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Akiv Ali
Akiv Ali
Akiv Ali
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Akiv Ali is an Indian film editor and director who works in Hindi cinema.[1][2]

Key Information

Career

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Ali is known for editing films such as Once Upon a Time in Mumbai. He worked as an actor in the film Rog in 2005.[3]

Akiv's debut directorial De De Pyaar De, starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh released on 17 May 2019.[4][5][6][7]

Filmography

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As editor

[edit]

As director

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As actor

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Akiv Ali

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Akiv Ali (born 1981) is an Indian film editor and director who primarily works in . Renowned for his contributions to both commercial blockbusters and critically praised projects, Ali has edited over 25 films since the early 2000s, including the National Film Award-winning (2011), the romantic drama Barfi! (2012), the action thriller Bang Bang! (2014), and the romantic comedy (2023). His directorial debut, the family romantic comedy (2019) starring , , and Tabu, was also edited by him and explored intergenerational relationships with a mix of humor and drama. Ali's career began with assistant editing roles before taking on lead editing duties starting with films like (2004) and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010), establishing him as a go-to editor for high-profile directors in Bollywood. Subsequent editing credits include the ensemble comedy (2018) and the action drama (2017), showcasing his versatility across genres from romance and comedy to thrillers.

Early life

Birth and family background

Akiv Ali was born in 1981 in , , making him 44 years old as of 2025. Raised in , Ali's family played a pivotal role in nurturing his early interests in films and music. His parents, avid enthusiasts of cinema and music, shared their passion with him, fostering a deep appreciation for and that would later influence his career. Among his earliest memories are family viewings of classic films, such as The Ten Commandments (1956) and Ben-Hur (1959), which ignited his fascination with the moving image. Details about his immediate family remain largely private, and he resides in Mumbai.

Education and early influences

Akiv Ali was born and brought up in Mumbai, where he pursued a degree in commerce while nurturing a burgeoning passion for cinema amid his studies. His parents, avid enthusiasts of music and films, exposed him to a rich array of movies during his childhood, fostering an early appreciation for storytelling and visual narratives. Among the Bollywood films that profoundly influenced him was Subhash Ghai's Saudagar (1991), whose grand scale and emotional depth ignited his interest in filmmaking, particularly the rhythmic interplay of music, sound, and visuals that later drew him to editing. Hollywood epics such as The Ten Commandments (1956), West Side Story (1961), and Ben-Hur (1959) further shaped his sensibilities, emphasizing dramatic pacing and musical integration.

Professional career

Entry into film editing

Akiv Ali began his career in Bollywood film editing in 2003 at the age of 22, marking his entry into the industry through entry-level roles on multiple projects. His debut came with the family drama , directed by Ravindra Peepat, where he handled the editing responsibilities. That same year, he edited Saaya, a supernatural thriller directed by , followed by the crime drama under Vikram Bhatt's direction. Ali continued with Inteha, another Vikram Bhatt thriller, and , Pooja Bhatt's directorial debut exploring themes of crime and redemption. In 2004, Ali's work on , directed by , served as a pivotal learning experience that helped shape his editing approach, emphasizing rhythm and pacing in erotic thrillers. He also edited Tumsa Nahin Dekha: A Love Story, another Basu project blending romance and music, which further refined his skills in narrative flow. These early assignments, often with , provided hands-on exposure to diverse genres without prior formal training in cinema. Ali's editing on , a psychological drama directed by Margi Randhawa and starring , stood out as an early notable effort that contributed to establishing his presence in . This project, dealing with post-9/11 trauma, highlighted his ability to handle sensitive emotional storytelling through precise cuts. His commerce background from the represented a non-traditional entry into .

Major editing collaborations

Akiv Ali's editing career gained prominence with his work on (2007), directed by , where his contributions to the film's rhythmic pacing of interconnected urban stories earned him a nomination for Best Editing at the 14th Star Screen Awards. This project marked an early high-profile collaboration, blending emotional depth with brisk narrative flow in a multi-threaded . In the early 2010s, Ali elevated his status through several standout Bollywood projects, including Kites (2010), also directed by Basu, which featured his seamless integration of high-energy action sequences with romantic tension in a thriller. That same year, he edited Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010) under , sharpening the film's gangster-era pacing to heighten dramatic confrontations and period authenticity. His work on I Hate Luv Storys (2010), directed by , contributed to the light-hearted romantic comedy's fluid transitions, emphasizing witty banter and youthful energy. Ali's collaboration with Luthria continued productively in (2011), a biographical drama where his editing amplified Vidya Balan's transformative performance through tight emotional beats and dynamic montages that captured the protagonist's rise and fall. In 2012, he handled the intense action rhythms of Agneepath, directed by , ensuring visceral fight scenes propelled the revenge narrative without losing emotional resonance. A pivotal partnership formed with Basu on Barfi! (2012), where Ali's precise cuts enhanced the film's whimsical, non-linear structure, balancing silent-era charm with heartfelt emotional arcs to create a poignant . This stylistic synergy emphasized pacing driven by performance and emotion, as Ali later described his approach: cutting scenes to the "rhythm of the emotion" rather than rigid beats. Ali's work with on (2013) showcased his adeptness in romantic genres, with editing that sustained the film's vibrant energy across adventure sequences and introspective moments, fostering a sense of youthful exuberance and relational growth. By 2014, he transitioned into high-octane action with , directed by , where his contributions to rapid cuts and stunt synchronization amplified the thriller's adrenaline-fueled chases and stunts. These mid-2010s projects solidified Ali's reputation for tailoring pacing to genre demands, from romance's emotional subtlety to action's intensity.

