He is the younger brother of India's ace comedian Mehmood Ali.
Ali started his career as an actor, starred in many movies in the era of 70's before he turned producer.
His brother Mehmood was an established comedian, while his sister Minoo Mumtaz was a dancer and actor in the movies.
His first major role was in the K. A. Abbas's film Saat Hindustani, which was also the debut movie for Amitabh Bacchan.
He then worked in many movies like Wafaa, Albela, Caravan, Parwana, Bansi Birju, Manzil and Sabse Bada Rupaiya.