Biography

Lucky Ali (Maqsood Mahmood Ali) is the second of the eight children of the popular Bollywood comedian, Mahmood. His mother Mahelaka, was part Bengali and part Afghani, the sister of a popular Indian actress of the 1960s - Meena Kumari. He attended Manekji Cooper (Juhu) (Kindergarten) Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai, Hampton Court in Mussoorie, St. Georges College in Mussoorie, and St. Bishop Cottons Boys School, Bangalore. ^[1] His first wife is Meaghan Jane McCleary also known as Maymunah who accepted Islam after marrying Lucky Ali. She acted in the video O Sanam from his first album Sunoh. Lucky Ali has two children from his first wife - Ta'awwuz and Tasmia. His second wife, Inaya (maiden name Anahita). Originally a Parsi, she also accepted Islam after marriage. Lucky Ali has two children from his second wife, Sara and Raiyan.

albums

His first composition was a three-chord lament called 'Nobody Loves Me'. Lucky Ali was gifted a guitar at age 13. He taught himself to play it.From music it went to horses, and then to acting, and direction, further on tor roughnecking on the rigs, to washing carpets finally returned to music Lucky made his debut on the Indian pop scene with the soulful album Sunoh which established him as a pop singer. This album won many of the top awards in Indian music, including the Best Pop Male Vocalist at the 1996 Screen Awards and the Channel V Viewers Choice Award in 1997. It stayed on the MTV Asia Charts for 60 weeks. The song O Sanam from Sunoh, launched his career and is considered by some to be one of the best indi-pop songs ever.^[1] His next album, Sifar, wasn't quite as successful as Sunoh, but it was noted for its music, lyrics and vocals. Lucky Ali is known for his distinctive music style and also for his husky voice. His third album and fourth albums were Aks and Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai, both of which were reasonably successful. He is also known for contributing the song "Anjaani Raahon Mein" to the album "Meri Jaan Hindustan" which commemorated 50 years of Indian independence in the year 1997. The video was directed by Mani Shankar, and features Lucky Ali as a young urban man roaming the Indian countryside, trying to discover new meaning to life. When asked about the video, Lucky Ali once said "The video of Anjaani Raahon Mein was a beautiful story in itself. It was done straight from the heart and it is very special to me." .

Playback singing career

Lucky Ali started his Playback singing career with the song "Nasha Nasha" from the film Dushman Duniya Ka which starred his brother Manzoor Ali in the lead role. The film was directed by their father Mehmood. However the song and the film both went unnoticed.

After that, his next song in films was in Hrithik Roshan's debut movie Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai.The songs Na tum jaano na hum and Ek pal ka jeena became huge hits and he won the Filmfare award (best male playback singer) for Na tum jaano na hum .

Acting career

Being the nephew of Meena Kumari, one of the great actresses to grace the Indian screen, and moreover being Mehmood's son, Lucky Ali did not lack the requisite opportunity to make his debut as an actor. He acted in a few films in the 1970s and 1980s such as Yeh Hain Zindagi (1977) Hamare Tumhare (1979) and Shyam Benegal 's Trikaal (1985) After a long break from acting, he returned in Sanjay Gupta's Kaante (2002) where he acted along leading stars like legend Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty. Lucky acted in the TV serial Zara Hatke. In 2002, he acted in the Hindi musical Sur-The Melody of Life essaying a complex role that earned him accolades as an actor.

Playback (in Movies)

• Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008) (Ahista Ahista - Playback)
• Kaalai (2008) (Tamil movie - Playback)
• Kya Main Ab Bhi Tumse Pyar Karta Hoon
• Avataar
• Love At Times Square
• Yuva (2004) (Hindi movie - Playback)
• Anand (2004) (Telugu movie - Playback)
• Aayitha Ezhuthu (2004) (Tamil movie - Playback)
• Sye (2004) (Telugu movie - Playback)
• Chupke Se (2003)
• Boys (2003) (Telugu movie - Playback)
• Boys (2003) (Tamil movie - Playback)
• Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) (Hindi movie - Playback)
• Bhopal Express (1999) (Hindi movie - Playback)
• Anjaani Raahon Mein (1997) (For the album Meri Jaan Hindustan)
• Dushman Duniya Ka (1996) (Hindi movie - Playback)
• The Film (2005) (Hindi Movie - Playback)

Filmography

• Good Luck(2008)
• Kasak (2005)
• Love at Times Square (2003)
• Kaante (2002)
• Sur-The Melody of Life (2002)
• Trikaal (1985)
• Hamare Tumhare (1979)
• Kitaab (1977)
• Ginny Aur Johnny(1976)
• Yehi Hai Zindagi (1977)
• Kunwara Baap(1974)
• Chote Nawaab(1962)