Sajal Aly to play lead role in series based on novel Umrao Jaan Ada

KARACHI: When it comes to her craft, there really is no stopping Sajal Aly. Currently starring in the highly entertaining drama Kuch Ankahi with her first English language film What's Love Got To Do With It? released just this week, the actor was also recently named amongst Eastern Eye’s 30 under 30 Asians in the world of entertainment. There is no doubting that Aly deserves all the success that comes her way. With so much already happening, Sajal Aly is also reportedly set to play the lead role in a web series based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada.

According to Variety, the latest adaptation of the classic by Mirza Hadi Ruswa will be in Urdu. Abu Dhabi-based South Asian celebrity management agency Action Consultancy is packaging and producing the project. Hamid Hussain and Muhammad Yaqoob are the producers.

Hussain told Variety that the series adaptation relies “heavily on the original Urdu version of the novel, unlike the film adaptations that had taken creative liberties to fit the story into a film narrative,” adding, “there is a lot in the novel that has never been shown in an audiovisual project.” The series will also feature a second strong female lead from the novel, about which details are yet to be revealed. It was also reported that the project is currently in development and is expected to head to a major streamer.