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 ‘Lock Upp’ in which his ex-wife Sara Khan was his co-contestant.
Wiki/Biography
Ali Merchant was born on Tuesday, 13 December 1988 (age 33 years; as of 2021) in Mumbai. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
A childhood picture of Ali Merchant with his mother
He did his schooling at St. Aloysius High School, Bandra, Mumbai. He then attended R. D. National College, Bandra, Mumbai.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Ali Merchant was born in a Shia Muslim family.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Abbas Merchant, and his mother’s name is Salma Merchant.
Ali Merchant with his father
Ali Merchant with his mother
Wife
In 2010, while he was in Bigg Boss house, he got married to the Indian actor Sara Khan. Their marriage became the talk of the town as he was one of the few Indian actors, who got married in a TV reality show. Reportedly, Sara and Ali were paid Rs. 5 million by the Colors channel for getting married on national television. Their marriage did not last long and within two months of their marriage, the couple got divorced. In 2011, when Ali was invited as a guest on the 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 that. Getting into Bigg Boss and then marrying Sara were the biggest mistakes of my career. Actually, being in a relationship with her 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 have been doing a daily soap and that made me popular and got me the reality show. Besides, I married Ali because I loved him and not for money or to gain some cheap publicity as many say. My marriage turned out to be a nightmare. I am deeply hurt by his behaviour. I gave him a thousand chances before I called off the relationship. But now we are separate and I believe in the saying that all that happens, happens for good. I don’t want to look back. I want to see forward and do better work than before.”
On 29 January 2016, he got married to the Indian investment banker Anam Merchant. In an interview, while talking about his marriage, Ali said,
There is no pomp and show as she is not from the industry. We are having a party on January 27, nikaah on 29 and reception on 30. I feel as if I am starting a new chapter of my life. I am hoping that 2016 will be great for me — both on the professional and personal front. Having said that, I want my work to speak rather than my personal life being in focus.”
Ali Merchant and Aman’s wedding picture
Later, in an interview, Ali revealed that he got divorced from his wife Anam as their lifestyles were very different. He further said,
We were together for 4 to 5 years. I think our philosophy of life was not matching. Our thought-processes were not matching. She is an amazing girl and she accepts that I am a nice person. Look, my lifestyle became different. DJ brought in nightlife in my life, which had alcohol all around. Those live shows could not make me reach home in time. During the day, she was at her workplace. We couldn’t get sufficient time together. But what could I do? I had just resurrected my career.”
Career
Model and Host
He started his career as a model, and at the age of 17, he participated in Mr. Bombay contest and won the title. He has also hosted three consecutive seasons of ‘Gladrags Mega Model and Manhunt’ that aired on Channel V. He has also appeared in a Hindi music video titled “Haye Mera Dil” (2018) by Teenu Arora.
A still from the music video Haye Mera Dil (2018)
Actor
He started his career as an actor with the Hindi TV serial ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’ (2000) in which he played the role of Bharat Agarwal. In 2006 and 2007, he appeared in the episodic TV show ‘Ssshhhh…Phir Koi Hai.’ He then acted in a few Hindi TV serials like ‘Amber Dhara’ (2007), ‘Rubi’ (2008), ‘Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar’ (2009), ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ (2009), and ‘Bandini’ (2010).
Ali Merchant in Amber Dhara
Musician
He has also worked as a musician with various music labels such as T-Series, Zee Music Company, and Speed Records. In 2018, he released two Hindi music albums titled ‘Tabaahi’ 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, Vini Vici, and Ritviz. Some of his major events as a DJ are:
- Bollyboom Ali Merchant India club tour (5 Cities; 2018)
- Opened the DaBang Concert at Coca-Cola arena for Bollywood Actors (November 2019)
- Bollyboom 2020 shared stage with Diljit Dosanjh (February 2020)
- Sunburn Holi shared the stage with Vini Vici and Ritviz (March 2020)
Ali Merchant DJing at a party
Other Work
In 2016, he participated in the celebrity cricket league ‘Box Cricket League 2’ as a part of the Mumbai Tigers team.
Ali Merchant with Mumbai Tigers team members
Earlier, he auditioned for the TV reality show ‘MTV Roadies,’ but he could not clear the auditions. Ali participated as one of the wild contestants in the online TV series ‘Lock Upp’ (2022).
Ali Merchant and Sara Khan in Lock Upp
Facts/Trivia
- Ali Merchant’s nickname is Minnu.
- During an interview, he shared that after his divorce from Sara Khan in 2010, his professional life was affected. He said,
I had taken a break from acting after the controversy erupted in my life. It became very difficult for me to accept the roles that I started getting after the controversy- all controversial roles, halke roles. I decided that I’d rather do some other work for some time. So I took up 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 amongst the top five or ten best DJs of India.”
- He has received various awards for his work as a DJ including the best trending DJ by Celeb M Awards in 2019.
Ali Merchant holding his award
- In 2022, while he was in the TV series ‘Lock Upp,’ he shared that he had cheated on Sara Khan while she was in the Bigg Boss house (2010). He said,
I was 23 years old then. Our generation was very naive and immature at that age. So I thought this is a good opportunity to make history by getting married in the 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. Big Boss After coming out of the house, I realized that there is a lot of trouble between our family. I was mad at all this. I didn’t know what to do.”
He continued,
Even in the 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 I got deluded there. I met a girl. We talked on the phone. I was blown away and regretted it very much. I wanted to tell this to Sarah. She was on the show then. The girl I met was in touch with Sara’s maternal uncle and he told them everything. Everything came in the media. Everything fell apart before I could do damage control. Only then did we decide that we would part ways. Ali Merchant also told that even after the separation, Sara wanted to meet him, but by then some other girl had come in his life and he wanted to move on.”
- Ali Merchant owns a BMW motorcycle.
Ali Merchant sitting on his motorcycle
- He is often spotted smoking at parties and events.
