Sachal Afzal, whom we are currently seeing as Asif in Leader, has quietly dominated our feeds all at once. Today, we sat down with him to talk a little about his journey and more. Keep reading on.
Sachal Afzal is a fashion model and actor who has recently come into the spotlight through several projects such as Bakhtawar, Wabaal, Mannat Murad, and more. He is now embodying Asif on screen in Leader, and as much as we support Mansoor in the drama, there is no doubt that Asif has also captured audiences’ hearts. The credit goes, of course, to Sachal Afzal. We got the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about his journey, the drama, his thoughts, and more.
Get a sneak peek into the conversation below!
This article is an excerpt from the YouTube interview!
How Did Asif From Leader Happen? — Sachal Afzal Gets Candid About The Character and His Process
When we sat down with Sachal Afzal, we were curious about one thing in particular — how exactly did Asif from Leader come to life?
Turns out, Sachal connected with the role almost instantly. “The script came from the production,” he told us. “When I read it and saw the character, I liked the fact that he had a direct influence on the story. It felt meaningful, and I thought people would remember him.”
And honestly, they definitely have. Even though audiences are deeply invested in Mansoor’s journey, Asif has quietly become one of the most loved characters in the drama. According to Sachal, that was intentional from the very beginning.
“I didn’t want to make him feel too negative,” he shared. “Even while performing, I kept Asif lovable.”
One thing he particularly enjoyed was the relationship between Asif and Rubab. “Our scenes and dialogues were written beautifully,” he said. “Their bond felt very natural to me.” While the story later unfolds in unexpected ways, Sachal explained that, in his mind, Asif’s emotions always came from a genuine place.
“I always understood him as someone whose feelings were real,” he said. “That’s how I approached the character throughout.”
Sachal Afzal on Craft, Growth, and Learning to Navigate the Industry
While talking to Sachal Afzal, we couldn’t help but point out how much he has evolved as an actor over the years. From his earlier projects to performances in Ishq Di Chashni and now Leader, there’s a visible difference in his craft, confidence, and screen presence.
And honestly? He agrees that growth has happened naturally over time.
“I think as an actor grows older, things slowly become part of him,” he shared. “You don’t even realize when certain things become part of your flow in acting.”
According to him, one of the biggest changes has been the way he now understands characters. “I started reading characters differently,” he said. “You begin visualizing scenes and emotions in your head and realize that maybe this moment can be done in another way.”
But he also credits directors for helping shape his performances. “For me, getting confidence from the director is very important,” he explained. “Smart directors don’t force you into one thing. They understand your abilities and guide you in a way that makes the performance better.”
And then the conversation shifted beyond acting. Off camera, Sachal had mentioned how differently he viewed the entertainment industry when he first entered it — especially fame and celebrity culture.
“I used to think actors just enjoy life,” he laughed. “They come on TV, people love them, they become famous.”
But over time, his perspective changed completely. “When I started acting, I realized how difficult the work actually is,” he shared. “If someone is working 10 to 12 hours on set, dealing with different people all day, and still staying kind to everyone — that says a lot about them as a person.”
Sachal also opened up about being naturally introverted and someone who tends to absorb emotions deeply. “I used to take things personally,” he admitted. “If someone spoke harshly or casually, it would stay with me.”
But experience eventually taught him an important lesson — professionalism. “Now I’ve realized that everyone has their own style, their own stress, their own life,” he explained. “You can’t expect everyone to behave according to your emotions.”
Over time, he says, he has learned how to separate emotions from the job — something he believes every actor eventually understands.
“Marriage Isn’t Just Between Two People” — Sachal Afzal Gets Real About Relationships, Family, and Men Expressing Emotions
During our conversation with Sachal Afzal, we shifted gears a little and asked him something more personal — what does he think truly matters in a marriage?
Sachal had a surprisingly thoughtful take on relationships and what actually makes them work long-term. “I think the bond between the two families should be strong,” he explained. “Marriage is not just between a boy and a girl. It’s an attachment of two families.”
According to him, family dynamics become especially important during difficult phases in a relationship. “At some point, every couple faces ego issues or personality clashes,” he said. “That’s where families play a huge role. If the families aren’t close or understanding, the couple suffers.”
For Sachal, respect is another non-negotiable element. “There should always be respect,” he shared. “And I think a man should try to treat his wife even better than how she was treated at home. That’s very important.”
Sachal admitted that while society is evolving, men still struggle when it comes to expressing vulnerability. “A man also suffers,” he said honestly. “He also feels hurt. He also wants to cry.” But according to him, men often grow up feeling conflicted about showing emotions.
“If you cry, people think you’re weak,” he explained. “And if you hide your emotions and become angry instead, then you’re called rude or ill-mannered.”
One thing he believes helps men emotionally is friendship.
“Friends play a very important role in a man’s life,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t even need advice. You just need someone who listens.”
At the same time, Sachal also spoke about the pressure men often feel to appear “fine” all the time — especially in front of the people they love. Still, he acknowledged that things are slowly changing and newer relationships are becoming emotionally more open and accepting.
Want to hear more? Stay tuned for full interview coming out soon on FUCHSIA’s YouTube channel!
