On carving her own path through entertainment, entrepreneurship,
and advocacy.

For more than two decades, Zhalay Sarhadi has remained a distinctive presence in Pakistan’s entertainment landscape — an artist known not only for her versatility on screen but also for her courage to embrace causes beyond the realm of showbiz. From acting and hosting to entrepreneurship and advocacy, she has built a journey defined by authenticity, resilience, and a desire to create meaningful impact.

While many know her as a talented performer, Zhalay’s identity extends far beyond her acting career. A passionate advocate for animal rights, she has consistently used her platform to raise awareness about compassion, responsibility, and the need for stronger protections for animals. For her, activism is not a separate role but an extension of who she is.

Her entrepreneurial ventures, including co-founding a skincare brand Bare Beauty and a digital media solution Hype Media, reflect her ability to recognise evolving consumer needs and adapt to a changing digital landscape. Through the former, she aims to offer inclusive, cruelty-free skincare designed with diverse skin tones in mind, while the latter represents her understanding of the growing influence of digital platforms.

Choosing projects carefully and embracing life’s many dimensions, Zhalay believes in staying true to herself rather than being defined by a single title.

In a candid conversation with MAG, she opens up about her career journey, the challenges of speaking up, entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and the values that continue to shape her path. Excerpts:

SK: You have successfully balanced acting, hosting, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. Which role feels most authentic to you today, and why?
ZS: To me, being true to myself is the most important thing. I don’t do anything half-heartedly. Whether it is work or activism, they are all my personality traits and cannot be mutually exclusive in today’s day and age, especially as a recognisable face and celebrity.

SK: You've been one of the most vocal celebrities when it comes to animal welfare and animal rights. What first sparked your passion for this cause, and what changes would you like to see in Pakistan regarding animal protection?
ZS: We are a family of pet owners. This comes from my mother’s side. She instilled the love of nature and animals in us (my sister and myself) so it’s second nature to us. To me, it is unfathomable to treat animals any differently than children. Their rights need to be advocated and ensured. Laws should be implemented to safeguard their safety, health and rehabilitation. This is the only way forward.

SK: Social media often amplifies important causes but can also attract criticism. Have you ever faced backlash for speaking up about issues you strongly believe in, and how do you handle it?
ZS: I face critique every day. There is always someone who disagrees with what I stand for or the opinions on certain matters I hold. If the criticism is productive, I take notes, but mostly it’s just hate so who wants to delve in that? I surely don’t.

SK: As the co-founder of Bare Beauty, what gap did you see in the beauty and skincare market that inspired you to launch the brand?
ZS: My cousin and I are big skincare connoisseurs. We saw that international brands cater to their own ethnicity and are mostly not brown skin-friendly or geared towards people with melanin. Hence, Bare Beauty was born.

SK: The beauty industry is evolving rapidly, with consumers becoming more conscious about ingredients, sustainability, and ethical practices. How is Bare Beauty adapting to these changing expectations?
ZS: I can say this proudly and confidently that we are a cruelty-free brand. Our ingredients are suitable for all skin types. Our skincare is fragrance-free hence, also free of allergens. We have recyclable packaging so [the products are] environment friendly.

SK: You also co-founded Hype Media, social media agency. What inspired you to step into the business side of the digital world, and what have been the biggest lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?
ZS: This is the digital age therefore, one has to move with the times. Also, we started during Covid so being mostly online was a factor in founding a digital company that helps people and businesses with their digital needs. Being an entrepreneur has taught me to deal with people of all sorts and to be patient with the fluctuation of the market.

SK: Your YouTube channel, Zhalay Talks, tackled health and social issues while also featuring conversations with fellow artists. What motivated you to start the platform, and do you have plans to revive it in the future?
ZS: The name says it all; I wanted to share the side of artists that people rarely get to see otherwise. And yes, I would love to get back on to the tube soon but with newer, fresher ideas.

SK: Many celebrities avoid discussing social issues publicly, but you've consistently used your platform to raise awareness. Do you believe public figures have a responsibility to speak up, or should it remain a personal choice?
ZS: We, the artists, are influential in many ways. Why should we not do it for the benefit of society in general? I believe it is incumbent upon people with a platform to use it responsibly and to give back to society in whatever capacity they can.

SK: Looking back at your journey in the entertainment industry, what has been the most defining moment of your career so far?
ZS: My next project. I never hang on to what I have done previously. I enjoy the process.

SK: We don't see you on the screen that often. Is that a deliberate decision?
ZS: I believe I am on the screen enough, but yes, I have the privilege to pick and choose my projects.

SK: What are some common misconceptions people have about Zhalay Sarhadi that you'd like to set the record straight on?
ZS: My first impression is always of someone who isn’t approachable, which is quite contrary to who I am in reality.

SK: Between acting projects, business ventures, advocacy work, and personal commitments, what's next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or goals you're particularly excited about?
ZS: Yes, always! Anything new excites me. There is a song coming out, you will have to wait for it.

• Designer: Iqra Furqan, Ashberi @ashberi store
• Footwear: Kolhart
• Stylist: Muhammad Ahmad
• Photography: Ibad Alam @ibad.aalam, Sadat Ali @sadataliclicks