Ali Kazmi

Ali Kazmi, born Ali Arsalan Kazmi on 31 October 1981 in Karachi, Pakistan, is a Pakistani‑Canadian actor, director, producer and model who has worked across English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi productions. He grew up in a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry; his father Rahat Kazmi and mother Sahira Kazmi are celebrated Pakistani actors and his maternal grandfather was the late Indian film star Shyam, which gave him a rich artistic heritage. Kazmi began his on‑screen career as a child, appearing in the 1995 PTV Home series “Zikr Hai Kai Saal Ka,” and continued to build his résumé with supporting roles such as in the drama “Manzil” (2006). After completing his education at The Lyceum School in Karachi, he relocated to Canada where he expanded his craft, acting in television series, commercials and stage productions while also studying at the Toronto Film School. His breakthrough in film came with a villainous turn in the action movie “The Dependables” (2014) and a notable negative role in Mehreen Jabbar’s “Jackson Heights,” which raised his profile in Pakistan. In 2015 he starred in two commercially successful films, the Punjabi blockbuster “Sardaar Ji” and Deepa Mehta’s internationally‑focused “Beeba Boys,” demonstrating his versatility across genres. Kazmi’s performance in the short film “Coffee at Laundromat” earned him the Best Actor award at the World Music & Independent Film Festival in 2016. He later appeared in the American series “Taken” (2016) as Marzoki, an eccentric analyst, and voiced characters in the critically acclaimed animated feature “The Breadwinner” (2017). More recent work includes his role as Abid in the Pakistani drama “Tu Ishq Hai” and starring as the titular hero in “Umro Ayyar – A New Beginning,” an action thriller released in 2024. Beyond acting, Kazmi has produced numerous television dramas for Big Bang Entertainment, reflecting his commitment to nurturing regional content. Married to his high‑school sweetheart Alizeh Khorasanee since 2007, the couple resides in Toronto and raise two sons, all while Kazmi continues to speak multiple languages and pursue cross‑cultural projects.