Hamisha Daryani Ahuja

Last updated

Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja
Born
Hamisha Daryani

1985 [1]
Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian [2]
Alma mater ACS International School
McMaster University
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Occupations
  • Producer
  • director
  • actress
  • businesswoman
Years active2021–present
SpouseSailesh Ahuja
Children2

Hamisha Daryani Ahuja is a Nigerian film producer, director, actress and businesswoman based in Nigeria. Ahuja made her directorial and acting debut in the Nollywood-Bollywood cross-cultural film Namaste Wahala . [3] [4] [5] [1]

Contents

Early life

Ahuja grew up in Lagos and is a third-generation Nigerian born to an Indian-origin family. [3] [6] She attended ACS International School, Cobham, [7] McMaster University, Ontario, and American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York, where she studied acting. [8] She runs a chain of restaurants in Lagos. [9]

Career

Ahuja runs her production company Forever 7 Entertainment and also made her filmmaking debut as a director and actress in the 2021 film Namaste Wahala, a cross-cultural venture of the Nigerian film industry Nollywood and the Indian film industry, Bollywood. [4] [10] [5] The project was a venture to combine elements of both Bollywood and Nollywood film industries, which Ahuja used to create a love story between the two film industries. [11] [12]

Ahuja is bringing to the big screen a film starring Nollywood superstar Sola Sobowale, also known as "Toyin Tomato," and Samuel Perry, better known as "Broda Shaggi," in an effort to further promote the partnership between the Nollywood and Bollywood film industries. The director has promised fans that her newest project will surpass her first one, even though other information are still being kept under wraps. [13]

Ahuja's next venture Postcards was released in 2024. It follows the lives of four Nigerians who discover love, acceptance, and prosperity in India after embarking on individual journeys of self-discovery whilst conquering their fears. [14]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleDirectorRoleNotes
2021 Namaste Wahala YesLeila Nollywood-Bollywood debut, Netflix

TV Series

YearTitleDirectorRoleNotes
2024 Postcards YesFilm Producer Netflix

Awards and nominations

YearAward ceremonyPrizeFilmResultRef
2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Director of the Year Namaste Wahala Nominated [15]

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References

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  2. "#LLAInterview: "The way to handle failure is move on, keep going, don't stop" – Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, Producer of critically acclaimed 'Namaste Wahala'". Leading Ladies Africa. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 Beshudi, Adam (June 2021). "From Stream To Flood". IMF. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  4. 1 2 Narang, Nimarta (16 June 2021). "Why Director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja Wants More Movies About Cross-Cultural Love". Oprah Daily. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  5. 1 2 Kalsi, Harleen (20 February 2021). ""The movie was intentionally cliché," says 'Namaste Wahala' director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja". Lifestyle Asia. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
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  7. "HAMISHA DARYANI AHUJA, ACS COBHAM, 1997-2002". ACS Schools. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
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  9. "Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja". Pulse Nigeria. 25 March 2016. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  10. Chandar, Bhuvanesh (24 February 2021). "With love, from Nigeria: 'Namaste Wahala' filmmaker Hamisha Daryani Ahuja on her journey". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  11. Aisha Salaudeen. "Bollywood and Nollywood collide in a tale of a big fat Indian-Nigerian wedding". CNN. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  12. "Ahuja's debut film 'Namaste Wahala' is a tale of cross-cultural love affair". www.gulftoday.ae. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
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