Afzal Ahmed Khan is a graduate from Aligarh Muslim University who was born and brought up in a literary environment. His major influences came from his grandfather, who he was very close to. Afzal had always dream of making it big in Bollywood since the age of 5 years. Though, no one in his family believed him then. It was only after his graduation that his family members took him seriously.
Initial Struggle
Afzal Ahmed Khan reached Mumbai – the city of dreams and landed at Legendary Dilip Kumar saab's bungalow. Dilip saab's brother Ehsaan Khan saab mentored Afzal Ahmed Khan during his initial struggle period. Afzal stayed with Ehsaan Khan saab for a year, and it was during this period that Afzal was introduced to many celebrated filmmakers. K Asif saab of Mughal-e-Azam fame was one of them. With the support of so many well-wishers like Ehsaan Khan, K Asif, Akhtar Begum Dilip Kumar’s sister & K Asif's wife); Afzal Ahmed Khan got trained in all departments of film-making.
Film career
Afzal Ahmed Khan was introduced to Sultan Ahmed by K Asif with whom he started his career. Afzal Ahmed Khan assisted Sultan Ahmed on his 1984 release – Daata. Later on, he went on to assist filmmaker Chandra Barot of Don fame on his yet unreleased movie – Boss starring Vinod Khanna and Jaya Prada. Afzal Ahmed Khan was also the Associate Director of Sultan Ahmed's 1990 release Jai Vikranta. Afzal Ahmed Khan turned writer with Akshay Kumar’s 1991 movie Dancer. But his big break as a director came in the form of Ekka Raja Rani starring Govinda, Vinod Khanna, Ayesha Jhulka in the year 1994. He was also the writer of the movie and it did good business at the box office. In the year 2005, Afzal Ahmed Khan was back to his first love – Cinema. He directed Mashooka starring Meghna Naidu, Vidya Malavade, Aditya Bal. Since 2010, Afzal Ahmed Khan has been working on his most ambitious animated projects – The Adventures of Sinbad and Hatim Tai. Afzal Ahmed Khan owns a recording/editing/animation studio in the heart of Mumbai called Lodi Studios.
Television career
After movies, it was the turn of television and Afzal Ahmed Khan also debuted as a TV Producer/Director for Daastan-e-Hatimtai in 1995 on Doordarshan. It was for the first time in the history of Indian Television that Shammi Kapoor saab debuted on TV. It was one of the most expensive shows and also registered high TRPs. He has also worked on TV serials like Doordarshan’s Bhabhi Maa, Zee TV’s horror show X Zone and Rishtey which introduced Juhi Parmar and NDTV Imagine’s Chutti Time as a director/producer.
Advertising career
Afzal Ahmed Khan has also created several memorable TV commercials for brands like Raymond, Hindustan Petroleum, Shipping Corporation, LIC, Visa since 1996. Afzal has been awarded with numerous awards at various AD film festivals. Afzal Ahmed Khan is the creative brain behind public interest ads like ‘Jaago Grahak Jaago’ on Doordarshan.
