Ali made his television debut with
Nukkad in 1986 in the role of Raja. The series was by
Kundan Shah and
Saeed Akhtar Mirza. This was followed by
Circus (1989), directed by
Aziz Mirza, where he played the role of Ringmaster. Also acting in the series were actor
Shahrukh Khan and director
Ashutosh Gowariker. Over the years, he has worked as a character actor, with director Aziz Mirza in
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000),
Chalte Chalte (2003) and
Kismat Konnection (2008); With
Sudhir Mishra in
Main Zinda Hoon (1988) and
Khoya Khoya Chand (2007); and with his former co-actor Gowariker in
Baazi (1995) and
Jodhaa Akbar (2008), in the latter he was also the writer of the film and co-screenplay writer, and had a cameo role in the song
Khwaja Mere Khwaja. ==Filmography==