A software engineer by profession, Ali Sayed’s short film “Welcome to AL” has been selected in two international film festivals. Ali takes it as a major boost for someone who started making movies just out of passion.
Sayed is the son of late Sayed Sultan, who penned Bollywood hits like Ankush and Mr Natwarlal. “However, It was not easy being a writer in Bollywood,” says Ali adding, “Financial uncertainty was a major problem. You never feel secured. I saw hard times too. I think that is why my father never pushed me to join the film industry.”
Therefore, Ali Sayed became a software engineer and moved to Australia. Films, however, never left him alone. And one day he bought a camera and started shooting.
“Initially, I made films to post on YouTube.Then I started submitting them to film festivals,” says Ali who is now a screened filmmaker.
Ali Syed with an actor at the sets of "Welcome to AL" Source: Supplied
Ali proudly shares the experience of making films without any budget. “My films are virtually zero budget films. I have the equipment, and that was the only investment I made into films. I have a friend who helps me with photography. I hire fresh actors who want to make a good portfolio,” he says.
Ali believes in doing. He says, “I had no resources when I started, but I wanted it so badly that everything fell into place as the time passed. I guess, doing is the key.”
A still from "Welcome to AL" Source: Supplied
