Ali Kazmi
Canadian actor of Pakistani descent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 |
| Occupations | 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
Kazmi 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] By the age of 14, he was a model, dancer and professional actor.[5]
After completing his studies from Karachi, he moved to Toronto, Canada in 2008 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.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8][9]
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.[10][11] He appeared in Mehreen Jabbar's Dobara Phir Se (2016) and the animated film The Breadwinner (2017) produced by Angelina Jolie.[12]
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.[13][14] He then played the role of Abid in Tu Ishq Hai.[15]
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
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 Skin | Nasir | ||
| 2019 | Laal Kabootar | Noman Malik | |
| Baaji | Rammy | ||
| Superstar | Shaan | [17] | |
| 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
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Dhoop Kinare[21] | Dr.Ahmar's childhood | PTV Home |
| 1995 | Zikr Hai Kai Saal Ka | Suhail | |
| 2006 | Manzil | Shabi | ARY Digital |
| 2009 | The Border | CBC | |
| 2011 | Skins | Abbud's uncle | MTV |
| Alphas | Internist | Syfy | |
| Combat Hospital | Chaplain David Nedayal | Global & ABC | |
| InSecurity | Nigel | BC | |
| 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 |
| Sehra Main Safar | Ayaz | ||
| 2016 | Rogue | Ali Zaid | Audience Network |
| Taken | Marzoki | NBC | |
| 2017 | Baaghi | Abid | Urdu 1 |
| Moray Saiyaan | Altamash | ARY Digital | |
| Badnaam | Afraz | ||
| 2018 | Tu Ishq Hai | Affan | Hum TV |
| 2019 | Jaal | Arsal | |
| 2023-2025 | Murdoch Mysteries | Younger Man & Clyde Dewala | CBC |
| 2024 | Potluck Ladies | Aamir | Hollywood Suite, Yes TV |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Designated Survivor | Rami Bashir | Cameo appearance in Episode 17 of Season 2[22] |
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[10] | Gupta | Fringe theatre |
| 2023 | Behind the Moon | Ayub | Tarragon Theatre |
Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ali Kazmi | Best Actor in a Short Film at World Music & Independent Film Festival[9][8] | Won |
