Hyderabad, July 7 -- Ali Merchant has lived many lives in the entertainment industry. For television audiences, he remains a familiar face from shows like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Bandini and Lock Upp. For music lovers, he has built a second identity as a DJ, music producer and live performer who knows how to read a crowd.

Now, Ali is grabbing attention for a sound that belongs deeply to Hyderabad: Marfa.

His recent Instagram reels, where he plays Marfa in different cities across the country, have caught the eye of many Hyderabadis. The beat, often heard at weddings, processions and celebrations, is not just music for the city. It carries memory, identity and community.

Speaking exclusively to Siasat Daily, Ali opened up about his c...