fare share of Opportunities. Plus its not just the Pakistani actors. Jaquline Fernandaz, Katrina Kaif, Nargis Fakhri are also Foreigners. Plus most of the successful actors are children of celebrities the only outsider who got some success in Bollywood is Kangna.
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RAO Aug 31, 2016 05:55pm
Sooo Beutiful Nd Innocent .. just love ur Eyes
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Geet Aug 31, 2016 06:02pm
I believe Pakistani actors / actress should show their talent in Pakistan .. Because Pakistan need them not any other country. But now a days, all Pakistan taking short cut for popularity... which is totally Wrong...!! Indian actors / actress are not doing like this... then why Pakistan?????
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ankur.... Aug 31, 2016 06:15pm
Respect and love to Pakistanis artist....
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pk Aug 31, 2016 06:35pm
Indian ancient philosophy is " Guest is like our God" . We are just following it. As we Indian do pray daily that All people in the world be Happy and Healthy. We always talk about wellness of human being. That is why India is India. We have tendency to welcome all who are doing well for the society.
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Jawad Aug 31, 2016 06:48pm
@indians......This anil Kapoor and raj Kapoor family is from peshawar both are cousin families, they still attached to their roots and think nice of Pakistan. Bollywood was made popular because of immigrants from Pakistan it's nick name is urdu cinema becuase its heavenly influence by Urdu and Pakistanis actors fit right in. An actor from Pakistan does not need to learn hindi to work in bollywood but Indians have to learn urdu to work in bollywood mostly southern Indians.
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Sat Aug 31, 2016 08:09pm
@Jawad Don't worry, bollywood is much bigger than you think.
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Zak Aug 31, 2016 08:17pm
@Sachin not really. Her home and her great grand fathers home Is Pakistan
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Zak Aug 31, 2016 08:19pm
Ofcourse if they make money off you , they will be nice to you. Same even in Hollywood or Britain.
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selvam Aug 31, 2016 08:20pm
Come to Kolywood. pair with Rajni Kanth .
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brar Aug 31, 2016 08:36pm
Pakistani or Indian she is a good artist and beautiful girls, wish and pray for her,
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Awesome Lyrics Aug 31, 2016 08:42pm
@Zak It's wrong to say "make money off you" they work put in their blood and sweet and make money. Nothing is free, if you are not willing to work no one hires you. In any field.
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Habeeb Aug 31, 2016 08:46pm
We want a unique Pakistani identity and a unique Pakistani cinema.
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Sumit Aug 31, 2016 09:02pm
@Jawad The market of Bollywood movies is too big from Morocco to Bangladesh and then US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand. All talented persons can be accommodated and no one will suffer. Its gain for everyone.
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a Aug 31, 2016 10:14pm
Oh My God, what an ethereal girl !!
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BNA Aug 31, 2016 10:20pm
@Jawad , the contribution of Pak artists in Bollywood is a sort of droplet in a huge ocean that is Bollywood. So read. The Indian youth has plenty of options and not be only either a show boy or girl. Indian economy is growing. Pakistan should be wise to be a partner of this growth
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Truth prevails Sep 01, 2016 12:06am
She is very lucky to learn the lessons from legendary Sridevi!!!
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Faiza Salman Sep 01, 2016 12:55am
The Indian government and ministries should learn from Pakistan's love.
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KS Sep 01, 2016 01:59am
Sajal Aly will have a very bright future in Bollywood!
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Usman Sep 01, 2016 03:59am
Bollywood = white skin you are in
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Dr. Ramesh K Sharmarsharma Sep 01, 2016 05:04am
@Rajeev Sharma This is a inapropriate comment. If you can encourage somebody especial a guest please do, but do not discourage simply because he or she comes from Pakistan.
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Akil Akhtar Sep 01, 2016 05:27am
@Zara We have many differences....
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vijay@India Sep 01, 2016 06:44am
@Zak and where was her great grand parents home at that time ;-)
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manij Sep 01, 2016 07:35am
@Zak because of unemployment they are here
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Vijay Sep 01, 2016 07:49am
@Maestro Your post does not make any sense. Bollywood producers are primarily businessmen who want to make money. These producers will not cast anyone in their films because they are from Pakistan. Please think before you post.
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deepu Sep 01, 2016 09:15am
Beautiful girl, I look forward to watching her movie.
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sachin Sep 01, 2016 11:01am
We lived in same homes, not much long back
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Anil Sep 01, 2016 12:05pm
Awesome. We need a lot more of such inter cultural exchange among people. An Indian brother.
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shepower.pk Sep 01, 2016 01:14pm
Its Lethal when Brain and beauty comes together
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Aamer Sep 01, 2016 01:23pm
@YhuckThoo No; Bollywood needs Pakistani talent because they cant find it in India.
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ZakkuDaku Sep 01, 2016 02:38pm
@Jawad Simple. Hollywood. Haven't you seen Priyanka and Deepika and Freida Pinto and Irrfan Khan. Indians moving to hollywood and Pakistanis are filling the gap and moving to Bollywood. The question to ask really is who will fill the void in Lollywood.
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bpmohapatra Sep 01, 2016 04:00pm
There should be a message that all pakistanis are not bad. Their dramas in tvs are excellent.
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Gnanesh Sep 01, 2016 04:56pm
@Akil Akhtar So, what now ?
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Sd Sep 05, 2016 11:49am
Wish that our boundaries disappear and all should have full right to move, work and settle anywhere in the sub-continent like European Union.
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