Directorial debut and beyond

In the late 2010s, after editing over 20 films in Bollywood, Akiv Ali transitioned to directing, drawing on his longstanding collaboration with writer-producer , who had entrusted him with several of his projects. This experience facilitated his shift, allowing him to helm his debut feature while maintaining creative control over the process. Ali's directorial debut came with (2019), a exploring an age-gap romance between a middle-aged divorced man and a younger woman, navigating family opposition and societal judgments. The film, written by and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Luv Ranjan, and under T-Series and , stars as the protagonist, alongside Rakul Preet Singh and Tabu as his love interest and ex-wife, respectively. Ali took on the dual role of director and editor, a practice echoing industry precedents like those set by filmmakers such as in his early works. Production wrapped efficiently, with principal photography completed in and , emphasizing lighthearted yet relatable themes of modern relationships. The film achieved commercial success, grossing approximately ₹104 crore net in India against a modest budget, marking it as a hit and boosting Ali's profile as a director. Following the release, Ali announced plans for an action-drama project in 2020, an original concept developed in collaboration with , signaling his intent to diversify beyond romantic comedies. However, as of 2025, the project remains unreleased, with no further directing credits attributed to him. Ali has expressed a desire to return to editing post-debut, viewing it as his primary craft while selectively pursuing directional opportunities; he resumed editing with films such as (2020) and (2023).

Filmography

Editing credits

Akiv Ali began his editing career in 2003 and has since contributed to numerous Bollywood films as the lead editor, with his work spanning independent projects to major commercial successes. The following is a chronological list of his editing credits:
YearFilm TitleDirectorRole Note
2003Kash Aap Hamare HoteRevathiLead editor
2003SaayaAnshuman RajuLead editor
2003FootpathVikram BhattLead editor
2003IntehaTanuja ChandraLead editor
2003PaapAshutosh GowarikerLead editor
2004MurderAnurag BasuLead editor
2004Tumsa Nahin DekhaVikram BhattLead editor
2004MadhoshiMargiLead editor
2005RogPrem RajLead editor
2005ZeherMohit SuriLead editor
2005Koi Tujh Sa KahaanSameer MalkanLead editor
2005KalyugMohit SuriLead editor
2006GangsterAnurag BasuLead editor
2006The KillerHasnain Hyderabadwala, Raksha MistryLead editor
2006Woh LamheMohit SuriLead editor
2007Life in a MetroAnurag BasuLead editor
2008Banda Yeh Bindaas HaiRavi ChopraLead editor (unreleased)
2010KitesAnurag BasuLead editor
2010Once Upon a Time in MumbaiMilan LuthriaLead editor
2010I Hate Luv StorysHabib FaisalLead editor
2011The Dirty PictureMilan LuthriaLead editor
2011Pyaar Ka PunchnamaLuv RanjanLead editor
2012AgneepathKaran MalhotraLead editor
2012Barfi!Anurag BasuLead editor
2013Akaash VaniLuv RanjanLead editor
2013Once Upon ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara!Milan LuthriaLead editor
2013Gori Tere Pyaar MeinPunit MalhotraLead editor
2013Yeh Jawaani Hai DeewaniAyan MukerjiLead editor
2014Bang Bang!Siddharth AnandLead editor
2014Happy EndingRaj & DKLead editor
2015BrothersKaran MalhotraLead editor
2015Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2Luv RanjanLead editor
2017Jagga JasoosAnurag BasuLead editor
2017KaabilSanjay GuptaLead editor
2018Sonu Ke Titu Ki SweetyLuv RanjanLead editor
2019De De Pyaar DeAkiv AliLead editor
2020ChhalaangHansal MehtaLead editor
2023Tu Jhoothi Main MakkaarLuv RanjanLead editor

Directorial credits

Akiv Ali transitioned from his acclaimed career in film editing to make his directorial debut with the De De Pyaar De (2019), starring and in lead roles. The film explores themes of intergenerational romance and family dynamics, and was released on May 17, 2019, with a runtime of 135 minutes. As of November 2025, remains Ali's sole directorial credit, with no subsequent feature films helmed by him released.

Acting roles

Akiv Ali's acting career is limited, with his sole documented on-screen appearance occurring in the 2005 thriller . In this film, directed by Prem Raj and starring as Inspector Uday Rathore, Ali portrayed a minor, unnamed character in a story centered on a investigating a high-profile case involving suspects played by , , and . No additional acting credits for Ali have been documented through 2025, underscoring that his primary contributions to cinema remain in editing and directing.

