Career beginnings and breakthrough (2012–2016)

In 2012, Ali had a supporting role in the Haissam Hussain directed drama Durr-e-Shehwar, as the younger sister of the eponymous character; it was telecasted on Hum TV.^[13][14][15] Following this, Ali had her first lead role in the adaptation of the novel of the same name, Aik Nayee Cinderella opposite Osman Khalid Butt and Faizan Khawaja. This was her second project directed by Hussain.^[16] Critic Fatima Awan criticised the drama and found it to ''underestimate the taste and sensibility of viewers'', and dismissed Ali's performance.^[17] She then starred in the comedy drama, Aunn Zara once again under the direction of Haissam Hussain. She played the role of Zara, opposite Osman Khalid Butt as his wife.^[18] A critic from Dawn lauded Ali's performance, praising her as a "complete natural" and acknowledging the improvement from her previous drama.^[19]

In 2013, Ali starred in her first project without Hussain in the Fahim Burney-directed Khoya Khoya Chand as Ahmareen alongside Ahsan Khan and Sohai Ali Abro. This marked her fourth project to be written by Faiza Iftikhar.^[20] In her second project of 2013, Ali starred as a possessive sister in Ranjish Hi Sahi.^[21] Critic Fatima Awan praised Ali for her progressively improving performance as the series advanced.^[22] Ali's third and final project of 2013 was the drama, Meri Zindagi Hai Tu directed by Amin Iqbal. The drama marked a reunion with Ahsan Khan and also starred Ayeza Khan. Critic Maaz Ahmed Siddiqui praised Ali's performance stating she was ''absolutely successful'' in portraying her character of Namreen.^[23]

Directed by Waseem Abbas, Ali's role in the 2014 was Geo TV's family drama, Ladoon Mein Pali generally went unnoticed.^[24][25] However, her second release in the social drama series, Shanakht proved to be a significant advancement in her career.^[26] Ali played a devout Muslim woman who faces criticism from her family due to her beliefs.^[27] Critic Zahra Mirza appreciated Ali's change in dialogue delivery. The drama was a major success with both critics and viewers alike.^[28] Ali then went on to star as Saman in Zid alongside Ahsan Khan in which her performance was poorly received.^[29] A critic for Dawn criticised the lack of emotional depth in Ali’s character and found "nothing appealing".^[30] In 2015, Ali worked in Mehreen Jabbar's romantic drama Mera Naam Yousuf Hai which was loosely based on the story "Yusof-o Zulaikhā" (یوسف و زلیخا) by Jami in his book Haft Awrang. She portrayed the role of Zulaikha, alongside Imran Abbas^[31] with Sadaf Siddique appreciating Ali’s "restrained performance".^[32] That same year, she played the role of an estranged granddaughter in the ensemble family drama Diyar-e-Dil, alongside Osman Khalid Butt, Abid Ali, Sanam Saeed, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Hareem Farooq and Ali Rehman Khan. The series was based on the novel of the same name by Farhat Ishtiaq, and was shot at the Khaplu Palace in Gilgit-Baltistan. For her performance in the series, she won the Hum Award for Best Actress Popular and received her first Lux Style Award for Best Actress nomination.^[10][33]

In 2016, Ali made a major breakthrough when starring as Manahil in Mann Mayal along with Hamza Ali Abbasi, Gohar Rasheed and Aisha Khan. The role earned Ali national recognition but despite this, the drama received negative reviews towards it's latter half with some criticising Ali's performance.^[34] Critic Aamna Haider Isani found Ali to "go overboard every now and then" but thought it was "refreshing" to watch "a female protagonist who is boisterous and lively and unafraid to speak her mind".^[35] Ali earned the Lux Style Award for Best Television Actress for her performance. Ali then appeared in the romance Sanam, another Hum TV series, directed by Haseeb Hassan.^[36] Sanam had an ensemble cast, with Osman Khalid Butt^[37] as Harib, her as Aan, and Hareem Farooq as Ayla in leading roles. The story of serial was told in a heavily serialized manner and it follows a love triangle. It revolves around the journey of Harib, a successful businessman, as he discovers the difference between a life partner and a soulmate.^[38] The show was first aired on Hum TV, and was set in Karachi, Sindh. Sanam premiered in Pakistan, UK, USA and UAE with same premier date and timings. Series received generally positive reviews in its premier, however throughout its broadcast it received mixed to negative reviews where viewers and critics declared it as a drag.^[39] mark, despite facing protests and film piracy afterwards.^[40]

