Ali Kazmi
| Ali Kazmi | |
|---|---|
| Native name | علی کاظمی |
| Born |
Ali Arsalan Kazmi October 31, 1981 Karachi, Pakistan |
| Residence | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Education | Toronto Film School[1] |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Spouse(s) | Alizeh Khorasanee (m. 2007) |
| Parent(s) |
|
| Relatives | Shyam (grandfather) |
Ali Kazmi (Urdu: علی کاظمی; born 31 October 1981) is a Canadian actor of Pakistani descent. He appears in English, Hindi and Urdu language films and TV series. Apart from acting he has also worked as a host, director, producer and model.[2]
Early life and career
Kazmi was born to Rahat Kazmi and Sahira Kazmi 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).[3] 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.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6][7]
He will also appear in Liam Neeson's TV series Taken (2016). "I play Marzoki, a fast talking, sharp, quirky analyst", said Kazmi in an interview regarding Taken.[1][8] He is scheduled to appear in two upcoming films, Mehreen Jabbar's Dobara Phir Se (2016) and the animated film The Breadwinner (2017) produced by Angelina Jolie.[9]
Ali was also signed to appear in Ajay Devgan's Shivaay. But due to not getting permission to shot in Canada where Kazmi is based, some changes were made in the script and his role was removed.[10][11]
Personal life
Kazmi married his high school sweetheart Alizeh Khorasanee, whom he knew since the age of 12. They got married in Karachi and settled in Toronto. In 2014, their son was born.[12]
Filmography
 |
Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| 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 | upcoming film |
| 2017 | The Breadwinner | various | upcoming animated film |
Television
| |
Denotes television series that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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[1] | Gupta | Fringe theatre |
Awards
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ali Kazmi | Best Actor in a Short Film at World Music & Independent Film Festival[7][6] | Won |
References
- 1 2 3 Saeed, Mehek (7 May 2016). "Actor Ali Kazmi shooting with 'Game of Thrones' director". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ↑ Ahmad, Fouzia Nasir (21 June 2015). "First person: To newer 'heights'". Dawn. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ↑ 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 2 April 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ↑ "Ali Kazmi only gets meaner in Deepa Mehta's Beeba Boys". Dawn. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- 1 2 Shiraz Alwani, Sumaira (7 April 2016). "Pakistani Actor Ali Kazmi to Star In 'Taken Movie' TV Prequel". Brandsynario. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- 1 2 "2016 Partial Nominee List". World Music & Independent Film Festival. 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.
- ↑ Staff, Images (2016-08-07). "Ali Kazmi will no longer be appearing in Ajay Devgan's directorial debut flick". Retrieved 2016-08-07.
- ↑ Bukhari, Sanober (19 November 2015). "Up Close with Actor, Dad, Ali Kazmi". masalamommas. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
External links
- Ali Kazmi at the Internet Movie Database
- Ali Kazmi at Rotten Tomatoes
- Ali Kazmi on Twitter
