Wahaj Ali
{{short description|Pakistani actor (born 1988)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Wahaj Ali
| image =
| caption = Ali in 2023
| birth_date = {{birth date and age |df=yes|1988|12|1}}
| birth_place = Lahore, Pakistan
| education = National College of Arts
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|}}
| years_active = 2015–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Sana Farooq|2016|}}
| children = 1
}}
Wahaj Ali (born 1 December 1988) is a Pakistani actor who works in Urdu television. After making his television debut with the soap serial Ishq Ibadat in 2015, Ali gained critical praise for playing Bangladeshi freedom fighter Shafi Imam Rumi in Jo Bichar Gaye (2021). He gained widespread popularity with his portrayal of Murtasim Khan in the 2023 romance drama Tere Bin which earned him the Lux Style Award for Best TV Actor.
Early life and family
Ali was born on 1 December 1988 into a Punjabi family in Lahore, Punjab.{{Cite web |accessdate=10 December 2021 |date=1 December 2020 |title=Wahaj Ali, the versatile actor, celebrates his 32nd birthday |url=https://www.bolnews.com/2020/12/01/pakistani-celebrity/wahaj-ali-the-versatile-actor-celebrates-32nd-birthday-today/index.html/amp |website=Bol News}}{{Cite web |date=1 December 2022 |accessdate=11 December 2022 |title=Birthday wishes pour in for actor Wahaj Ali |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/02-Dec-2022/birthday-wishes-pour-in-for-wahaj-ali?version=amp |website=Daily Pakistan}} His father worked in the government, and his mother was a teacher.{{Cite web |date=23 October 2018 |title=Wahaj Ali |url=https://socialdiary.pk/wahaj-ali/ |website=Social Diary}} Ali earned his Masters in Multimedia Arts from the National College of Arts.{{Cite web |title=Profile on LinkedIn |url=https://pk.linkedin.com/in/wahaj-ali-47164321 |website=LinkedIn}}
Career
= Early work in theater and TV production =
Ali began his career as a theater actor in 2007 before joining a TV channel in the news and programming department.{{Cite web |last=Shabbir |first=Buraq |date=31 May 2020 |title=From theatre to television to films |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/664899-from-theatre-to-television-to-films |access-date=22 August 2022 |website=The News International}} From 2009 to 2011, he worked as an assistant producer at Samaa TV. Since 2011, Ali onwards has been a producer at Geo TV.
= TV debut and success (2015–present) =
Marking his television debut as a leading actor in 2015 with the drama Ishq Ibadat, he went on to play lead in several notable television serials, including Hari Hari Churiyan (2017), Dil Nawaz (2017), Mah-e-Tamaam (2017), Dil-e-Bereham (2019), Bharam (2019) Fitoor (2021) and Ishq Jalebi (2021).
In 2021, Ali delivered a critically lauded performance as Shafi Imam Rumi, a Bangladeshi freedom fighter, in the historical drama Jo Bichar Gaye, showcasing his range and dramatic intensity.{{cite news |date=19 January 2022 |title=Maya Ali, Wahaj dominate with their sizzling chemistry in 'Jo Bichar Gaye' |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2339457/maya-ali-wahaj-dominate-with-their-sizzling-chemistry-in-jo-bichar-gaye |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=The Express Tribune}} His portrayal was described as "powerful and emotional" by reviewers, particularly in the show's climactic scenes.{{cite web |last=Awan |first=Fatima |date=14 March 2022 |title=Jo Bichar Gaye Last Episode – Powerful and Emotional |url=https://reviewit.pk/jo-bichar-gaye-last-episode-powerful-and-emotional/ |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Reviewit.pk}}
He reached widespread popularity across South Asia with his portrayal of Murtasim Khan in the 2022–23 romance drama Tere Bin, which became a cultural phenomenon.{{cite web |last=Sayem |first=Kawser Md. |date=4 June 2025 |title=Pakistani Drama Tere Bin Emerges as an All-Time Audience Favourite |url=https://unb.com.bd/category/Entertainment/pakistani-drama-tere-bin-emerges-as-an-all-time-audience-favourite/161280 |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=UNB News}} According to a Gulf News op-ed written in June 2025, years after the end of the drama, Ali’s “magnetic presence” and “emotional chemistry” with co-star Yumna Zaidi were key to the show's success.{{cite news |last=Radhakrishnan |first=Manjusha |date=17 June 2025 |title=Tere Bin: Why this hit Pakistani love drama still has us hooked and when you can expect season 2 |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/tere-bin-why-this-hit-pakistani-love-drama-still-has-us-hooked-and-when-you-can-expect-season-2-1.500166124 |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=Gulf News}}
Media image
Ali has established himself as one of the leading Urdu television actors.{{cite web|url=https://galaxylollywood.com/2023/06/12/how-wahaj-alis-approach-to-fame-sets-him-apart/|title=The art of staying grounded: How Wahaj Ali has handled fame and success - Exclusive|accessdate=16 June 2023|website=Galaxy Lollywood|date=12 June 2023 }} Dawn noted, "The fact that all his different avatars have been so well-received is testament to his talent."{{Cite web |title=The Icon Interview - Wahaj Ali: 'Im in no hurry' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1662026 |work=Dawn |author=Maliha Rehman |date=5 December 2021 |access-date=23 December 2021}} Something Haute noted, "Wahaj Ali's choices and the credibility they have amassed, have played a pivotal role in positioning him right at the top of the artistic food chain."{{cite web|url=https://www.somethinghaute.com/the-rising-of-wahaj-ali/|title=The Rising of Wahaj Ali|date=29 March 2023|accessdate=16 April 2023|website=Something Haute|author=Aamna Haider Isani}} He has been placed in Hello Pakistan's HOT100 list, in the "Trailblazers" category.{{cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/14-Dec-2022/headliners-trailblazers-trendsetters-celebs-who-made-it-to-hellopakistan-s-hot100-list-of-2022%3fversion=amp|title=Headliners, trailblazers, trendsetters - Celebs who made it to Hello Pakistan's #HOT100 list|accessdate=16 December 2022|website=Daily Pakistan}} Ali has received the "Sexiest Heartthrob" title at Hello Magazine Awards in 2023.