Awards and recognition

Editing nominations and wins

Akiv Ali's editing work has earned him multiple nominations from prominent Indian film award ceremonies, recognizing his contributions to pacing, narrative flow, and emotional depth in key Bollywood projects. These accolades, spanning from 2008 onward, underscore his role in enhancing the storytelling of commercially and critically successful films without any wins to date. In the 2008 awards cycle, Ali received a nomination for Best Editing at the 14th Screen Awards for his work on Life in a... Metro, a multi-threaded urban drama directed by Anurag Basu, where his cuts helped interweave the ensemble narratives effectively. The film's broader success, including multiple nominations across categories, highlighted the impact of Ali's editing in maintaining its rhythmic intensity. For Barfi!, a 2012 romantic comedy-drama also directed by , Ali was nominated for Best Editing at the 19th in 2013. His editing choices, particularly in blending silent sequences with musical elements, were instrumental in the film's whimsical yet poignant tone, contributing to its overall critical acclaim and international recognition. Ali garnered another nomination in 2014 at the for Best Editing on , Ayan Mukerji's coming-of-age adventure romance starring and . His precise montage work amplified the film's energetic transitions between youthful exuberance and reflective moments, aligning with the movie's box-office triumph and stylistic vibrancy. Similar recognition extended to his editing on other notable films like (2011), though without formal nominations, where his contributions supported the biopic's bold narrative drive and commercial performance.

Directorial achievements

Akiv Ali's directorial debut, (2019), marked a commercial triumph, amassing ₹103.64 nett in and ₹143.04 worldwide, qualifying as a hit and contributing to Ajay Devgn's tenth entry into the 100- club. The film's performance underscored its appeal as a family entertainer, with steady collections reflecting strong audience engagement despite competition. Audiences praised the movie for its sensitive portrayal of challenging themes, including age-gap romance and post-divorce relationships, delivering a progressive narrative that resonated with viewers navigating modern societal shifts. This reception highlighted Ali's ability to balance humor and emotional depth, making the unconventional love story accessible and relatable without overt preachiness. Critics commended Ali's directing style, which leveraged his extensive editing experience to ensure tight pacing and nuanced , particularly in sequences blending comedy with heartfelt confrontations. of awarded it 4/5 stars, describing Ali's handling of the plot as skillful and finesse-driven for a debutant, effectively addressing bold topics like intergenerational love. While the film did not secure major directing nominations such as , its success solidified Ali's transition from editor to director, enhancing his reputation for crafting impactful, audience-driven cinema that influences Bollywood's approach to contemporary relationships.

References

  1. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/akiv-ali/IEIN009681
  2. https://filmyfocus.com/celebs/akiv-ali
  3. https://www.digitalstudioindia.com/lists/4506-akiv-ali
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1322099/
  5. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/akiv_ali
  6. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/akiv-ali/IEIN009681/filmography
  7. https://www.fandango.com/people/akiv-ali-10448/film-credits
  8. https://letterboxd.com/director/akiv-ali/
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405507/fullcredits/
  10. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/120478-akiv-ali?language=en-US
  11. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/on-the-sets-with-akiv-ali/
  12. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/editors-diaries-picture-editor-akiv-ali-directors-anand-bakshi
  13. https://rakbak16.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/editors-diaries-with-picture-editor-akiv-ali-a-conversation/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0352489/fullcredits/
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  21. https://www.afaqs.com/media-briefs/26860_utvs-life-in-a-metro-nominated-for-awards
  22. https://www.indiaglitz.com/metro-leads-with-14-screen-nominations-kannada-news-35783
  23. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akiv-ali-i-will-go-back-to-being-an-editor-after-de-de-pyar-de-releases/articleshow/69071204.cms
  24. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/120478-akiv-ali
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  27. https://watch.plex.tv/person/akiv-ali
  28. https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/the-dirty-picture-1117946771/
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  30. https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/barfi-1117948356/
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  32. https://shotonwhat.com/yeh-jawaani-hai-deewani-2013
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8647400/
  34. https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/de-de-pyaar-de-director-akiv-ali-says-his-second-project-is-an-action-drama-with-luv-ranjan-8402551.html
  35. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/de-de-pyaar-de/box-office/
  36. https://www.sacnilk.com/news/De_De_Pyaar_De_Box_Office_Collection_Hindi_Worldwide
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  38. https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/de-de-pyaar-de-director-akiv-ali-s-next-is-an-action-drama-120052300701_1.html
  39. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/akiv-ali/filmography/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443208/fullcredits
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  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1891884/fullcredits
  45. https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/hazaribagh/happy-ending-2014/ET00018500
  46. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/De-De-Pyaar-De-%28India%29-%282019%29
  47. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1929938433/
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  49. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1322099/awards/
  50. https://www.news18.com/news/india/colors-screen-awards-full-list-of-nominations-529528.html
  51. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/nominations-19th-annual-colors-screen-awards/
  52. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/akiv-ali/awards/nominated/
  53. https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/bollywood/de-de-pyaar-de-review-surprisingly-mature-romance-reel-deal-podcast
  54. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/de-de-pyaar-de/critic-review/de-de-pyaar-de-movie-review/
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