Ali Arsalan Kazmi (Urdu: علی کاظمی; born 31 October 1981), is a Pakistani-Canadian actor, director and producer.
Ali Kazmi | |
|---|---|
 Kazmi at the 2024 WonderCon | |
| Born | 31 October 1981 |
| Education | Toronto Film School |
| Alma mater | The Lyceum School |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, director, producer |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Spouse |
Alizeh Khorasanee (m. 2007) |
| Parent(s) | Rahat Kazmi Sahira Kazmi |
| Relatives | Shyam (grandfather) |
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.[1]
Early life and career
editKazmi was born to the actor Rahat Kazmi and Sahira Kazmi (née Ansari), a well-known TV director, producer and actress[2] who's herself the daughter of the late Indian film actor Shyam,[3] 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).[4] After completing his studies from Karachi, he moved to Canada and began acting and modeling there by appearing in TV series, commercials and plays. He also worked at China Syndrome Productions as a director and producer. One of his initial major roles was as a villain in the film The Dependables (2014). He also played a negative role in Mehreen Jabbar's Jackson Heights which gave him more popularity in Pakistan.[5]
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.[6] 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.[7][8]
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.[9][10] He appeared in Mehreen Jabbar's Dobara Phir Se (2016) and the animated film The Breadwinner (2017) produced by Angelina Jolie.[11]
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.[12][13] He is currently playing the role of Abid in Tu Ishq Hai.[14]
Kazmi's upcoming project is Umro Ayyar-A New Beginning is expected to be released in 2022 , 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
editKazmi 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.[15]
Kazmi speaks English, Urdu, Punjabi, Persian, Pashto, basic French and Arabic.[16]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| 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 | |
| 2014 | Americanistan | Mutaween #1 | Short film |
| 2014 | Bang Bang Baby | - - | Assistant art director |
| 2015 | Sardaar Ji | Bilal Chaudry | |
| 2015 | Beeba Boys | Guri | |
| 2015 | Jawani Phir Nahi Ani | Dr.Aamir Liaquat | Cameo appearance |
| 2016 | Coffee at Laundromart | Raj | Short film |
| 2016 | Dobara Phir Se | Vassay | |
| 2017 | The Breadwinner | Cousin, Fruit Seller, Market Voices | Voice role |
| 2018 | Motorcycle Girl | Zafar | |
| 2018 | Altered Skin | Nasir | |
| 2019 | Laal Kabootar | Noman Malik | |
| 2019 | Baaji | Rammy | |
| 2019 | Superstar | Shaan | [17] |
| 2019 | Heer Maan Ja | Haider | Cameo appearance[18] |
| 2020 | Funny Boy | Chelva | |
| 2022 | Ishrat Made in China | Shamshad / Chun | Dual role[19] |
| 2023 | The Queen of My Dreams | Zahid | |
| 2024 | Umro Ayyar - A New Beginning | Maaz | [20] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Dhoop Kinare[21] | Dr.Ahmar's childhood | PTV Home |
| 1995 | Zikr Hai Kai Saal Ka | Suhail | PTV Home |
| 2006 | Manzil | Shabi | ARY Digital |
| 2009 | The Border | CBC Television | |
| 2011 | Skins | Abbud's uncle | MTV |
| 2011 | Alphas | Internist | Syfy |
| 2011 | Combat Hospital | Chaplain David Nedayal | Global, ABC |
| 2011 | InSecurity | Nigel | CBC |
| 2011 | Covert Affairs | Restorer | USA Network |
| 2012 | King | Sunil Sharma | Showcase |
| 2013 | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Doctor | Much |
| 2014 | Jackson Heights | Sikander | Urdu 1 |
| 2015 | Aik Aur Aik Gyarah | Man at the garage | Hum TV |
| 2015 | Sehra Main Safar | Ayaz | Hum TV |
| 2016 | Rogue | Ali Zaid | Audience Network |
| 2016 | Taken | Marzoki | NBC |
| 2017 | Baaghi | Abid | Urdu 1 |
| 2017 | Moray Saiyaan | Altamash | ARY Digital |
| 2017 | Badnaam | Afraz | ARY Digital |
| 2018 | Tu Ishq Hai | Affan | Hum TV |
| 2019 | Jaal | Arsal | Hum TV |
Web series
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Designated Survivor | Rami Bashir | Cameo appearance in Episode 17 of Season 2[22] |
Producer
editUnder 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
edit| 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
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Indian Wants the Bronx[9] | Gupta | Fringe theatre |
| 2023 | Behind the Moon | Ayub | Tarragon Theatre |
Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ali Kazmi | Best Actor in a Short Film at World Music & Independent Film Festival[8][7] | Won |
References
edit- ^ Ahmad, Fouzia Nasir (21 June 2015). "First person: To newer 'heights'". Dawn. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ The portrait of a lady
- ^ Actor Shyam (1920-1951) who died very young
- ^ Ahmed, Ishtiaq (3 November 2013). "An evening with actor Shyam's family". Daily Times. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ Zehra, Syeda (19 June 2015). Rahman, Mir Javed; Hussain, Muhammad Rahat (eds.). "Ali Kazmi – A Powerhouse of Talent". Mag The Weekly. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ "Ali Kazmi only gets meaner in Deepa Mehta's Beeba Boys". Dawn. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ a b Shiraz Alwani, Sumaira (7 April 2016). "Pakistani Actor Ali Kazmi to Star In 'Taken Movie' TV Prequel". Brandsynario. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ^ a b "2016 Partial Nominee List". World Music & Independent Film Festival. Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ a b Saeed, Mehek (7 May 2016). "Actor Ali Kazmi shooting with 'Game of Thrones' director". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ "Liam Neeson's Taken gets a TV prequel, and it stars Ali Kazmi". Dawn Images. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ Sarym, Ahmed (15 April 2016). "All that Ali Kazmi is up to this year!". HIP. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ Sarym, Ahmed (4 August 2016). "Ali Kazmi no longer a part of Ajay Devgan's Shivaay?". HIP. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ Images Staff (7 August 2016). "Ali Kazmi will no longer be appearing in Ajay Devgan's directorial debut flick". Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- ^ "Ali Kazmi and Saba Qamar pair up for drama serial Baaghi". The News. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ Bukhari, Sanober (19 November 2015). "Up Close with Actor, Dad, Ali Kazmi". masalamommas. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ RISING STAR: CANADIAN ARTISTE ALI KAZMI SOARS AND SHINES
- ^ Majeed, Ozair (1 April 2019). "HIP Exclusive: Ali Kazmi Kickstarts Shooting for Superstar!". HIP. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "Makers of 'Heer Maan Ja' release its first trailer". Daily Times. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "Ishrat Made in China's first teaser is finally here". Images by Dawn. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Umro Ayyar: Usman Mukhtar revives the Persian legend of magic, adventure". Geo News. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ Rehman, Maliha (26 August 2019). "Ali Kazmi hasn't even scratched the surface of his stardom yet". Images. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ^ Rehman, Maliha (26 August 2019). "Ali Kazmi hasn't even scratched the surface of his stardom yet". Images. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
