Waris Hussein, a renowned filmmaker, was born in the vibrant city of Lucknow, India, and later relocated to England at the tender age of nine, accompanied by his parents. This pivotal move would eventually shape his future endeavors. Prior to commencing his directorial career, Hussein attended Cambridge, where he honed his skills and refined his artistic inclinations.
At the age of 21, Hussein embarked on his professional journey as a trainee director with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),a career path that was partly influenced by his mother, the late Attia Hussein, who was an accomplished artist in her own right. Not only was she a news reader in Hindi, but she also translated William Shakespeare's works into Urdu and Hindi, and was a published author. Her artistic prowess and creative endeavors undoubtedly had a profound impact on her son's early aspirations.
Waris Hussein's passion for direction was evident from a young age, and he was heavily influenced by his mother's artistic abilities. After gaining experience in television, Hussein made his mark by directing the inaugural episode of the iconic series "Doctor Who" in 1963, titled "An Unearthly Child." This milestone marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career in film, during which he had the privilege of working with esteemed legends such as Lord Laurence Olivier, Bette Davis, and Joan Plowright.
Throughout his career, Hussein has seamlessly navigated both sides of the Atlantic, as well as his birth country, India. Despite being a British filmmaker at heart, he has managed to strike a balance between his creative endeavors in the West and his cultural roots in the East.
