Wahaj Ali | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 December 1988 Lahore, Pakistan |
| Education | National College of Arts |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Spouse | Sana Farooq (m. 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.
Ali was born on 1 December 1988 into a Punjabi family in Lahore, Punjab. [1] [2] His father was a government employee, and his mother was a teacher. [3] Ali earned his Master's in Multimedia Arts from the National College of Arts. [4]
Ali began his career as a theater actor in 2007 before joining a TV channel in the news and programming department. [5] From 2009 to 2011, he worked as an assistant producer at Samaa TV. Since 2011, Ali onwards has been a producer at Geo TV.
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. [6] His portrayal was described as "powerful and emotional" by reviewers, particularly in the show's climactic scenes. [7]
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. [8] 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. [9]
Ali has established himself as one of the leading Urdu television actors. [10] Dawn noted, "The fact that all his different avatars have been so well-received is testament to his talent." [11] 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." [12] He has been placed in Hello Pakistan's HOT100 list, in the "Trailblazers" category. [13] Ali has received the "Sexiest Heartthrob" title at Hello Magazine Awards in 2023. [14] He serves as an ambassador for a number of brands such as Head & Shoulders and 7 Up. [15]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Superstar | Young Salim Malik | Cameo appearance | |
| 2019 | Dhoodh Patti | Wahaj | Short Film | |
| 2021 | Yorker | Ammar Saleem | Short Film | |
| 2023 | Teri Meri Kahaniyaan | Asad | Segment: “Aik So Taeeswaan” | [16] |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ishq Ibadat | Sahil |
| 2016 | Mera Dard Na Janay Koi | Bilal |
| Wafa | Hashir | |
| Gila | Sanwal/Ramis | |
| Ahsas | Zohaib Adil | |
| 2017 | Zoya Sawleha | Faris |
| Mere Dil Mere Musafir | Hasan | |
| Hari Hari Churiyan | Ali | |
| Dil Nawaz | Fawad | |
| 2018 | Haiwan | Maan |
| Mah-e-Tamaam | Taqi Lodhi | |
| 2019 | Dil-e-Bereham | Tabish |
| Bharam | Maarif Ali | |
| Ehd-e-Wafa | Shariq Habib | |
| Haqeeqat | Asif | |
| 2020 | Mera Maan Rakhna | Mohid |
| Bikhray Moti | Ahad | |
| Ghisi Piti Mohabbat | Rizwan aka Riz | |
| 2021 | Ishq Jalebi | Basim Hussain |
| Fitoor | Hamza Sadiq | |
| Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi | Jamshed aka Jimmy | |
| Jo Bichar Gaye | Shafi Imam Rumi | |
| 2022-2023 | Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha | Saad Hussain |
| Tere Bin | Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan | |
| 2023 | Jurm | Daniyal Mujib |
| 22 Qadam | Junaid Malik [17] | |
| 2023-24 | Mein | Zaid Asif |
| 2024-25 | Sunn Mere Dil | Bilal Abdullah |
| 2025 | Jinn Ki Shaadi Un Ki Shaadi | Ali |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bitiya Hamaray Zamanay Mein | Fahad |
| 2020 | Love Siyapa | Shahabuddin aka Shobi |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Team Muhafiz | Reza (voice over) | Animated series |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Hum Awards | Best Soap Actor | Ishq Ibadat | Nominated | [18] |
| 2019 | ARY Social Media Awards | Best Newcomer Male | Haiwan | Won | [19] |
| 2021 | ARY People's Choice Awards | Favourite Jodi (with Ramsha Khan) | Ghisi Piti Mohabbat | Nominated | [20] |
| 2024 | Hum Style Awards | Most Stylish Television Actor - Male | Himself | Nominated | [21] |
| 2025 | Lux Style Awards | Best TV Actor Male - Viewer’s Choice | Tere Bin | Won | [22] |
| Best TV Actor Male - Critics’ Choice | Nominated | ||||
| Film Actor of the Year Male - Viewer’s Choice | Teri Meri Kahaniyaan | Won |