Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: Difference between revisions

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| organization = Addrian Productions (Founder), TERPAC Plastic Inc. (Country Manager)

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'''Ali Zulfikar Zahedi''' (born 1 January 1976) is a Bangladeshi film director, screenwriter, producer, lyricist, and business executive.<ref name="IMDb">[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13451073/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – IMDb]</ref><ref name="WFCN">[https://www.wfcn.co/person/ali-zulfikar-zahedi Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – WFCN]</ref> He is best known for his internationally recognized feature film ''Kagoj'' (''The Paper''), which received multiple awards on the international film festival circuit.<ref name="Songbad">[https://songbadprokash.com/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95/ "মুক্তির আগেই আন্তর্জাতিক পুরস্কার পেল 'কাগজ'"] – Songbad Prokash (in Bengali)</ref> His career uniquely combines artistic contribution in film and music with senior leadership in multinational business.<ref name="Limitless">[https://limitless-magazine.com/2023/05/04/meet-ali-zulfikar-zahedi-the-multitalented-bangladeshi-film-director-and-producer/ Meet Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: The Multitalented Bangladeshi Film Director and Producer] – Limitless Magazine</ref>

== Early life and education ==

Zahedi was born in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, and spent his early years in Bogura.<ref name="Mabumbe">[https://mabumbe.com/ali-zulfikar-zahedi/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – Mabumbe]</ref> He developed an interest in literature during his school years, publishing poetry in local magazines while in the sixth standard.<ref name="Rupalibangladesh">[https://www.rupalibangladesh.com/2025/02/05/%e0%a6%9c%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%b2%e0%a6%ab%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%95%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%9c%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b9%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%80%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%aa%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%a5%e0%a6%ae-%e0%a6%89/ জুলফিকার জাহেদীর প্রথম উপন্যাস 'অক্ষরের ফাঁদ'] – Rupalibangladesh (in Bengali)</ref>

He completed a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management (PGDPM), with studies in Bangladesh, India, and the United Kingdom.<ref name="LinkedIn">[https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-zulfikar-zahedi Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – LinkedIn]</ref>

== Corporate career ==

Zahedi began his career in multinational corporations, starting as a sales executive and later holding senior leadership positions.<ref name="News24Hrs">[https://news24hours.in/ali-zulfikar-zahedi-the-visionary-filmmaker-putting-bangladesh-on-the-global-cinema-map/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: The Visionary Filmmaker Putting Bangladesh on the Global Cinema Map] – News24Hours.in</ref> As of 2025, he serves as the Country Manager for Canadian multinational corporation TERPAC Plastic Inc., managing operations across Bangladesh, India, and Egypt.<ref name="LinkedIn"/>

== Entry into film and creative industries ==

Zahedi maintained a passion for writing and creative storytelling alongside his corporate career. He founded '''Addrian Productions''' to produce films with global appeal.<ref name="Addrian">[https://addrianproductions.com/plan-of-ali-zulfikar-zahedi-to-make-bangladeshi-film-globally-competitive/ Plan of Ali Zulfikar Zahedi to Make Bangladeshi Film Globally Competitive] – Addrian Productions</ref> His early works include producing ''Aschorjo Ek Sporsho'' (2014) and ''Pocket'' (2016).

== Film career ==

=== Early works ===

Zahedi made his directorial debut with the short film ''The Sound'' (2020), which was screened internationally and praised for its social themes.<ref name="FilmDaily">[https://filmdaily.co/news/ali-zulfikar-zahedi-bangladeshi-filmmaker-eager-to-dazzle-bollywood/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: Bangladeshi filmmaker eager to dazzle Bollywood] – FilmDaily</ref> He also directed ''Covid2020'', a short film exploring the human impact of the global pandemic.<ref name="SilverScreen">[https://silverscreencineplex.com/ali-zulfikar-zahedi/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – Silver Screen Cineplex]</ref>

=== Major projects ===

His most notable work, ''Kagoj (The Paper)'' (2022), was acclaimed for its storytelling and cinematography and won multiple international awards.<ref name="Songbad"/><ref name="BusinessPost">[https://businesspostbd.com/show-biz/zahedis-kagoj-receives-censor-certificate Zahedi's 'Kagoj' receives censor certificate] – Business Post</ref><ref name="CICFF">[https://hlc-cicff.com/cicff-film-festival-results/ CICFF Film Festival Results]</ref> The film has been recognized as a milestone in elevating Bangladeshi cinema on the global stage.