{{cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/17-May-2023/tere-bin-couple-yumna-zaidi-wahaj-ali-set-couple-goals-with-walima-photoshoot%3fversion=amp|title='Tere Bin' star couple Yumna Zaidi and Wahaj Ali set couple goals with their Walima photoshoot|accessdate=29 May 2023|website=Daily Pakistan}} He serves as an ambassador for a number of brands such as Head & Shoulders and 7 Up.{{Cite web|url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40037796|title=Wahaj Ali's cross-border fandom, wins hearts in India with 'Tere Bin'|website=Samaa TV|language=en|date=4 June 2023|accessdate=22 June 2023}}
Filmography
= Films =
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes ! Ref |
| 2019
| Young Salim Malik | Cameo appearance | |
| 2023
|Asad |Segment: “Aik So Taeeswaan” |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role |
| 2015
|Sahil |
| rowspan="4" |2016
|Bilal |
| Wafa
|Hashir |
| Gila
|Sanwal/Ramis |
| Ahsas
|Zohaib Adil |
| rowspan="4" |2017
|Zoya Sawleha |Faris |
| Mere Dil Mere Musafir
|Hasan |
| Hari Hari Churiyan
|Ali |
| Dil Nawaz
|Fawad |
| rowspan="2" |2018
|Maan |
| Mah-e-Tamaam
|Taqi Lodhi |
| rowspan="4" |2019
|Tabish |
| Bharam
|Maarif Ali |
| Ehd-e-Wafa
|Shariq Habib |
| Haqeeqat
|Asif |
| rowspan="3" |2020
|Mera Maan Rakhna |Mohid |
| Bikhray Moti
|Ahad |
| Ghisi Piti Mohabbat
|Rizwan aka Riz |
| rowspan="4" |2021
|Basim Hussain |
| Fitoor
|Hamza Sadiq |
| Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi
|Jamshed aka Jimmy |
| Jo Bichar Gaye |
| rowspan="2" |2022-2023
|Saad Hussain |
| Tere Bin
|Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan |
| rowspan="2" |2023
| Jurm | Daniyal Mujib |
| 22 Qadam |
| 2023-24
|Mein | Zaid Asif |
| 2024-25
|Bilal Abdullah |
| 2025
|Jinki Shaadi Unki Shaadi | Shehroz Hashmi |
| 2026
|Mitti De Baway |Faraz |
| 2026
|Tere Bin 2 |Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan |
=Telefilms=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016
|Fahad | ||
| 2020
|Love Siyapa | Shahabuddin aka Shobi | ||
| 2025
|Woh Ek Raat | Zohaib Shah |
= Special appearances =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" scope="col"|Notes |
| 2022
|Reza (voice over) |Animated series |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable style"
!Year !Award !Category !Work !Result !Ref |
| 2016
|{{nom}} |
| 2019
| Best Newcomer Male | Haiwan | {{won}} |
| 2021
| Favourite Jodi (with Ramsha Khan) | {{nom}} |
| 2024
| Most Stylish Television Actor - Male | Himself | {{nom}} |
| Rowspan="3"|2025
| Rowspan="3"|Lux Style Awards | Best TV Actor Male - Viewer’s Choice | Rowspan="2"|Tere Bin | {{won}} |
| Best TV Actor Male - Critics’ Choice
| {{nominated}} |
| Film Actor of the Year Male - Viewer’s Choice
| {{won}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|9106809}}
- {{Instagram|wahaj.official}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Wahaj}}
Category:Male actors from Lahore
Category:Pakistani male stage actors
Category:Pakistani male television actors
Category:Pakistani television producers
Category:Male actors in Urdu cinema
Category:Male actors in Urdu television