Asim Raza

Early life and education

Asim Raza was born on 21 August 1966 in Karachi. After finishing his early education in Karachi, he joined the National College of Arts Lahore. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Engineering from Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, Karachi. He received his Master's Degree in Architectural Engineering from the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. Before his higher education, Raza practiced architecture for a couple of years and then succumbed to his true calling of film making and story telling.

1994–1996: TVCs and music videos

1994 onwards, Asim worked on many commercials and videos as Producer/Director. He also directed a Magazine show for television based on advertising and marketing called The Big Idea. Between 1994 -1996 Asim continued making commercials for big brands like Coca-Cola, Sprite, Lux, Olay, Cadbury, Mobilink, Sunsilk, Pantene, Head and Shoulders, Garnier and many others. He has also worked with renowned musicians from Pakistan such as Junoon, Junaid Jamshed, Najam Sheraz, Abrar-ul-Haq and Hadiqa Kiani.

1997–2012: The Vision Factory and music concerts

In 1997, Asim started his production company, The Vision Factory. Under this banner, he made the music video of the single "Sayonee" for the band Junoon. It stayed at no. 1 on both Channel V and MTV Asia for over eight weeks. Asim then attended various short courses, workshops and seminars including one at the New York Film Academy. On 4 May 1997, Asim filmed and directed the last concert of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, before his death on 17 August 1997, known as "The Pakistan 4 U Concert" aired on Channel V at Karachi Gymkhana. The concert was televised internationally, marking the first ever Pakistani music production which was broadcast beyond South Asia. The concert was made into live album named, "Swan Song-His Final Performance". Following that, Asim filmed the concert performed by Junoon at Central Park, known as "A Tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Junoon Live at Central Park". Asim also directed the 2nd Lux Style Awards ceremony in 2003 and short documentary about Kathak dance called Raqsan showcasing the talent of Pakistani classical dancer Fasih Ur Rehman. In 2008, he became an external board member on the board of studies for the communication design department at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture.

2013–present: Behadd and Ho Mann Jahaan

In 2013, Asim directed a telefilm Behadd, written by Umera Ahmed under MD Productions for Hum TV. Starring Fawad Khan, Nadia Jamil and Sajjal Ali, Behadd premiered 23rd February 2013 on Hum TV. The telefilm set the grounds for Asim as a force to be reckoned with in the story telling domain. The telefilm went on to win Best Television Film award at second Hum Awards ceremony.

Asim marked his directional debut in the film industry with the blockbuster of 2016 Ho Mann Jahaan, which Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui co-produced with him. Ho Mann Jahaan is a coming-of-age drama film, starring Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui, Adeel Hussain and Sonya Jehani The film was released on the 1st of January, 2016. Film opened to great critical reviews and proved to be huge commercial success at the box office. Ho Mann Jahaan was distributed by ARY Films. Asim also wrote three songs for the Film that were heavily praised by critics. In an interview with The Express Tribune Asim Said, "One should tell a story which is real, relatable and true to life, which is why I opted for a more content-driven film which would touch hearts."

Personal life

Asim Raza is married to Ayla Raza, also an architect by education. Ayla Raza is working for the promotion of traditional performing arts as the Director at a not for profit organization, All Pakistan Music Conference Karachi. Together they have two daughters Maryam Raza and Zainab Raza.

TVCs and music videos

Films

Television

Awards