Ali Zulfikar Zahedi
Ali Zulfikar Zahedi (born 1 January 1976) is a Bangladeshi film director, screenwriter, producer, lyricist, and business executive.[1][2] He is best known for his internationally recognized feature film Kagoj (The Paper), which received multiple awards on the international film festival circuit.[3] His career uniquely combines artistic contribution in film and music with senior leadership in multinational business.[4]
Early life and education
Zahedi was born in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, and spent his early years in Bogura.[5] He developed an interest in literature during his school years, publishing poetry in local magazines while in the sixth standard.[6] 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.[7]
Corporate career
Zahedi began his career in multinational corporations, starting as a sales executive and later holding senior leadership positions.[8] As of 2025, he serves as the Country Manager for Canadian multinational corporation TERPAC Plastic Inc., managing operations across Bangladesh, India, and Egypt.[7]
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.[9] 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.[10] He also directed Covid2020, a short film exploring the human impact of the global pandemic.[11]
Major projects
His most notable work, Kagoj (The Paper) (2022), was acclaimed for its storytelling and cinematography and won multiple international awards.[3][12][13] 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.[14][15]
Selected filmography
- Kagoj – The Paper (2022) – Director/Producer/Writer[1][3][12][13]
- The Sound (2020, short) – Director/Producer/Writer[1][10]
- Covid2020 (2020, short) – Director/Producer/Writer[1][11]
- Pocket (2016, TV movie) – Director/Producer[1]
- The Clay (2018, short) – Producer[1]
- Aschorjo Ek Sporsho (2014, TV special) – Producer[1]
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.[2] 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.[8][10]
Personal life
Ali Zulfikar Zahedi married Samia Habib on 14 March 2014. They have a son, Ali Addrian Zahedi.[5]
Legacy and influence
Zahedi’s career trajectory, moving from corporate leadership to filmmaking, has been described as inspirational for South Asian creatives.[4] He continues to work toward advancing Bangladeshi cinema and promoting local storytelling internationally.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – IMDb
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – WFCN
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "মুক্তির আগেই আন্তর্জাতিক পুরস্কার পেল 'কাগজ'" – Songbad Prokash (in Bengali)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Meet Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: The Multitalented Bangladeshi Film Director and Producer – Limitless Magazine
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – Mabumbe
- ↑ জুলফিকার জাহেদীর প্রথম উপন্যাস 'অক্ষরের ফাঁদ' – Rupalibangladesh (in Bengali)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – LinkedIn
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: The Visionary Filmmaker Putting Bangladesh on the Global Cinema Map – News24Hours.in
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Plan of Ali Zulfikar Zahedi to Make Bangladeshi Film Globally Competitive – Addrian Productions
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Ali Zulfikar Zahedi: Bangladeshi filmmaker eager to dazzle Bollywood – FilmDaily
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Ali Zulfikar Zahedi – Silver Screen Cineplex
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Zahedi's 'Kagoj' receives censor certificate – Business Post
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 CICFF Film Festival Results
- ↑ Runa Khan joins cast of 'Cholochittra: The Cinema' – The Daily Star
- ↑ 'Chalachitra: The Cinema' tells heroine's off-screen life – Daily Sun