Ali Kazmi

Ali Arsalan Kazmi (; born 31 October 1981) is a Pakistani-Canadian actor, director and producer.

He appears in English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi language films and television series.

Apart from acting he has also worked as a host, director, producer and model.

Early life and career Kazmi was born to the actor Rahat Kazmi and Sahira Kazmi (née Ansari), a well-known TV director, producer and actress who's herself the daughter of the late Indian film actor Shyam, on 31 October 1981 in Karachi, Pakistan. He began his career as a child actor in 1995 TV series Zikr Hai Kai Saal Ka on PTV Home and then continued playing supporting or minor roles in television which includes Manzil (2006). By the age of 14, he was a model, dancer and professional actor.

In 2015, he starred in two commercially successful films, Rohit Jugraj Chauhan's Sardaar Ji (2015) and Deepa Mehta's Beeba Boys (2015) with Sarah Allen, Randeep Hooda and Gulshan Grover. Kazmi has also appeared in the short film Coffee at Laundromat (2015) for which he has won Best Actor in a Short Film award at the World Music & Independent Film Festival 2016.

He also appeared in Liam Neeson's short-lived TV series Taken (2016). "I play Marzoki, a fast talking, sharp, quirky analyst", said Kazmi in an interview regarding Taken. He appeared in Mehreen Jabbar's Dobara Phir Se (2016) and the animated film The Breadwinner (2017) produced by Angelina Jolie.

Ali was also signed to appear in Ajay Devgan's Shivaay. But due to not getting permission to shoot in Canada where Kazmi is based, some changes were made in the script and his role was removed. He then played the role of Abid in Tu Ishq Hai.

Kazmi's project Umro Ayyar-A New Beginning was expected to be released in 2022, but ultimately released in 2024, directed by Azfar Jafri under the banner of VR Chili Production. Umro Ayyar is an action thriller movie based on the revival of Persian legend of 90's. The other cast of Umro Ayyar is Usman Mukhtar, Sanam Saeed, Faran Tahir, Adnan Siddiqui & more.

Personal life Kazmi married his high school sweetheart Alizeh Khorasanee, whom he knew since the age of 12. They married in Karachi and settled in Toronto. They have two sons.

Kazmi speaks English, Urdu, Punjabi, Persian, Pashto, basic French and Arabic.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2009 A Message from the East Iqbal Documentary 2010 The Strip Mall Rav 2011 You Got Served: Beat the World Dancer 2013 Cold Ali Short film 2014 The Dependables Raazaq Americanistan Mutaween #1 Short film Bang Bang Baby - - Assistant art director 2015 Sardaar Ji Bilal Chaudry Beeba Boys Guri Jawani Phir Nahi Ani Dr.Aamir Liaquat Cameo appearance 2016 Coffee at Laundromart Raj Short film Dobara Phir Se Vassay 2017 The Breadwinner Cousin, Fruit Seller, Market Voices Voice role 2018 Motorcycle Girl Zafar Altered SkinNasir 2019 Laal Kabootar Noman Malik Baaji Rammy Superstar Shaan Heer Maan Ja Haider Cameo appearance 2020 Funny Boy Chelva 2022 Ishrat Made in China Shamshad / Chun Dual role 2023 The Queen of My Dreams Zahid 2024 Umro Ayyar - A New Beginning Maaz

Television

Web series

Producer Under the banner of Big Bang Entertainment.

2013: Meri Beti - ARY Digital 2014: Koi Nahi Apna - Ary Digital 2014: Dusri Bivi - ARY Digital 2014: Bahu Begum - ARY Digital 2014: Soutan - ARY Digital 2015: Rang Laaga - ARY Digital 2015: Mere Jeevan Saathi - ARY Digital 2015: Begunaah - ARY Digital 2016: Be Aib - Urdu 1 2016: Yeh Ishq - ARY Digital 2016: Waada - ARY Digital 2016: Muqabil - ARY Digital 2016: Be Qasoor - ARY Digital 2016: Andaaz-e-Sitam - Urdu 1 2016: Haya Ke Rang - ARY Zindagi 2016: Naimat - ARY Digital 2016: Tum Yaad Aaye - ARY Digital 2016: Aap Ke Liye - ARY Digital 2016: Saheliyan - ARY Digital 2016: Mere Baba ki Ounchi Haveli - ARY Zindagi 2016: Teri Chah Mein - ARY Digital 2016: Mera Yaar Miladay - ARY Digital 2016: Socha Na Tha - ARY Digital 2016: Dil Haari - ARY Digital 2016: Shehzada Saleem - ARY Digital 2017: Mubarak Ho Beti Hui Hai - ARY Digital 2017: Zaakham - ARY Digital 2017: Bilqees Urf Bitto - Urdu 1 2017: Bachay Baraye Farokht - Urdu 1 2017: Teri Raza - ARY Digital 2017: Aisi Hai Tanhai - ARY Digital 2018: Meri Guriya - ARY Digital 2018: Nibah - ARY Digital 2018: Babban Khala Ki Betiyan - ARY Digital 2018: Badbakhti - ARY Zindagi 2018: Balaa - ARY Digital 2018: Khudparast - ARY Digital 2018: Visaal - ARY Digital 2019: Cheekh - ARY Digital 2019: Bandish - ARY Digital

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2013 Splinter Cell: Blacklist Hindi Soldier 1 (voice) 2014 Far Cry 4 Kaalinag, Bomb Maker, Monk, Rebel Soldiers (voice) 2016 Far Cry Primal (voice)

Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2009 The Indian Wants the Bronx Gupta Fringe theatre 2023 Behind the Moon Ayub Tarragon Theatre

Awards

Best Actor in a Short Film at World Music & Independent Film Festival