Latest news with #DilWaliGaliMein
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Sajal Ali upgrades her accessory game
In an Instagram carousel shared on Friday, Sajal Ali flaunted a silver nose ring with a glimmering stone, which she paired with a casual black sleeveless top and jeans along with a white cap. "It's my nose ring era," she announced. Fans praised the effortless look in the caption, acknowledging just how much the accessory suits Sajal. "You are so elegant, so gorgeous, looking like a true vision of grace and beauty," a fan wrote. "First of all, you have such a cute nose, and a nose ring on top of that?" another gushed. The stream of compliments didn't stop at the nose ring, as some netizens were also mesmerised by the Dil Wali Gali Mein actor's eyes. "Your gorgeous eyes, Sajal," a user simply pointed out. Sajal's expressive eyes did feign confusion in an earlier post, in which she donned her brother's shirt, once again proving how easily casual outfits agree with her. "Stole my brother's shirt, and somehow ended up a Ferrari girl. Not complaining though," she wrote. Where the clothes brought minimal charm, the Kuch Ankahi actor's makeup did the heavy-lifting. She added a touch of glamour to the unsophisticated look with a thin streak of kohl and bold red lipstick. Sajal brings her A-game even when it comes to Eastern ensembles. In a different post, the Ye Dil Mera actor stunned in her "favourite" yellow peshwas. The outfit, called 'Secret Garden', was crafted to give the impression of an obscured lawn blooming under gentle streaks of sunlight. The motif was accentuated by a scatter of floral block print, adding to the idea of hidden blossoms. The breathable malmal made the dress gleam delicately, while the gota finishing sparked a sense of quiet luxury. Stitched with Sindhi embroidery, the top was matched with block-printed dupatta and Dhaka pajama, elevating the ensemble's fluttery quality. Sajal even got the seal of approval from the person who mattered most. "Amma always said yellow suits me the most," she wrote in the caption.
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
No sorrys, no thank-yous
Let's get this out of the way: I live in a joint family. If you do too, you know exactly what that entails. The experience might be too vast to put into words, but worry not, because Durdana from Dil Wali Gali Mein summarised it in one short sentence in Episode 4. Mujji's mother off-handedly yet aptly declared that families don't trade in apologies or gratitude. If you're even slightly aware of how familial relationships work on this side of the world, you might find yourself nodding along to these words of wisdom. Except, anything sounds wise if heard in isolation; it feels ideal, even. But living in a joint family system isn't the piece of cake that an outsider might see it as. That being said, the ending of Dil Wali Gali Mein didn't just draw the curtain on Deeju and Mujji's love story but also brought the overarching theme - the serial's selling point - full circle. Just ask Deeju and Mujji, whose rocky married life promises nothing but the reminder that no village of love is without its faults - a reality that you and I are painfully familiar with. Aside from chronicling a love story for the hopeless romantics to lament over, it tells the tale of you, and I, and all of us combined. Beyond one type of love Unlike Deeju and Mujji, however, you don't have to be married to understand this fly in the ointment, though marriage does become a tempting object to intrude upon. The hurricane blames the butterfly, and all that. Dil Wali Gali Mein shows us what it's like being part of a joint family system. It delineates trouble in paradise, sketching a polyptych of prickly family heads, pestering relatives, and petty grudges. It traces fine lines over a smooth canvas before painting it over and over with bold strokes. It contrives false perfection, just to show you how bitter reality can get. But like those unsaid sorrys and thank-yous, these are not things you are meant to say out loud. Sometimes, you don't even allow yourself to feel them. As a cog in this machine, you're probably not a stranger to pleasing everyone who breathes the same air as you do. There may be times when your home, which for others usually consists of a small family, feels too large for you. It is difficult to evade the feeling when you know you're being observed and sometimes governed by more than just your parents. It makes autonomy conditional. There may be times when you feel you're over-extending yourself, pushing boundaries that are already blurry for you, letting your space be invaded. But you can't help yourself. That's just life for you now, or it has been your life ever since you were born. You're used to indulging your relatives. You enjoy it, even. But you also graciously host resentment, too. You can't help it. The door to your room is wide open and anyone can enter. Anyone at all. The problem, though, is that it's