Mirza Abbas Ali, better known by his stage name Abbas, a once-famous actor who became well-known in the late 1990s and early 2000s before fading off the screen and starting a new, much more modest chapter in his life in New Zealand. Now, living a comfortable life, there was time when he came back in news because of going bankrupt.
Like many others, Abbas had dreams when he first entered the entertainment industry. Abbas, who was born in West Bengal on May 21, 1975, was supposed to take a more traditional route. His father wanted him to become an engineer, so he even studied mechanical engineering.
He made his acting debut with the critically and commercially successful Tamil film Kadhal Desam, which instantly put him in the spotlight. Abbas was praised for both his acting and screen presence, quickly establishing himself as one of the rising stars of Tamil cinema.
Over the next few years, he starred in several regional films, including Priya O Priya, Rajahamsa, Raja, Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu, Suyamvaram, and the hit Rajinikanth film Padayappa.
His big break, however, came in 2000 with the romantic drama Kandukondain Kandukondain, where he starred alongside Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Mammootty, Ajith Kumar, and Tabu. The film’s success catapulted Abbas into the league of top Tamil actors. According to DNA, “after being given a Tamil film with Tabu, Abbas got fame overnight.”
But as quickly as he rose, the industry’s fickle nature showed its darker side. After a string of box office flops, Abbas found himself out of favour with filmmakers. The offers stopped coming. In a past interview, he confessed to facing severe financial troubles, which ultimately forced him to relocate. "He had become bankrupt and reportedly also worked as a toilet cleaner and a taxi driver," the DNA report claimed.
Now residing in New Zealand, Abbas lives a life far removed from the glitz and glamour of the film industry. The same report notes that “he was so bankrupt that he could not even pay the rent of his home”, prompting his move abroad where he took up jobs as a toilet cleaner, mechanic, and other odd jobs just to make ends meet.
Abbas had worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, but his story is a stark reminder of how unforgiving the world of cinema can be. While many remember him fondly for his performances and on-screen charm, his journey highlights the importance of resilience, adaptability, and humility in the face of changing fortunes.
Though he now lives in anonymity, the legacy of his early work and the memories he gave his fans remain intact — a bittersweet tale of talent, success, and the harsh turns of life.
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