Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Shaad Ali.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Shaad Ali
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Shaad Ali is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Hindi films.
Key Information
Early life and education
[edit]Ali was born to Muzaffar Ali and Subhashini Ali (née Sahgal), an Indian politician and member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).[1] He is thus the grandson of Azad Hind Fauj commander Lakshmi Sahgal and Colonel Prem Sahgal. He studied at the Welham Boys' School and the Lawrence School, Sanawar.[2]
His paternal grandfather, Raja Syed Sajid Husain Ali, was the former ruling prince of the principality of Kotwara in Awadh of pre-independence India. Ali is the nephew of environmental educator Kartikeya Sarabhai and the Indian classical dancer Mallika Sarabhai.[3][4]
Career
[edit]Shaad Ali started his career as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam, and assisted him on the film Dil Se.. (1998).
He made his directorial debut under Yash Raj Films and Madras Talkies, with Saathiya (2002), starring Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji. The film was a remake of Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Alai Payuthey (2000). Saathiya's script was written by Ratnam. The film did well and established Ali in the industry.[5]
His second film was Bunty Aur Babli (2005) which for the first time brought together real-life father and son Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan alongside Rani Mukerji. The film was one of the biggest hits of the year.[6]
Ali's third film, released on 15 June 2007 and titled Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, stars Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol and Lara Dutta in lead roles.
His fourth directorial venture was Kill Dil which was released on 14 November 2014. The movie received average reviews from critics and lukewarm response at the Box office.[7][8]
He then directed the movie Ok Jaanu which released on 13 January 2017. It is a remake of Mani Ratnam's Tamil movie O Kadhal Kanmani. This film reunited him with composer A. R. Rahman after Saathiya (2002), after Rahman turned down Bunty Aur Babli citing a busy schedule.
His next movie was Soorma, a biographical sports drama film based on the life of hockey player Sandeep Singh, releasied on 13 July 2018.
Personal life
[edit]Ali married Shazmeen Hussain, daughter of conceptual artist Rummana Hussain and businessman Ishaat Hussain, in 2006. The couple divorced in 2011.[9][10] He briefly dated Pooja Shetty, daughter of Adlabs founder Manmohan Shetty. In 2013, he married stylist Aarti Patkar.[11]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Director | Assistant Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Dil Se.. | Yes | |
| 2002 | Saathiya | Yes | |
| 2005 | Bunty Aur Babli | Yes | |
| 2007 | Jhoom Barabar Jhoom | Yes | |
| Guru | Yes | ||
| 2010 | Raavan | Yes | |
| Raavanan | Yes | ||
| 2014 | Kill Dil | Yes | |
| 2017 | Ok Jaanu | Yes | |
| 2018 | Soorma | Yes | |
| 2022 | Mister Mummy | Yes |
Web series
[edit]- Pawan & Pooja (2020)
- Call My Agent: Bollywood (2021)
- Bloody Brothers[12] (2022)
References
[edit]- ^ "Shahid avoiding Shaad". Deccanchronicle.com. 8 February 2011. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
- ^ Nisheeth Sharan’s "Grillopollis" hosts Sanawar’s reunion over its first preview Archived 24 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine dated 23 October 2010 at glamgold.com, accessed 11 March 2012
- ^ "Mallika unmuzzled". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ "Mrinalini Sarabhai's 100th birth anniversary: Some interesting facts about the legendary dancer". The Indian Express. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ "BoxOfficeIndia.Com-The complete Hindi film box office site". Boxofficeindia.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
- ^ "BoxOfficeIndia.Com-The complete Hindi film box office site". Boxofficeindia.com. 13 December 2007. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
- ^ "'Kill Dil' gets 'kill'ed officially; collects a mere Rs 20 crore in opening weekend". The Indian Express. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Kill Dil Review". indicine. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ Cotter, Holland (18 July 1999). "Rummana Hussain, 47, Indian Conceptual Artist". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ "Finally, the director at home". Hindustan Times. 29 January 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ "Shaad Ali ties the knot again - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ Shweta Keshri (17 February 2022). "Jaideep Ahlawat and Zeeshan Ayyub are Bloody Brothers in Zee5 series. Watch teaser". India Today. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
.svg){kind=small} | This article about an Indian film director is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |
Shaad Ali
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background