not entitlement if it's coming from a loved one, right? That's just how things are when you're all living under the same roof. Surely, they mean well when they impose restrictions on your lifestyle or make their grudges your problem. Surely, there is a bright side to Deeju being coerced into accepting her in-laws' tutoring business to spare them the pain of hiring new faculty. Surely, the most reasonable way out of these trials is to court patience and be the bigger person. But how long do you wait until that patience turns venomous? A resonating theme Last year, we saw similar patterns in Noor Jahan - a serial that drove the point home by giving the protagonist and the antagonist the same first name. Although this one was a fitting fusion of politics and domestic power, the hearts of the two serials beat with the same rhythm and echo the same message. Noor Jahan made us realise that you don't truly know someone until you start living with them, for better or for worse. Like Noor Bano, you can very easily become a piece on someone else's board, a pawn in someone else's game, until you start playing back. But let fire fight fire, and everything in between catches flames. However, it is likely that your domestic struggles aren't like Noor Bano's guns-blaring life. The common person might not be all that familiar with dangerous land disputes, blood-for-blood revenge, or long-term schemes, but we do understand Sumbul's need to please the only family she knows, we sympathise with how often Safina's swallows her rage, and we feel for Murad's inability to fathom how quickly his own loved ones can change. In the same way, we understand Deeju and Mujji's plight when it comes to navigating a marriage between two families that stopped being on amicable terms with each other long ago. The result? A home of many people and, consequently, many grudges. But cynicism aside, not using the words "sorry" and "thank you" in your household shouldn't always signal conflict. In fact, it shows how quickly conflict is expected to be resolved, that love reigns over half-hearted words and hard feelings. Someone in a different part of the world might not understand what our mini-communities might mean to us, but that hardly matters. Conflict is an unavoidable downside when two people are living together, let alone many more than that. But what also prevails is the nurtured instinct to help one another, to brave the highs and lows in tandem, and to face external conflicts together. The same way that Deeju and Mujji are able to overcome their differences when their families put their contempt aside and intervene to save the marriage. Because sometimes, love isn't simple. Sometimes, it exists in agitating grocery store trips and quarrels over family portraits. Sometimes, it accompanies bedtime stories from your aunt and candy-store hunts with your cousins. Sometimes, it is the noise you return to that distracts you from your personal despair. Sometimes, 'love' is a word too little for a heart large enough to hold your family of many.
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
My beautiful off-screen daughter'
In an Instagram Story shared Monday, Nadia Jamil posted adorable clicks with small-screen peer Sajal Ali. In one photo Nadia held Sajal in a side embrace while in another photo, she kissed the latter's cheek to express her admiration. Nadia made sure to emphasise that her love for Sajal transcends the TV screen. "My beautiful off-screen daughter," she wrote. "I am always so proud of her. She still has a smile that melts the heart and fills it with love. Love you always, [Sajal]." The two shared the screen in 2013 telefilm Behadd, in which they star as the mother and daughter duo, Masooma and Maha. The telefilm also stars Fawad Khan as Jamal Ahmed, an old friend's younger brother who returns to Masooma's life through a chance meeting. While Nadia was last seen in 2024 drama Faraar, Sajal currently stars in the serial Dil Wali Gali Mein opposite Hamza Sohail. In an Instagram post shared earlier this month, Sajal gave us a video compilation of the two's shenanigans on set. From singing impromptu to posing for selfies, the clips saw Hamza in various locations as he indulged Sajal in fun banter. "This is the sixth video you're making," he eventually said. On one occasion, Sajal teased him with an incorrect reference to a previous character. "You look like Farjaad from Burns Road," she said, and Hamza erupted in laughter. The Sirf Tum actor starred in the 2024 serial Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet opposite Iqra Aziz. He, however, played the character of Farhaad in the serial. Farjaad, on the other hand, is Hamza's character in Fairy Tale, which stars Sehar Khan. Rolling out a mock-accent, Hamza stressed, "Excuse me, it's Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet, and it's Farjaad Khan Bahadur." Instead of correcting her mistake, Sajal quipped, "Oh, really? You look like a scaredy cat, not bahadur (brave)."