In 2025, Zahedi announced a new feature project titled ''Cholochittra: The Cinema'', starring actress Runa Khan.<ref name="DailyStar">[https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/runa-khan-joins-cast-cholochittra-the-cinema-3668851 Runa Khan joins cast of 'Cholochittra: The Cinema'] – The Daily Star</ref><ref name="DailySun">[https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/789769/Chalachitra:-The-Cinema-tells-heroines-offscreen-life 'Chalachitra: The Cinema' tells heroine's off-screen life] – Daily Sun</ref>

=== Selected filmography ===

* ''Kagoj – The Paper'' (2022) – Director/Producer/Writer<ref name="IMDb"/><ref name="Songbad"/><ref name="BusinessPost"/><ref name="CICFF"/>

* ''The Sound'' (2020, short) – Director/Producer/Writer<ref name="IMDb"/><ref name="FilmDaily"/>

* ''Covid2020'' (2020, short) – Director/Producer/Writer<ref name="IMDb"/><ref name="SilverScreen"/>

* ''Pocket'' (2016, TV movie) – Director/Producer<ref name="IMDb"/>

* ''The Clay'' (2018, short) – Producer<ref name="IMDb"/>

* ''Aschorjo Ek Sporsho'' (2014, TV special) – Producer<ref name="IMDb"/>

== Industry involvement and recognition ==

Zahedi is a member of multiple industry associations, including the Bangladesh Film Director Association (BFDC), Bangladesh Film Producer and Distribution Association, and the Bangladesh TV Directors Guild.<ref name="WFCN"/> He is also a life member of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) and the Indian Film and Television Director Association (IFTDA).

His works have been showcased in film festivals worldwide, and he has been profiled by both Bangladeshi and international media for his contributions to cinema.<ref name="News24Hrs"/><ref name="FilmDaily"/>

== Personal life ==

Ali Zulfikar Zahedi married Samia Habib on 14 March 2014. They have a son, Ali Addrian Zahedi.<ref name="Mabumbe"/>

== Legacy and influence ==

Zahedi’s career trajectory, moving from corporate leadership to filmmaking, has been described as inspirational for South Asian creatives.<ref name="Limitless"/> He continues to work toward advancing Bangladeshi cinema and promoting local storytelling internationally.<ref name="Addrian"/>

