Hamisha Daryani Ahuja (born 7 July 1984) is an Indian[3] film producer, director, actress and businesswoman based in Nigeria. Ahuja made her directorial and acting debut in the Nollywood-Bollywood cross-cultural film Namaste Wahala.[4][2][5][1] She also runs a chain of restaurants in Lagos.[6][7]
Early life and education
Ahuja was born in Mumbai to a third-generation Indian-origin Sindhi family based in Nigeria.[4][8] Her family moved to Nigeria when she was two years old and she grew up in Lagos.[9] She attended ACS International School, Cobham,[10] McMaster University, Ontario, and American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York, where she studied acting.[11]
Career
Ahuja 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.[2][12][5] The project was a venture to combine elements of both Bollywood and Nollywood, which Ahuja used to create a love story between the two film industries.[13][14]
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.[15]
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.[16]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Namaste Wahala | Template:Yes | Leila | Nollywood-Bollywood debut, Netflix |
TV Series
| Year | Title | Director | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Postcards | Template:Yes | Film Producer | Netflix |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Film | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Director of the Year | Namaste Wahala | Template:Nom | [17] |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nollywood meets Bollywood in love tale 'Namaste Wahala', Chile, Nneka. Reuters(12 February 2021). Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Why Director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja Wants More Movies About Cross-Cultural Love, Narang, Nimarta. Oprah Daily(16 June 2021). Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ↑ Cultural Activities. High Commission of India Abuja, Nigeria(7 March 2023). Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 From Stream To Flood, Beshudi, Adam. IMF(June 2021). Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The movie was intentionally cliché," says 'Namaste Wahala' director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, Kalsi, Harleen. Lifestyle Asia(20 February 2021). Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ↑ Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja. Pulse Nigeria(25 March 2016). 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.
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ @hamishadaryaniahuja reminded us that Africans, like Indians, hold the weight of a thousand untold stories—rich, layered, and unapologetically ours. But the power lies in telling them authentically, without filters or borrowed lenses. The world doesn’t need another version of us; it needs the raw, unvarnished truth of who we are. She reminded us it wasn’t about finding our voice—it was about reclaiming it. Thank you @hamishadaryaniahuja @oloriatuwatseiii. Instagram (Elevate Africa)(11 December 2024).
- ↑ HAMISHA DARYANI AHUJA, ACS COBHAM, 1997-2002. ACS Schools. Retrieved 4 June 2022.Template:Dead link
- ↑ Namaste Wahala, a new Netflix release, brings together India and Nigeria, Modi, Chintan Girish. Business Standard(26 February 2021). Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ↑ With love, from Nigeria: 'Namaste Wahala' filmmaker Hamisha Daryani Ahuja on her journey, Chandar, Bhuvanesh. The New Indian Express(24 February 2021). Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ↑ Bollywood and Nollywood collide in a tale of a big fat Indian-Nigerian wedding. CNN. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
- ↑ Ahuja's debut film 'Namaste Wahala' is a tale of cross-cultural love affair. www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
- ↑ Sola Sobowale Lands First Bollywood Role. The Guardian(2022-07-13). Retrieved 2022-07-19.
- ↑ Lights, Camera, Collaboration: The Filmmaker Bridging Nollywood And Bollywood. Forbes Africa. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ↑ 2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list. BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2022-03-26.