Ali Merchant is an Indian TV actor, DJ, music producer and TV anchor. In 2022, he participated as a contestant in the reality TV series ‘Locked Up’, with his ex-wife Sara Khan as his co-contestant.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Ali Merchant was born on Tuesday, 13 December 1988 (age 35 years; as in 2023) in Mumbai. Their zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
Ali Merchant’s childhood picture with his mother
He did his schooling from St. Aloysius High School, Bandra, Mumbai. After this he took admission in RD National College, Bandra, Mumbai.
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 9″
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: black
Family
Ali Merchant was born in a Shia Muslim family.
parents and siblings
His father’s name is Abbas Merchant and mother’s name is Salma Merchant.
Ali Merchant with his father
Ali Merchant with his mother
Wife
In 2010, while he was in the Bigg Boss house, he married Indian actor Sara Khan. His marriage became the talk of the town as he was one of the few Indian actors to get married on a TV reality show. Reportedly, Sara and Ali were paid Rs. 5 million by Colors channel to get married on national television. Their marriage did not last long and they both got divorced within two months of marriage. In 2011, when Ali was invited as a guest on Star Plus’ TV show “Sach Ka Saamna”, he was questioned about his marriage with Sara. He replied,
I got married on TV for publicity. Anyone in my place would have done this. Going to Bigg Boss and then marrying Sara was the biggest mistake of my career. In fact, being in a relationship with him is my biggest regret.
Ali Merchant and Sara Khan on their wedding day
In an interview, when Sara was asked about her divorce from Ali, she said,
Even before Bigg Boss, I had been doing a daily soap and it made me popular and I got the reality show. Also, I married Ali because I loved him, and not for money or to gain some cheap popularity, as many people say. My marriage turned out to be a nightmare. I am deeply hurt by his behaviour. I gave her a thousand chances before ending the relationship. But now we are different and I believe in the saying that whatever happens, happens for good. I don’t want to look back. I want to look forward and do better than before.”
On 29 January 2016, he married Indian investment banker Anam Merchant. While talking about his marriage in an interview, Ali said,
There are no frills because he is not from the industry. We are having a party on 27th January, Nikah on 29th and reception on 30th. I feel like I’m starting a new chapter in my life. I hope 2016 will be great for me – both on the professional and personal front. Having said that, I want my work to speak rather than focusing on my personal life.
Ali Merchant and Aman’s wedding photo
Later, in an interview, Ali revealed that he divorced his wife Anam because their lifestyles were too different. he adds,
We were together for 4 to 5 years. I think our life philosophies were not matching. Our thought processes were not matching. She is a wonderful girl and she accepts that I am a good person. Look, my lifestyle became different. DJing brought nightlife into my life, with alcohol all around. Those live shows couldn’t get me home on time. She was at her workplace during the day. We couldn’t get enough time together. But what could I do? I had just revived my career.
livelihood
Model and host
He started his career as a model and at the age of 17, he participated in the Mr. Bombay contest and won the title. She has also hosted three consecutive seasons of ‘Gladrags Mega Model and Manhunt’ aired on Channel V. He has also appeared in a Hindi music video by Tinu Arora titled “Hai Mera Dil” (2018).
A scene from the music video Hi Mera Dil (2018)
actor
He started his career as an actor with the Hindi TV serial ‘Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki’ (2000), in which he played the role of Bharat Agarwal. In 2006 and 2007, he appeared in the episodic TV show ‘Ssssh…Phir Koi Hai’. After this, she acted in some Hindi TV serials like ‘Amber Dhara’ (2007), ‘Ruby’ (2008), ‘Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar’ (2009), ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ (2009), and ‘ Did. ‘Bandini’ (2010).
Ali Merchant in Amber Dhara
musician
He has also worked as a musician with various music labels like T-Series, Zee Music Company and Speed Records. In 2018, he released two Hindi music albums named ‘Tabahi’ and ‘Kadak’. Some of his Hindi single remixes are ‘Gulabo’ (Zee Music Company; 2016), ‘Bad Boys Mashup’ (T-Series; 2016), and ‘Aao Raja’ (Zee Music Company; 2019).
Disc jockey
Ali has also worked as a DJ with many popular DJs like Snake, Vinnie Vicky and Ritwiz. Some of his major programs as a DJ are:
- Bollyboom Ali Merchant India Club Tour (5 cities; 2018)
- Dabangg concert inaugurated at Coca-Cola Arena for Bollywood actors (November 2019)
- Sunburn Holi shares the stage with Vini Vicky and Ritwiz (March 2020)
Ali Merchant playing DJ at a party
Other work
In 2016, he participated in the celebrity cricket league ‘Box Cricket League 2’ as part of the Mumbai Tigers team.
Ali Merchant with Mumbai Tigers team members
Earlier he had auditioned for the TV reality show ‘MTV Roadies’, but he could not pass the audition. Ali participated in the online TV series ‘Locked Up’ (2022) as one of the wild contestants.
Ali Merchant and Sara Khan in Lock Up
Facts/General Knowledge
- Ali Merchant’s nickname is Minnu.
- During an interview, he told that after his divorce from Sara Khan in 2010, his professional life was affected. He said,
After controversies arose in my life, I took a break from acting. It became very difficult for me to accept the roles that I started getting after the controversy – all controversial roles, light roles. I decided that I would like to do something else for a while. So I took a job in Badlapur. But I was missing the industry a lot. After some time I thought I should change tracks and I got into music. I started doing remixes and mash-ups. I became a full-fledged DJ. I am one of the top five or ten best DJs in India.
- He has received various awards for his work as a DJ, including Best Trending DJ by Celeb M Awards in 2019.
Ali Merchant holding his award
- In 2022, when he was in the TV series ‘Locked Up’, he shared that he cheated on Sara Khan when she was in the Bigg Boss house (2010). He said,
I was 23 years old then. At that age our generation was very naive and immature. So I thought this is a good opportunity to create history by getting married in a reality show (Bigg Boss). When two people are in love the next step is to get married. We were together for two years before the show. She was living with me in my house. After coming out of Bigg Boss house, I realized that there is a lot of trouble in our family. I was angry about all this. I didn’t know what to do.”
He continued,
Even in Bigg Boss house, I saw that there was a link-up between Sara and Ashmit. Then I went to Delhi. I was in a club and there I got cheated. I met a girl. We talked on the phone. I was shocked and regretted it very much. I wanted to tell this to Sara. She was in the show then. The girl I met was in touch with Sara’s maternal uncle and told him everything. Everything came into the media. Everything fell apart before I could do damage control. That’s when we decided that we would separate. Ali Merchant also told that even after separation, Sara wanted to meet him, but by then some other girl had come into his life and he wanted to move ahead.
- Ali Merchant owns a BMW motorcycle.
Ali Merchant sitting on his motorcycle
- He is often seen smoking at parties and events.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn