“We have a plethora of topics being filmed these days for TV and we have the same Ghissi Pitti stories as well”, says Zhalay Sarhadi

Zhalay Sarhadi recently appeared on Applause Pakistan’s 1st Anniversary Cover. She is simply one of the few Pakistani artists who have worked on multiple platforms in the Pakistani entertainment industry. Be it films, dramas, hosting, music or modeling, she has done it all and did it to full perfection. Her ever-evolving illustrious career is full of hit dramas, TV shows and films. Uraan, Aks, Madiha Madiha, Rang Laaga, Digest Writer, Nazo and Yaar Na Bichray among many others are some of her famous dramas. Not only dramas, but Zhalay has also given memorable performances in a number of movies too such as Ramchand Pakistani, Jalaibee, Chalay Thay Sath and the recent one, Carma- The Movie. She played one of the main leads in the 2018 movie Chalay Thay Sath and her performance in the movie also got her a Lux Style Awards nomination.
She made her singing debut in 2019 with the title song of drama ‘Ek Aur Sitam’.
Zhalay is also a strong advocate of women empowerment. She once famously said, “women should be bold and we should stop thinking that we are subservient to men in general. The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world”.
This year, she returned to hosting with a Ramadan Transmission for a private TV channel and has a couple of interesting projects lined up for release. We at Applause Pakistan Magazine sat with the talented artist for an interview during the shoot. The excerpt of the interview is below:

1. You have been around for almost 2 decades as an entertainer in Pakistani media. How do you define your journey in the Pakistani entertainment industry?
ZS: my journey has been very smooth sailing with just a few hiccups. My career is the reason I managed to complete my education, got married and have sustained my lifestyle. It has been nothing short of a blessing.

2. Actor, model, singer or host? What excites you the most and why?
ZS: They all excite me differently. Although Acting has been passion from the get-go.

⁠3. Let’s go back in time and tell us how you got into the media industry in the first place?
ZS: It was inevitable. My paternal side of the family has been a part of the industry in all arenas. We have had film directors and script writers like my Dada Zia Sarhadi and actors and singers like my Chacha and Father Khayyam Sarhadi and Bilal Sarhadi. I was introduced to the business by Sajid Hassan who is a family friend.

4. What according to you are some of the acting roles that you have done that you are very proud of?
ZS: They have been namely in SABZ PARI lal kabootar, Rang laga, Jalebi ( my second film), Carma ( my latest film) and Guru a serial which I was a part of recently.

5. What kind of roles that you haven’t done but you would love to do?
ZS. I would love to play a double role and a person with supernatural abilities. Let’s see when that would be a possibility. Shall manifest it starting now.

6. What is your take on the current Pakistani TV content?
ZS. These are the best of times and the worst of times. We have a plethora of topics being filmed these days and we have the same ghissi pitti stories as well. Since we have various channels opened up and a multitude digital platforms, hence we can pick and choose what we would like to see and what we should stay away from. The choice is endless.

7. Tell us about your recent business ventures? How it all came along?
ZS. I have a skincare line which I developed in collaboration with my cousin and business partner Abeera khan. It is to simplify skincare routine with maximum results and less ingredients . Bare beauty is the name and we are now an award winning brand. It is going very well Mashaallah.

8. What is your take on Ramadan plays?
ZS. I think we overdo a bit dramatically during Ramadan. The plays could be done simplistically but I guess what is being made is what is sale-able.

9. Tell us about your latest role as a host for an Iftari transmission?
ZS. This is my third time hosting such a transmission. The difference this time is that the content is now more elaborate and geared towards social issues and awareness of our religious teaching. I am blessed to be working at such a time when inflation is at its worst. Also hosting is something I started out with and love doing.

10. Last, but not the least how do you feel being the cover girl for Applause’s 1st anniversary edition? And how was the experience of working with the team of Applause Pakistan Magazine ?
ZS: the experience was lovely. I have nothing but good wishes and prayers for this magazine and its success. Congratulations on the first of many anniversaries inshallah.