Anwar Ali turns 81: Mehmood was somewhat protective of me, admired my independent line of thought, he knew he could rely on me - Exclusive

There is more to Anwar Ali than being the celebrated sibling of Mehmood. An actor from childhood, Anwar Ali, who celebrates his 81st birthday on March 10, is a lifelong actor, producer, and doyen of Hindi cinema.
I am a young one at 81! Apart from the buildup to the birthday, marked by happy reminders and a daily fitness regime to withstand the ambitious celebration (laughs), the presence of loved ones who make up my circle of life—through their mere being, their loving messages, their calls, their visits, and their blessings—will make my day truly special!
This juncture is no different from any other! To me, birthdays are a continued celebration of life. Life is beautiful in every shape and form, through every stage and phase. I dwell in a perpetual state of gratitude and contentment. Birthdays are a reminder of the great gift of life and the greatest gift of love. It is a realization that we needn’t wait for one day of the year to wish, bless, or gift another. Gifting happiness is a noble attribute.

Although there are many, what spontaneously comes to mind are undoubtedly the following:
Saat Hindustani—Although I had featured in Seema at the young age of twelve, my foray into films was through the great Abbas Saab’s Saat Hindustani. Under his visionary direction, I had a meaningful role and earned a lifelong friend. Saat Hindustani gave me it all. What followed were some very interesting acting opportunities offered by legendary greats like Nasir Hussain Saab, S. Ramanathan Ji, etc.
Khud-Daar – This was my first film as a producer, independent of family tie-ups. Earlier, I had co-produced Kunwaara Baap and a couple of other films with Mehmood Bhaijaan, but Khud-Daar was the icing on the cake. My friend Farouq Rattonsey and I partnered to produce a big superhit, the kind that made crorepatis. It also reinforced my preference and love for filmmaking over acting.
There is no start date to this journey, no shelf life, and no expiry date. The spiritual journey is a fascinating one. Was it my father’s extremely generous nature, Mehmood Bhai’s courage in sharing opportunities without insecurity, my encounters with the wise along the way, or my own calling? I don’t know what led me to delve into the depths of humanity, religions, and the indivisible human connection. But gaining this experience helped me give without the least expectation and receive with abundant gratitude. It helped me forge meaningful relationships and achieve a greater understanding of people, materialism, and life itself.
On the contrary! Our family’s contribution to cinema started with my father, Mumtaz Ali, the first male dancer of Hindi cinema and an integral part of Bombay Talkies. Bhaijaan extended opportunities to one and all. He advised me to first work as a peon in his office and work my way up. We made our choices, and I found my interest in film production over acting. It is often said that not much can grow under a massive tree, but Bhaijaan was like a banyan tree—new talent, multiple tie-ups, various initiatives flourished under him.
Oh, he was such a prankster when we were kids, always pulling my leg! I was the youngest of eight. As we worked on film projects together, we shared mutual respect. He appreciated my recommendations when spotting potential talent in various departments of filmmaking and discussed scripts and strategies with me. He was somewhat protective of me and, at the same time, admired my independent line of thought. He knew he could rely on me.
My mother, for her determination and willpower; Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan (Dad), for his faith and philosophy; Kamal Babu Barjatya, for his simplicity and uniqueness; Amitabh (Bidoo), for his discipline and steadfastness; and Akaar (my son), for his courage of conviction and resilience. The learning never stops.
The ones who bring their own skill set, enthusiasm, and spirit to the table. The unwavering, striving ones. Those who work on their strengths and work harder to compete with themselves. The ones who are fearless and secure in their space—those are the ones I admire the most.