Express Tribune
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Melodrama with a meal
As a bearer of good tidings and blessings, Ramazan is a month that champions a sense of community. After winding down from a laborious day and a hearty iftaar, it is almost natural to spend just a little more time with your loved ones. And what better way to bond than to turn on a TV serial that everyone enjoys? While you relax after tending to your obligations, a fool-proof way to bring everyone together is by binging a new drama. Here are four shows to look out for during the mellow evenings of your Ramazan. 'Agar Tum Sath Ho' If you're still reeling from the wholesome affair that was Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani's wedding, you might want to tune into this one. Led by a promising cast comprising the newlyweds, Zaviyar Ejaz, and Srha Asgr, the serial points to a spiralling love triangle, driven by a charismatic set of characters. Although an expected tale of romance, the serial slips in conflict in ways that'll have you at the edge of your seat. With a happy-go-lucky personality like Farhan's (Ameer) and the quiet chaos building within Sahir (Zaviyar), one can only wait for things to go wrong. Aside from its overarching theme of romantic love, the drama also focuses on friendship and familial love. Don't take Farhan's jovial nature for granted; he may be self-compromising, but he wouldn't tolerate a word against his loved ones like his disabled sister. But dialing back, Ameer and Mawra's oozing chemistry is an easy bait into getting hooked to Agar Tum Sath Ho. Once you take the first step, many surprises await ahead. 'Dil Wali Gali Mein' Zard Patton Ka Bunn fans would wholeheartedly agree that Sajal Ali and Hamza Sohail are always an anticipated pair when it comes to TV. For Dil Wali Gali Mein, the two play innocent lovers who tie the knot despite the generation-long enmity dividing their families. Despite the tough premise, the serial maintains a comic tone. It opens with a no-nonsense scene at the court where Sajal's Deeju and Hamza's Mujji elope to get married, defying their families' wishes. Only problem is, it doesn't take long for their family members to catch wind of their plans. And thus, chaos ensues. Glittering with a star-studded cast, the serial brims with boisterous characters that know how to land an impression. From hilarious one-liners to unceasing conflict, this serial is your fill for an explosive combination of laughs and tension this month. 'Qubool Hai' Express TV's latest offering is a sitcom, and what better way to bring your loved ones together than a session of unforgettable hilarity? Add a little fourth-wall breach from the narrator, and you have a series that serves your family-friendly entertainment needs well. In case you were wondering how committed the show stays to its title, it informs you from the get-go. With respect to the freshly departed wedding season, Qubool Hai introduces Nausheen Ahmad as a bride, though wishfully so. Nausheen's Laila is a dreamer, and the narrator is intent on telling you that, but she's a reluctant one. Influenced as she is by her widowed yet surprisingly liberal grandmother, the prospect of marriage unnerves her. But don't take her for a timid and frightened woman because she won't hesitate to show you otherwise. Enter Ahmad Hassan's Farhaad, who effectively brings out that headstrong side in her after a fated meet-ugly. After all, this is not just a clash between two individuals but also two cities. Our Lahori hero, who is looking to find a love match despite his family's rigid rules, is stunned when he crosses paths with this Karachiite heroine. Directed by Ahmad and written by Javeria Saud, the tale of drama, comedy, and romance packs a punch. Real-life couple Ahmad and Nausheen elevate the comedy serial through their dynamic pairing, one that fans had long been aching to see on the small screen again. Mix in a variety of characters led by a seasoned cast, and you have a marriage-centered sitcom to light up your TV screen for the coming weeks. 