== References ==

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 | organization       = Addrian Productions (Founder), TERPAC Plastic Inc. (Country Manager)
 }}
+'''Ali Zulfikar Zahedi''' (born 1 January 1976) is a Bangladeshi film director, screenwriter, producer, lyricist, and business executive.<ref name="IMDb">[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13451073/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – IMDb]</ref><ref name="WFCN">[https://www.wfcn.co/person/ali-zulfikar-zahedi Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – WFCN]</ref> He is best known for his internationally recognized feature film ''Kagoj'' (''The Paper''), which received multiple awards on the international film festival circuit.<ref name="Songbad">[https://songbadprokash.com/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95/ "মুক্তির আগেই আন্তর্জাতিক পুরস্কার পেল 'কাগজ'"] – Songbad Prokash (in Bengali)</ref> His career uniquely combines artistic contribution in film and music with senior leadership in multinational business.<ref name="Limitless">[https://limitless-magazine.com/2023/05/04/meet-ali-zulfikar-zahedi-the-multitalented-bangladeshi-film-director-and-producer/ Meet Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: The Multitalented Bangladeshi Film Director and Producer] – Limitless Magazine</ref>
+== Early life and education ==
+Zahedi was born in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, and spent his early years in Bogura.<ref name="Mabumbe">[https://mabumbe.com/ali-zulfikar-zahedi/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – Mabumbe]</ref> He developed an interest in literature during his school years, publishing poetry in local magazines while in the sixth standard.<ref name="Rupalibangladesh">[https://www.rupalibangladesh.com/2025/02/05/%e0%a6%9c%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%b2%e0%a6%ab%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%95%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%9c%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b9%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%80%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%aa%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%a5%e0%a6%ae-%e0%a6%89/ জুলফিকার জাহেদীর প্রথম উপন্যাস 'অক্ষরের ফাঁদ'] – Rupalibangladesh (in Bengali)</ref>
+He completed a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management (PGDPM), with studies in Bangladesh, India, and the United Kingdom.<ref name="LinkedIn">[https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-zulfikar-zahedi Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – LinkedIn]</ref>
+== Corporate career ==
+Zahedi began his career in multinational corporations, starting as a sales executive and later holding senior leadership positions.<ref name="News24Hrs">[https://news24hours.in/ali-zulfikar-zahedi-the-visionary-filmmaker-putting-bangladesh-on-the-global-cinema-map/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: The Visionary Filmmaker Putting Bangladesh on the Global Cinema Map] – News24Hours.in</ref> As of 2025, he serves as the Country Manager for Canadian multinational corporation TERPAC Plastic Inc., managing operations across Bangladesh, India, and Egypt.<ref name="LinkedIn"/>
+== Entry into film and creative industries ==
+Zahedi maintained a passion for writing and creative storytelling alongside his corporate career. He founded '''Addrian Productions''' to produce films with global appeal.<ref name="Addrian">[https://addrianproductions.com/plan-of-ali-zulfikar-zahedi-to-make-bangladeshi-film-globally-competitive/ Plan of Ali Zulfikar Zahedi to Make Bangladeshi Film Globally Competitive] – Addrian Productions</ref> His early works include producing ''Aschorjo Ek Sporsho'' (2014) and ''Pocket'' (2016).
+== Film career ==
+=== Early works ===
+Zahedi made his directorial debut with the short film ''The Sound'' (2020), which was screened internationally and praised for its social themes.<ref name="FilmDaily">[https://filmdaily.co/news/ali-zulfikar-zahedi-bangladeshi-filmmaker-eager-to-dazzle-bollywood/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: Bangladeshi filmmaker eager to dazzle Bollywood] – FilmDaily</ref> He also directed ''Covid2020'', a short film exploring the human impact of the global pandemic.<ref name="SilverScreen">[https://silverscreencineplex.com/ali-zulfikar-zahedi/ Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – Silver Screen Cineplex]</ref>
+=== Major projects ===
+His most notable work, ''Kagoj (The Paper)'' (2022), was acclaimed for its storytelling and cinematography and won multiple international awards.<ref name="Songbad"/><ref name="BusinessPost">[https://businesspostbd.com/show-biz/zahedis-kagoj-receives-censor-certificate Zahedi's 'Kagoj' receives censor certificate] – Business Post</ref><ref name="CICFF">[https://hlc-cicff.com/cicff-film-festival-results/ CICFF Film Festival Results]</ref> The film has been recognized as a milestone in elevating Bangladeshi cinema on the global stage.
+In 2025, Zahedi announced a new feature project titled ''Cholochittra: The Cinema'', starring actress Runa Khan.<ref name="DailyStar">[https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/runa-khan-joins-cast-cholochittra-the-cinema-3668851 Runa Khan joins cast of 'Cholochittra: The Cinema'] – The Daily Star</ref><ref name="DailySun">[https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/789769/Chalachitra:-The-Cinema-tells-heroines-offscreen-life 'Chalachitra: The Cinema' tells heroine's off-screen life] – Daily Sun</ref>
+=== Selected filmography ===
+* ''Kagoj – The Paper'' (2022) – Director/Producer/Writer<ref name="IMDb"/><ref name="Songbad"/><ref name="BusinessPost"/><ref name="CICFF"/>
+* ''The Sound'' (2020, short) – Director/Producer/Writer<ref name="IMDb"/><ref name="FilmDaily"/>
+* ''Covid2020'' (2020, short) – Director/Producer/Writer<ref name="IMDb"/><ref name="SilverScreen"/>
+* ''Pocket'' (2016, TV movie) – Director/Producer<ref name="IMDb"/>
+* ''The Clay'' (2018, short) – Producer<ref name="IMDb"/>
+* ''Aschorjo Ek Sporsho'' (2014, TV special) – Producer<ref name="IMDb"/>
+== Industry involvement and recognition ==
+Zahedi is a member of multiple industry associations, including the Bangladesh Film Director Association (BFDC), Bangladesh Film Producer and Distribution Association, and the Bangladesh TV Directors Guild.<ref name="WFCN"/> He is also a life member of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) and the Indian Film and Television Director Association (IFTDA).
+His works have been showcased in film festivals worldwide, and he has been profiled by both Bangladeshi and international media for his contributions to cinema.<ref name="News24Hrs"/><ref name="FilmDaily"/>
+== Personal life ==
+Ali Zulfikar Zahedi married Samia Habib on 14 March 2014. They have a son, Ali Addrian Zahedi.<ref name="Mabumbe"/>
+== Legacy and influence ==
+Zahedi’s career trajectory, moving from corporate leadership to filmmaking, has been described as inspirational for South Asian creatives.<ref name="Limitless"/> He continues to work toward advancing Bangladeshi cinema and promoting local storytelling internationally.<ref name="Addrian"/>
+== References ==
+<references/>