Sajal Ali isn’t your usual actress. She isn’t wound up in the stars, nor does she see herself as a pivotal diva toplining Pakistani television. Despite the tremendous success that has been slowly brimming the pot for years, 2017 is all about Sajal. She’s catapulted herself to the top of the game with two dramas ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ and ‘O Rungreza,’ where she unfailingly exhibited her acting capability by dipping her toes into two starkly different characters. Sajal’s debut on ‘Mom’ earlier in the year opposite greats Sri Devi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui didn’t go by unnoticed either. She’s proven herself time and time again that she’s one to watch out for.

In an interview with Dawn Images, Sajal stripped down to talk about her life and we digest the quotes you need to know about.

On when her father remarried and how distraught her mother was because of such a drastic turn of events; her mother recently succumbed to cancer

On wanting to become a musician and settle down

On moving from Karachi to Lahore to be closer to her father

On shaadi and how terrifying it can be

On wishing to travel and pursue her studies

On how her character Sassi is by far her most favorite role

On how social media isn’t her forte

On the conventions in Pakistani society that audiences prefer a specific type of female protagonist

On expressing how it’s high time we appreciate all the independent women who define our society

On being blessed with a path of work

…And on how her mother taught her to always remain humble

What did you think of Sajal’s interview?

Interview extracts from Dawn Images