In a world where celebrity friendships are often measured by selfies and red carpet appearances, Zhalay Sarhadi’s recent revelation stands as a rare example of quiet, heartfelt solidarity. During a candid interview with a local channel, Zhalay opened up about a deeply emotional chapter in her life — the loss of her father — and the unexpected presence of someone she barely knew at the time: Urwa Hocane.
“Generally speaking, I am a very friendly person,” Zhalay shared, her voice calm but reflective. “But I don’t like to share details of my personal life. I’m a good listener but I speak very little of my own life.”
Her grief was deeply personal, and few knew what she was going through. “Only a few people who were working with me knew of my father’s demise,” she explained. That’s when Urwa entered the picture — quietly, compassionately.
Despite having worked together only once on the 2013 drama Aik Pagal Si Larki, Urwa chose to be there for Zhalay in her time of need. “Urwa was living in a rented house and driving a rented car,” Zhalay recalled. “She stayed with me for two days and I had no idea what she was going through. I’ll never forget that.”
The gesture was simple, but deeply meaningful. “This is a very rare quality,” Zhalay continued. “My friends were with me, but I had only done one serial with Urwa. Despite that, she decided to be there for me. One always remembers these things.”
Aik Pagal Si Larki, which aired in 2013, was directed by Saife Hassan and starred Zhalay, Urwa, Arij Fatyma, and Azfar Rehman. The drama, though rooted in familiar tropes of friendship and betrayal, was notable for its unflinching portrayal of mental health and emotional struggles — themes that echo in Zhalay’s real-life story.
Zhalay has been refreshingly honest about her own challenges. On Frieha Altaf’s podcast last year, she opened up about her struggles with body image and mental health. “I had body dysmorphia,” she revealed, recalling how she went from a 42-inch waist at 14 to a 24-inch waist in just three months to pursue modeling. “I had anorexia, I used to faint everywhere,” she admitted.
Zhalay’s openness, combined with Urwa’s quiet empathy, paints a picture of humanity that transcends on-screen glitz. In a cutthroat industry where appearances can be deceiving, it’s moments like these that remind us of the depth behind the faces we see on screen.
