Known for her measured choices and commanding screen presence, Sarwat Gilani has consistently stood out for the quality of projects she chooses to associate with. Recently Gilani appeared on a podcast titled, "What's Really Wrong With Pakistan's Entertainment Industry?" where she addressed chronic industry issues.

Reflecting on her absence from the screen, Gilani said, “I feel for the girls when I read a story. I always want to pick narratives that feature female empowerment, break gender stereotypes and show you how to fight for what’s rightfully yours.” She added, “The kind of dramas that were being created in Pakistan while I worked were very regressive. I was sick of looking at the damsel in distress on screen.” 

The actor chose to dodge plenty of opportunities in search of quality of scripts, “I always need to strongly connect with the script and tell newer and more uplifting stories. Because of this I started rejecting roles that came my way and eventually people stopped offering.”

Upon her departure from acting, Gilani clarified that she was content with the direction her life took, “I was okay with not getting offers anymore. I moved on from acting and got involved in activism and philanthropy instead. I became part of a non-profit that ran olympics for special children every year and it was very fulfilling.”