Hamisha Daryani Ahuja (born 7 July 1984) is a Nigerian film producer, director, actress and businesswoman. Ahuja made her directorial and acting debut in the Nollywood-Bollywood cross-cultural film Namaste Wahala.[3][4][5][1]
Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hamisha Daryani 7 July 1984[1] Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian[2] |
| Alma mater | ACS International School McMaster University American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Spouse | Sailesh Ahuja |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editAhuja grew up in Lagos and is a third-generation Nigerian born to an Indian-origin family.[3][6] She attended ACS International School, Cobham,[7] McMaster University, Ontario, and American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York, where she studied acting.[8] She runs a chain of restaurants in Lagos.[9]
Career
editAhuja runs her production company Forever 7 Entertainment and also made her filmmaking debut as a director and actress in the 2021 film Namaste Wahala, a cross-cultural venture of the Nigerian film industry Nollywood and the Indian film industry, Bollywood.[4][10][5] The project was a venture to combine elements of both Bollywood and Nollywood film industries, which Ahuja used to create a love story between the two film industries.[11][12]
Ahuja is bringing to the big screen a film starring Nollywood superstar Sola Sobowale, also known as "Toyin Tomato," and Samuel Perry, better known as "Broda Shaggi," in an effort to further promote the partnership between the Nollywood and Bollywood film industries. The director has promised fans that her newest project will surpass her first one, even though other information are still being kept under wraps.[13]
Ahuja's next venture Postcards was released in 2024. It follows the lives of four Nigerians who discover love, acceptance, and prosperity in India after embarking on individual journeys of self-discovery whilst conquering their fears.[14]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Director | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Namaste Wahala | Yes | Leila | Nollywood-Bollywood debut, Netflix |
TV Series
edit| Year | Title | Director | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Postcards | Yes | Film Producer | Netflix |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Film | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Director of the Year | Namaste Wahala | Nominated | [15] |
References
edit- ^ a b Chile, Nneka (12 February 2021). "Nollywood meets Bollywood in love tale 'Namaste Wahala'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ "#LLAInterview: "The way to handle failure is move on, keep going, don't stop" – Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, Producer of critically acclaimed 'Namaste Wahala'". Leading Ladies Africa. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ a b Beshudi, Adam (June 2021). "From Stream To Flood". IMF. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ a b Narang, Nimarta (16 June 2021). "Why Director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja Wants More Movies About Cross-Cultural Love". Oprah Daily. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ a b Kalsi, Harleen (20 February 2021). ""The movie was intentionally cliché," says 'Namaste Wahala' director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja". Lifestyle Asia. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ "Namaste Wahala: A Fusion of Bollywood and Nollywood". This Day. 20 February 2021. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via PressReader.
- ^ "HAMISHA DARYANI AHUJA, ACS COBHAM, 1997-2002". ACS Schools. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ Modi, Chintan Girish (26 February 2021). "Namaste Wahala, a new Netflix release, brings together India and Nigeria". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ "Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja". Pulse Nigeria. 25 March 2016. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (24 February 2021). "With love, from Nigeria: 'Namaste Wahala' filmmaker Hamisha Daryani Ahuja on her journey". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ Aisha Salaudeen. "Bollywood and Nollywood collide in a tale of a big fat Indian-Nigerian wedding". CNN. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Ahuja's debut film 'Namaste Wahala' is a tale of cross-cultural love affair". www.gulftoday.ae. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "Sola Sobowale Lands First Bollywood Role". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 13 July 2022. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ "Lights, Camera, Collaboration: The Filmmaker Bridging Nollywood And Bollywood". Forbes Africa. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Archived from the original on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.