Mirza Abbas Ali, known in the 1990s as a romantic hero in Tamil cinema, experienced a career trajectory that took him from overnight stardom to a life far removed from the glitz and glamour of the film industry.

Abbas's journey began with modeling in 1995, leading to his acting debut in the Tamil film Kadhal Desam (1996). The film's success catapulted him to stardom, and he quickly became a sought-after actor. He went on to appear in several well-known movies, sharing screen space with leading stars such as Rajinikanth in Padayappa (1999), Aishwarya Rai in Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), and even Shah Rukh Khan and Kamal Haasan in Hey Ram (2000).

Despite this early success, Abbas's career eventually faced a downturn. Some of his films did not perform well, leading to financial difficulties and, reportedly, bankruptcy on four separate occasions. In an interview, Abbas revealed that he found himself financially struggling, unable to afford basic necessities. He even approached producer RB Choudary for work during this period.

Ultimately, Abbas decided to leave the film industry, with his last appearance being in 2015. He explained that he had grown bored and was no longer enjoying his work.

Following his departure from the film world, Abbas moved to New Zealand with his family. To support them, he took on various jobs, including working as a bike mechanic and driving taxis. Reports also mention him cleaning toilets to make ends meet.

In recent years, Abbas has opened up about his life experiences. He has spoken about his struggles with suicidal thoughts as a teenager and his decision to leave the film industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he used Zoom calls to connect with fans and offer support, particularly to those struggling with suicidal ideation, drawing from his own past experiences. Currently, Abbas is reportedly working as a motivational speaker.