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Ali Merchant Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth13 December 1988

Age36 Years (as of 2024)

BirthplaceMumbai

ProfessionTV actor, DJ, Music Producer, TV Anchor

NationalityIndian

Marital statusDivorced

SpouseSara Khan (first), Anam Merchant (second)

FamilyFather - Abbas Merchant; Mother - Salma Merchant

Ali Merchant Biography

Ali Merchant is an Indian television actor turned DJ and music producer from Mumbai. He began as a model and TV actor, later moved into hosting and music,—

Early life and background

Ali Merchant was born on 13 December 1988 in Mumbai and grew up in the city. He attended St. Aloysius High School in Bandra and continued his studies at RD National College, Bandra. Known by the nickname Minnu, Merchant began working in the public eye as a teenager, moving from modelling into television.

Career

Merchant started his career in the entertainment business as a model at age 17 and won the title of Mr. Bombay. He made his television acting debut in the serial Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000) playing Bharat Agarwal and went on to appear in a number of Hindi TV shows including Amber Dhara (2007), Rubi (2008), Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar (2009), Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2009) and Bandini (2010).

Alongside acting, he worked on the hosting side, anchoring three consecutive seasons of Gladrags Mega Model and Manhunt for Channel V. He has also auditioned for MTV Roadies and served as a player for the Mumbai Tigers in the celebrity cricket tournament Box Cricket League 2 (2016).

After a period of controversy in his personal life, Merchant stepped back from acting and shifted his focus to music. He developed a career as a DJ and music producer, creating remixes and mash-ups and collaborating with major labels such as T-Series, Zee Music Company and Speed Records. He released two Hindi music albums in 2018 titled Tabaahi and Kadak and has put out several remixed singles, including Gulabo (2016), Bad Boys Mashup (2016) and Aao Raja (2019).

As a live performer, Merchant has been part of high-profile events and tours: a multi-city Bollyboom club tour in 2018, opening the DaBang Concert at the Coca-Cola Arena in November 2019, sharing a Bollyboom stage with Diljit Dosanjh in February 2020, and appearing on Sunburn Holi alongside acts such as Vini Vici and Ritviz in March 2020. He has also performed with internationally known DJs like DJ Snake and Vini Vici, and in 2019 received a Celeb M Award for Best Trending DJ.

Public profile

Merchant’s time in reality television brought significant public attention. In 2010 he appeared as a guest contestant on Bigg Boss, where he married fellow contestant Sara Khan during the show. The televised marriage and ensuing media coverage affected his career trajectory and public image. He later appeared as a guest on Sach Ka Saamna to discuss matters relating to that period.

In 2022 he returned to reality formats as a wild card contestant on the digital series Lock Upp, where he discussed his earlier relationship and life choices. Throughout his career he has balanced multiple roles in the public eye: actor, host, DJ and music producer.

Personal life

Ali Merchant’s family includes his father, Abbas Merchant, and his mother, Salma Merchant. He has been married twice. His first marriage to Sara Khan took place in 2010 and ended within a few months. He married Anam Merchant, an investment banker, in January 2016; that marriage later ended in divorce after several years. Merchant has described how lifestyle differences and professional demands, particularly related to a nightlife and touring schedule, contributed to the later separation.

Interests and public image

Merchant is a motorcycle enthusiast and owns a BMW motorcycle. Physical details listed in his public profile include a height of approximately 175 cm (5 ft 9 in), weight around 65 kg (143 lbs), black hair and black eyes, and body measurements provided in public records.

Latest updates

In addition to his DJ work and music releases, Merchant remained active in televised and digital reality programming through 2022. His music career continues to be a prominent focus, with releases, collaborations, and live performances cited as key elements of his professional life.
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Recent Work

Tabaahi

Hindi music album released in 2018

2018
Kadak

Hindi music album released in 2018

2018
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Career Highlights

  1. Began career as a model and won Mr. Bombay
  2. Television acting debut in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii
  3. Hosted three seasons of Gladrags Mega Model and Manhunt on Channel V
  4. Transitioned to DJing and music production; released albums and remixes
  5. Performed at major Indian music events and tours; awarded Best Trending DJ (Celeb M Awards 2019)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ali Merchant born?

13 December 1988

What is Ali Merchant known for?

TV actor, DJ, Music Producer, TV Anchor

What is Ali Merchant’s marital status?

Divorced

Who is Ali Merchant married to?

Sara Khan (first), Anam Merchant (second)