Professional expansions and television comeback (2017-present)

In January 2017, she signed Ahsan Rahim's debut romantic action comedy film Teefa in Trouble (2018), as a co-star with Ali Zafar.^[41][42] Pre-production work began in 2016 when Zafar, Rahim and Danyal Zafar wrote the story and screenplay.^[43] Principal photography took place in Lahore and Warsaw between 18 February and 26 July 2017. Ali Zafar also created the music, while the film score was composed by Shani Arshad. The film released on 20 July 2018; it was distributed by Mandviwalla Entertainment and Geo Films nationwide. It is the first non-Indian film which was distributed internationally by Yash Raj Films.^[44] Critical reaction was largely positive and her performance of a Polish born rebellious daughter of a Don was particularly praised. Omair Alavi of Samaa wrote that Ali came as a "breath of fresh air and looks naturally beautiful", however, she "needs to work on her dialogue delivery but here it suited her character".^[45] OyeYeah thought that Ali has the "required energy" for the role and gets the acting, dancing part "right'.^[46] At the time of its release, it was one of the most expensive Pakistani films ever made. Trade journalists had high expectations for the film which ultimately became the third Pakistani film to cross the Rs. 500 million (US$1.7 million) mark, despite facing protests and film piracy afterwards.^[47]

Ali next played the role of a Turkey returned strong willed girl in the romantic comedy film Parey Hut Love (2019), directed by Asim Raza.^[48][49][50] The film, divided into four chapters, tells the story of an aspiring actor (played by Sheheryar Munawar) who falls in love with an already engaged girl (played by Ali).^[51] The film received positive reviews from critics, and Ali was praised for her performance.^[52] Fatima Awan of Reviewit thought that Ali "has given a really solid performance, her dialogue delivery and overall look is right on point."^[53] The Express Tribune took note of her performance and wrote that she "handles her character with maturity; [she] impresses the audience in almost every scene. Besides looking elegant."^[54][55] Parey Hut Love earned over Rs. 300 million (US$1.0 million) to emerge as one of the highest-grossing Pakistani films.^[56] At the annual Lux Style Awards, she received two Best Actress nominations.^[57]

Ali made her comeback on television after five years in 2021, where she starred in the romantic Pehli Si Muhabbat; it marked her second collaboration with Sheheryar Munawar and fifth with Faiza Iftikhar. Directed by Anjum Shahzad, Pehli Si Muhabbat was acclaimed by the critics for its execution while criticized for the pacing, performances, screenplay and eventually became a major failures of 2021.^[58] Ali's performance listed in the worst performances of 2021 by Reviewit.pk.^[59] Wrote, "She fell from the expectations of the viewers. Her crying only gave headaches to the spectators and nothing else".^[60]

Later that year, Ali appeared as Sonia in historical drama Jo Bichar Gaye, which was based on true events from the Independence of Bangladesh and subsequent 1971 Indo-Pak War including the Fall of Dhaka, in her fourth collaboration with Haissam Hussain. The serial was criticality acclaimed but was a flop in terms of ratings.^[61][62]

She then signed her next project with Hum TV after six years last worked in Sanam which was failed to impress the audience. Ali portrayed a straightforward American returnee Kaneez Fatima in Yunhi opposite Bilal Ashraf in his television debut. It received mixed reviews from critics and audience.^[63]

Ali will next be seen in Pakistan's first Netflix Original Series, Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo which is an official adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq’s bestselling 2013 Urdu-language novel of the same name. However, there is no information on the depth of her role.^[64][65]

Films

Television