After Nukkad, Haidar Ali featured in another television serial, Manoranjan, where he played a director named Anwar.
Initially, director Kundan Shah did not want to cast Haider Ali because he felt he would not do justice to the role. But Haidar Ali's old friend director Aziz Mirza persuaded Kundan Shah, saying he was the right choice for the part because in real life he had flopped as an actor, director and film editor!
"Aziz is a childhood friend. That's why I am always a part of his films. I was in Phir Bhi Dil Hain Hindustani and Chalte Chalte. I am also doing his latest film, Kismet Connection."
Ask if he feels bad at getting recognition after so long, and he replies, "I got an opportunity at 60 and jumped at it! My advice to youngsters is that never give up on your dreams. You have to keep trying in this industry and must have the ability to hang on. I have been struggling since the age of 10 and I have got the biggest break after 50 years of my life."
It is the two women in his life whom Haidar Ali thanks for his success -- his mother Pramila and wife Dr Uma Sankari.
"My mother gave me shelter while my wife saw to it that the home fires kept burning."
Image: Hrithik Roshan plays the young Akbar.
Also see: Hrithik on being an emperor
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