Shaad Ali was born on 1 January 1970 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to a prominent family with deep roots in the arts, politics, and the Indian independence movement.[1] His father, Muzaffar Ali, is a renowned filmmaker, poet, and fashion designer best known for directing the critically acclaimed film Umrao Jaan (1981), while his mother, Subhashini Ali, is a veteran politician and member of Parliament from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), who has also appeared in films such as Asoka (2001).[11][11] Ali's maternal grandparents were Colonel Prem Sahgal, a key figure in the Indian National Army (INA), and Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, who commanded the Rani of Jhansi Regiment in the INA during the fight against British colonial rule in the 1940s. Lakshmi Sahgal, a doctor by profession, played a pivotal role in the women's wing of the Azad Hind Fauj under Subhas Chandra Bose and later became a prominent advocate for women's rights and social justice.[12][13] Through his maternal lineage, his great-aunt was the acclaimed classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai, sister to Lakshmi Sahgal, whose children include classical dancer Mallika Sarabhai and environmentalist Kartikeya Sarabhai. This extended family network, blending revolutionary history, political activism, and cultural artistry, provided Ali with an upbringing immersed in intellectual discourse, artistic expression, and a commitment to social causes, profoundly influencing his worldview and creative inclinations from an early age.[14][11]Education
Shaad Ali attended Welham Boys' School in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, where he received his early education in a boarding environment that emphasized holistic development.[5] This institution, established in 1937, provided a structured setting for young students, contributing to his foundational years.[15] He later continued his schooling at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, completing his secondary education at this historic co-educational boarding school founded in 1847.[1] The school's rigorous academic program and extracurricular activities exposed him to diverse influences, including arts and literature, which were further shaped by his family's artistic legacy and sparked his early interest in cinema.[15] No records indicate that Ali pursued higher education beyond secondary school; instead, he transitioned directly into the film industry following his schooling.[1]Career
Early career as assistant director
Shaad Ali began his professional journey in the Indian film industry as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam, joining the production of the 1998 film Dil Se.. as the only Hindi-speaking assistant in a small team. This role provided him with hands-on responsibilities that accelerated his maturation in filmmaking, offering a comprehensive immersion into the creative process.[16] Under Ratnam's guidance, Ali gained invaluable insights into production, scripting, and direction over a four-year period, describing the experience as directly learning the craft of filmmaking from one of India's foremost directors. He valued Ratnam's all-encompassing approach to directing, which involved close collaboration on sets and allowed Ali to occasionally take over shoots, fostering a deep appreciation for the nuances of narrative construction.[17][18] This apprenticeship profoundly influenced Ali's understanding of storytelling, emphasizing authenticity in character relationships and emotional depth, while enhancing his technical proficiency in handling diverse production environments, from scripting adaptations to on-location shoots. The mentorship's impact is evident in how Ratnam's methods shaped Ali's perspective on balancing personal vision with audience resonance.[18][16] Following his time with Ratnam, Ali transitioned to Yash Raj Films, where the foundational skills acquired positioned him for independent directorial opportunities within a major production house.[5]Feature film directorial works
Shaad Ali made his directorial debut with Saathiya (2002), an official Hindi remake of Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Alaipayuthey (2000), which explored the challenges of young love and marriage through the story of a couple navigating post-elopement realities.[7] The film, produced under Yash Raj Films, received critical acclaim for its fresh, realistic portrayal of romance and strong performances by the leads, while achieving commercial success as a hit at the box office with net collections of approximately ₹15.25 crore in India.[19] This debut was influenced by Ali's earlier role as an assistant director on Ratnam's projects, shaping his nuanced approach to emotional storytelling. Building on this momentum, Ali's next film, Bunty Aur Babli (2005), shifted to a light-hearted comedy-crime genre, centering on a pair of small-town con artists chasing the high life.