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| Sajal Ali: 'It was a surprise for me when I found out that Jemima Khan liked my work' |
There was a time when Pakistani dramas were something else. Unique, close to reality, stories that touch both heart and mind, innovative, strong, and interesting characters, especially the best dialogues by women and direction and acting such that Ugh!
Even today people remember dramas like Isolation, Dhoop Kangar, and Unkehi and these are the Pakistani dramas that I grew up watching not in Pakistan but in Indian-ruled Kashmir.
Now obviously PTV was not on TV in Srinagar and the internet and YouTube was unimaginable at that time but video cassettes of Pakistani dramas were in vogue.
Well, the point of telling you all this, along with admitting my old age, was that once upon a time, I too was a fan of Pakistani dramas.
Pakistani dramas are obviously still being made, they are popular, and they have as many fans even today, but now Pakistani dramas are also highly criticized.
Often it seems that interesting stories have been replaced by mother-in-law-type storylines. Women are either the epitome of patience, sacrifice, and tears or evil and evil.
Despite all this, recently some dramas have started airing in which women have strong and courageous roles apart from Saas-Bahu Farlula.
Is this a deliberate decision by the actors and writers to portray women more realistically? And how difficult is it for an actress to find and play positive and strong roles in such an environment?
When I met Sajal Ali a few days ago, I asked him the same question.
Harassment has been given the name of love in many projects.
If you watch Pakistani dramas then you must be a fan of Sajal Ali too.
When I put this question before Sajal Ali that how difficult it is to find positive and different roles in today's era, he said that there are some people, me, Saba (Qamar). If I speak only for myself, we have to fight, we have to forbid, and we have to say no to many projects.
"Still, if you look, there are many projects where harassment is given the name of love and in the end, the girl falls in love with the harassing boy. Unfortunately, such projects are seen a lot, but I think TV has the power to change the mindset of people and our battle is on.
Sajal Ali told us that he turned down several projects because 'I can't see a woman struggling, crying, and weak. Except, if a character's journey is shown but starts with a slap and ends with him forgiving the slapper, I personally don't believe in that, so I don't want to be a part of such projects. Wants and I am fighting for it and will always fight.'
It was a surprise when I found out that Jemima Khan liked the work.
When we met, Sajal Ali was in London for her new film 'What's Love Got To Do With It'.
This is the same film written and produced by Jemima Khan. Along with Sajal Ali, Hollywood stars Emma Thompson and Lily James, Indian actress Shabana Azmi played lead roles in the film.
I asked Sajal how he was selected for this project.
He said, "I was told about this by my international projects agent and told to record an audition for it." I said ok, so they sent me two scenes to record and I thought about where the selection will be.
You might be surprised to know that even a successful and popular actress like Sajal Ali often falls victim to impostor syndrome i.e. a condition in which you feel that your potential is less than your actual success.
Sajal said that it was a surprise for him when he was told after the audition that directors Shikhar Kapoor and Jemima Khan liked his work.
Because I don't think I can do anything great myself! So I get a lot of things as a surprise.
Sajal says that I am like that. I think where this will happen and then that thing happens.
Sajal also said that this, and other similar projects, will open doors for other actors from Pakistan.
Sajal made okra, achari meat and dal for Shabana Azmi
Now, whatever Sajal Ali thinks about herself, we know her as a great and popular actress but did you know that she also cooks really well?
During the shooting of this film in London, he cooked okra, achari gosh, and khati dal for Shabana Azmi at her house.
Sajal says that it was the time of severe covid. I was alone in the hotel. Shabana ji said no, you come and stay at my house. So I went to their house and cooked with them all day. Shekhar Sir also came, and Shahzad Latif also came. We ate together. Then I played Pakistani songs all night. The next day he cooked breakfast for me. He took great care of me. I will never forget that night and day.
About his first meeting with Shabana Azmi on the set, Sajal said, 'I was scared, scared that today is the day when I have to meet Shabana ji, to meet Emma Thompson, but that first meeting was my Shabana ji. was with, he said, 'Aslam Alaikum, I was watching your drama at night, so they made it so easy for me.'
We think from a distance that we don't know how it will be, but some really great people, they are not like that, they are very normal.'