'My Dear Cinderella' If Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet has taught us anything, it's that classic tales of romance never expire and that they are sure to inspire new serials every year. But don't let My Dear Cinderella deceive you, for our lead is the very opposite of the glass slipper-wearing princess. Sana's (Zara Peerzada) life is introduced to us as nothing short of a fairytale. As someone who leads a systematic routine, everything is going according to her plans, until it's not. But when push comes to shove, Sana is not afraid to take a stand for herself, even if that means making a decision that her family might not agree with her. Much like the Disney princess, this Cinderella too was orphaned at a young age, though she doesn't have a fairy godmother to cry to. Instead, in a pleasant twist to the classic story, Sana has not one but two step-mothers that she adores, though her philosophy is rooted in tough love. Raised in a home full of women with the exception of one younger brother, Sana has taken on the responsibility to look after her brother, grandmother, and late father's two wives. Except, like any family head, she is prone to reinforcing her rules on the household. All the same, her family takes her methods with a stride, loving her despite how demanding she can get. After all, she's only looking out for them. Also starring Khaqan Shahnawaz, Juggan Kazim, Tara Mehmood, and Seemi Pasha, the serial has a long way to go before it can become a crowd-pick. However, the unique storyline offers a compelling argument in its favour. After a slew of unhealthy family dynamics on TV, it is refreshing to watch a drama that focuses on a loving step-family.
Express Tribune
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Sajal Ali and Hamza Sohail's banter keeps spirits high
As Sajal Ali and Hamza Sohail continue to steal hearts on the small screen with yet another pair-up, they make sure to keep the chaos alive behind the scenes. In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, Sajal gave us a video compilation of the two's shenanigans on the set of their latest serial, Dil Wali Gali Mein. From singing impromptu to posing for selfies, the clips saw Hamza in various locations as he indulged Sajal in fun banter. "This is the sixth video you're making," he eventually said. On one occasion, Sajal teased him with an incorrect reference to a previous character. "You look like Farjaad from Burns Road ," she said, and Hamza erupted in laughter. The Sirf Tum actor starred in the 2024 serial Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet opposite Iqra Aziz. He, however, played the character of Farhaad in the serial. Farjaad, on the other hand, is Hamza's character in Fairy Tale, which stars Sehar Khan. Rolling out a mock-accent, Hamza stressed, "Excuse me, it's Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet, and it's Farjaad Khan Bahadur." Instead of correcting her mistake, Sajal quipped, "Oh, really? You look like a scaredy cat, not bahadur (brave)." Hamza's fans expressed much gratitude for Sajal in the comments section. "Sajal is giving us what Hamza doesn't," one user wrote. Another user even dubbed the two "real-life Rapunzel and Flynn Rider", while others couldn't get enough of Hamza's accent. But the accent wasn't all that had fans gushing. "Sajal, you should post a full version of Hamza while he's singing," one user wrote, while another remarked, "We're loving Hamza Sohail (Sajal's version)" Meanwhile, the Kuch Ankahi actor's fans were in awe of videography skills. "Sajal is in her vlogging era and we are absolutely not complaining, ma'am. Please keep doing it," one user wrote, while others pleaded to her to launch a YouTube channel. Fans of both artists banded together to express one collective sentiment. "You two are the definition of 'wholesome'," one user wrote, while another said, "This is healing something inside me." Previously, the two actors starred in Zard Patton Ka Bunn, which focuses on the social issues plaguing conservative communities. It follows Meenu (Sajal) and Dr Naufil (Hamza) as they set out to individually make a difference. On this journey, the two leads also end up finding love with each other. Bidding farewell to the serial in an Instagram post in October 2024, Hamza wrote, "Here's to more stories that touch hearts, inspire change, and remind us of the power we have when we choose to stand together. Let's all embrace compassion, and build a world where love is louder than prejudice."
