Ismail's journey in the world of acting began in his hometown of Bombay, India, where he started participating in school productions of renowned playwrights such as Shakespeare and Moliere at a remarkably young age. As he grew older, he transitioned to professional stage performances in musical theatre, taking on roles in notable productions like Grease, They're Playing Our Song, and Best of Broadway.
Under the guidance of esteemed instructors Karla Singh and Shiamak Davar, Ismail honed his skills in jazz ballet, laying the foundation for his future success. He eventually made the move to New York, where he embarked on his acting career in the city that never sleeps.
At the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York, Ismail underwent three years of rigorous training, which enabled him to land guest roles in independent films such as the Tic Code, starring the legendary Gregory Hines. During this period, he also worked as a TV host on local South Asian cable channels, introducing music videos and sharing Bollywood tidbits with audiences.
His experience on the audition circuit led to his appearance in the popular Zee TV drama Mausam, which was filmed in both New York and Bombay. This was followed by his critically acclaimed performance in the independent feature film Wings of Hope, for which he received the prestigious Best Actor award at the Cinevue International Film Festival.