[20] Produced again by Yash Raj Films, it was praised for its entertaining narrative, vibrant energy, and the leads' chemistry, emerging as a major box office hit with worldwide gross of ₹63.74 crore and ranking as the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year.[21] The film's success solidified Ali's reputation for blending humor with relatable character arcs within the Yash Raj banner. In 2007, Ali ventured into musical romance with Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, a story of mistaken identities and love triangles set against colorful international backdrops.[22] While it garnered mixed critical reviews for its convoluted plot, the film was noted for its standout choreography, infectious soundtrack by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and visual flair, though it underperformed commercially as a below-average grosser.[23] This project highlighted Ali's experimentation with genre elements like song-driven storytelling, a staple in his Yash Raj collaborations. Ali's exploration of action-drama came with Kill Dil (2014), which delved into themes of loyalty and betrayal in the criminal underworld through a tale of hitmen and romance. Despite positive notes on its stylish execution and performances, the film received mixed reviews overall and underperformed at the box office, collecting ₹30 crore nett in India amid competition and narrative inconsistencies.[24] Returning to romance, Ok Jaanu (2017) was a remake of Mani Ratnam's O Kadhal Kanmani (2015), focusing on a live-in relationship between ambitious urban millennials wary of commitment.[25] Critically, it faced backlash for lacking the original's depth and chemistry, earning a 38% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, though it achieved moderate commercial success with worldwide collections of ₹37.5 crore.[26] The film underscored Ali's affinity for adapting Ratnam-inspired romantic narratives to contemporary Bollywood sensibilities. Ali then directed the biographical sports drama Soorma (2018), chronicling the real-life journey of Indian hockey player Sandeep Singh, from a near-fatal accident to national triumph.[27] The film earned positive reception for its inspirational tone, authentic depiction of resilience, and Diljit Dosanjh's portrayal, with a 50% Rotten Tomatoes score and praise for emotional impact, despite a below-average box office run of ₹32 crore nett in India.[28] This marked Ali's pivot toward motivational biopics outside his usual Yash Raj association. His most recent feature, Mister Mummy (2022), a family comedy-drama, examined gender roles and parenthood through a couple's surrogacy dilemma and role reversals.[29] The film received largely negative reviews for its uneven execution and dated humor, with a low 1.5/5 rating from Times of India, and it struggled commercially upon theatrical release before streaming on Netflix.[30] Throughout his career, Ali has frequently collaborated with Yash Raj Films on four of his seven features, evolving from romantic dramas to diverse genres like crime capers, musicals, action, and biopics, reflecting a trajectory of stylistic versatility amid varying commercial fortunes.[7] As of 2025, Ali is directing an upcoming action-romantic film starring Ahan Shetty, scheduled to go on floors in 2026.[9]Web series and digital projects
Shaad Ali made his foray into web series with Pawan & Pooja in 2020, a romantic drama anthology exploring complex love stories across three generations of couples, co-directed with Ajay Bhuyan and premiered on MX Player.[31][32] The series delves into themes of relationships, regrets, and enduring affection, drawing praise for its relatable urban narratives and strong ensemble performances.[33] In 2021, Ali directed Call My Agent: Bollywood for Netflix, an adaptation of the French series Dix Pour Cent that reimagines the chaos of a Mumbai talent agency navigating celebrity egos, casting dilemmas, and industry pressures within an Indian context.[34] The dramedy infuses Bollywood flair into the original format, highlighting backroom dealings and cultural nuances like family dynamics in professional settings.[35] Ali's 2022 project, Bloody Brothers on ZEE5, is a psychological thriller centered on two brothers entangled in a hit-and-run incident and its criminal aftermath, adapted from the BBC series Guilt.[36] The six-episode series builds tension through moral dilemmas and familial bonds rather than action sequences, earning acclaim for its suspenseful pacing and standout acting by Jaideep Ahlawat and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub.[37][38] Ali's digital works often adapt international formats to resonate with Indian audiences, incorporating local sensibilities such as societal expectations and emotional intensity while leveraging shorter episode lengths—typically 30-45 minutes—to experiment with non-linear storytelling and character-driven plots that might be constrained in feature films.[36][35] This approach allows for nuanced explorations of themes like ambition, guilt, and romance in bite-sized narratives. His experience directing feature films, including romantic dramas and ensemble pieces, informed his handling of ensemble casts and thematic depth in these series.[2] The surge in over-the-top (OTT) platforms in India during the early 2020s revitalized Ali's career after a period of fewer theatrical releases following Soorma (2018), providing opportunities to helm diverse genres from romance to thrillers unbound by box-office formulas.[39] This shift enabled him to tell bolder, more introspective stories tailored to streaming audiences seeking varied content amid the post-pandemic digital boom.[40]Personal life
