Azfar Ali

Behind some of the most ground breaking Pakistani TV productions of recent times is a Karachi-based director and TV artist Azfar Ali. He completed his studies in Graphics Design from Barnet College London, UK and Concept Writing and Idea Development from Miami Advertising College, USA.

After working for just six months under supervision at Combined Productions in 1994, Azfar Ali was given his own show as an associate director –Music Channel Charts. His first show received such a great reception nationwide that turned into an exclusive podium for the nation’s music talent to gain TV audience.

Azfar’s next hit show Video CountDown continued to remain a coveted spot in the weekly TV schedules for its more than 150 episodes. His direction portfolio expanded at a constant pace and he continued to turn his directions into memorable programmes. The Potluck (Cooking Show), Jaal (Soap Opera), Daira (Telefilm) and Jo Baat Ghar Mei Hai (Soap Opera) are some of the major landmarks both in his career and Pakistani TV.

Azfar’s most evolved creative work in direction, conceptualization and satire, as he puts it, are more of an effort to connect to his audience, to share a viewpoint, and to force audience to attend to a particular issue at hand. He has been behind some very provocative expressions of art on the screen pertaining to socio-political issues that have remained evasive of society’s discussion boards.

In 2004, Azfar teamed up with Mani to form a duo that created an unforeseen fan following of their late-night radio show, turning both of them into youth icons at the forefront of a new style of using mass media. Known for stirring controversies, the show hinted a brewing urban culture which was yet to find its ways into mainstream media.

Azfar Ali’s most distinguishing claim to fame is his style of humour which has found its way into TV productions in general. ‘Sub Set Hai’, the first sitcom Azfar directed and acted in, popularized a new style of TV shows that got amply replicated in the industry. ‘Ab Set Hai’ continued the sequel with yet another humorous journey of the same characters. His other direction ‘Mei Aur Tum’ remained well received for its more than 100 episodes.

Azfar Ali has remained Vice President of ARY Music from 2006 to 2007. He is also working with Geo as an executive producer for AAG TV, and is currently the head of AAG Films.