Wahaj Ali (Urdu: وہاج علی, born 1 December 1988) is a Pakistani actor known for his appearance on 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 has also appeared in other notable roles. In 2023, Ali earned wider recognition, especially across the South Asian continent, for his portrayal of Murtasim Khan in the romance drama Tere Bin.[2][3]
Ali was born on 1 December 1988 into a Punjabi Muslim family in Lahore, Punjab.[4][1] His father worked in the government, and his mother was a teacher.[5] The only child of his parents, Ali is a business graduate, with a specialization in finance.[6] His parents wanted him to take the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam and join the civil service, but his inclination was towards acting.
Ali then earned his Masters in Multimedia Arts from the National College of Arts.[7] He met his wife, Sana Farooq, during an internship program on Samaa TV and married on 3rd March, 2016. The couple had a daughter in 2017, Amirah Wahaj Ali.
Ali began his career as a theater actor in 2007 before joining a TV channel in the news and programming department.[8] 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), Ishq Jalebi (2021) and central role in a social drama Dil Na Umeed To Nahi in 2021 as well.
Ali characterized the pivotal role of Shariq Habib in the ISPR show Ehd-e-Wafa in 2020. He received critical acclaim and favourable critiques for embodying the character of Bangladeshi freedom fighter Shafi Imam Rumi in the period drama Jo Bichar Gaye in 2021.
Ali’s portrayals as Ahad, a man in challenging situations in Bikhray Moti, the happy-go-lucky Rizwan in Ghisi Piti Mohabbat, the irascible Basim in Ishq Jalebi, an amateur Jimmy in Dil Na Umeed To Nahi.
Ali’s career was propelled further with his intricate personification as gloomy but winsome Saad Hussein in ARY Digital’s romantic drama Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha opposite Hania Aamir and especially due to his portrayal of Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan in Geo Tv’s romance drama serial Tere Bin opposite his previous co-star Yumna Zaidi from Dil Na Umeed To Nahi. Post his sweeping fame, Ali depicted the equivocal anguishes of a layered character in Geo Tv’s mystery-thriller miniseries Jurm where he exhibited the appearance of the charming convict Daniyal.
In June 2023, he made his Lollywood debut with an anthology film Teri Meri Kahaniyaan co-starring Mehwish Hayat directed by Nadeem Baig which was released theatrically on Eid al-Adha, and met with mixed reviews. He is currently personifying the role of a cricket player Junaid in a newly-launched channel Green Entertainment’s social women-empowerment drama series 22 Qadam, opposite Hareem Farooq.
Also seen in ARY Digital's drama titled Mein where he's portraying Zaid Shahwani, which is penned by Zanjabeel Asim Shah, under the direction of Badar Mehmood and production by Big Bang Entertainment, opposite Ayeza Khan.
Ali has established himself as one of the leading Urdu television actor.[9] Dawn noted, "The fact that all his different avatars have been so well-received is testament to his talent."[10] 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."[11] He has been placed in Hello Pakistan's HOT100 list, in the "Trailblazers" category.[12] Ali has received the "Sexiest Heartthrob" title at Hello Magazine Awards in 2023.[13] He serves as an ambassador for a number of brands such as Head & Shoulders and 7 Up.[14]