Marriages and relationships
Shaad Ali married his childhood sweetheart Shazmeen Hussain, from a prominent Lucknow family, in January 2006 in a ceremony held in Lucknow.[41] The couple divorced in 2011 following reported conflicts, including showdowns on the sets of his film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.[42] Following the divorce, Ali entered a relationship with stylist Aarti Patkar, whom he had known for years.[42] The pair married on 6 January 2013 in a private Maharashtrian-style ceremony at Patkar's bungalow in Bandra, Mumbai, attended by Bollywood personalities such as Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar.[10][43] No children have been reported from either of Ali's marriages. Public interest in his relationships has primarily come through media coverage of the 2006 and 2013 weddings.[41][43]Family influences
Shaad Ali maintains a close yet balanced relationship with his parents, filmmaker Muzaffar Ali and politician Subhashini Ali, despite their separation since the 1980s, navigating the contrasting worlds of artistic creativity and political activism that have shaped his personal outlook.[44] In interviews, Ali has described drawing inspiration from his father's filmmaking process, which influenced his early career decisions toward cinema rather than public life, while respecting his mother's commitment to leftist causes without emulating it personally.[18] The legacy of his grandparents, particularly his maternal grandmother Captain Lakshmi Sahgal—a prominent freedom fighter and officer in the Indian National Army during the independence struggle—has instilled in Ali enduring values of resilience and social awareness that inform his worldview.[45] Sahgal's life of activism, including her leadership of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment and post-independence social work, continues to resonate with Ali, who has expressed profound admiration for her contributions and even considered directing a biopic to honor her story.[46] His paternal grandfather, Raja Syed Sajid Husain Ali, as the former prince of Kotwara in pre-independence India, further reinforced a sense of historical duty and cultural rootedness.[47] His extended family includes maternal relatives from the Sarabhai lineage, such as dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai (sister of Lakshmi Sahgal) and scientist Vikram Sarabhai (Mrinalini's husband). Despite his family's deep ties to politics—spanning his mother's parliamentary career and grandmother's revolutionary history—Ali has deliberately avoided overt political involvement, prioritizing personal privacy and artistic pursuits over public activism.[18]Filmography
Feature films
Shaad Ali's feature directorial debut was Saathiya (2002), for which he served as director and writer (screenplay), starring Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji, and produced by Yash Raj Films.[48] His second film, Bunty Aur Babli (2005), saw him as director, with Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, and Amitabh Bachchan in lead roles.[49] This was followed by Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007), directed by Ali and starring Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta.[50] Ali's subsequent directorial venture was Kill Dil (2014), featuring Ranveer Singh, Ali Zafar, and Parineeti Chopra. He then directed Ok Jaanu (2017), starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor. In 2018, Ali directed and wrote (screenplay) Soorma, with Diljit Dosanjh and Angad Bedi in principal roles.[51] His most recent feature film to date is Mister Mummy (2022), in which he acted as director, producer, and writer, starring Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh.[30] Ali's early feature films were produced under Yash Raj Films. These represent his complete directing credits in feature films.[2]Web series
Shaad Ali transitioned to directing web series on digital platforms in the late 2010s, marking a shift from his earlier feature film projects to OTT content.[52] His web series credits include:- Pawan & Pooja (2020): Directed by Shaad Ali (co-directed with Ajay Bhuyan); streamed on MX Player; starring Mahesh Manjrekar and Deepti Naval as leads.[53][54]
- Call My Agent: Bollywood (2021): Directed by Shaad Ali; streamed on Netflix; starring Aahana Kumra and Ayush Mehra as leads.[52][55]
- Bloody Brothers (2022): Directed by Shaad Ali; streamed on ZEE5; starring Jaideep Ahlawat and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as leads.[36]