For some people, cinema is entertainment. For Hamad Al Reyami, it is a language that captures history, challenges perspectives, and inspires generations.
Long before he became a respected film director and critic, he was simply a passionate movie lover fascinated by the stories unfolding on the big screen. Growing up in the UAE, his admiration for Indian cinema sparked a lifelong curiosity that eventually evolved into filmmaking, criticism, and cultural advocacy. Rather than watching films passively, he wanted to understand how they were made, why they resonated with audiences, and how storytelling could shape society.
Today, Hamad Al Reyami has become one of the UAE’s recognized voices in cinema, balancing the creative vision of a filmmaker with the analytical mindset of a critic. As an Emirati filmmaker, YouTuber, and passionate cinema advocate, his journey reflects a deep commitment to raising the standards of Emirati filmmaking while encouraging audiences to appreciate cinema as both art and cultural expression.
A Passion That Became a Profession
Every creative career begins with curiosity.
For Hamad Al Reyami, that curiosity developed into an enduring fascination with filmmaking from an early age. His love for cinema, particularly Bollywood classics, inspired him to study films beyond their entertainment value, paying close attention to storytelling, direction, and character development.
That passion soon translated into action.
Beginning in the early 2000s, he entered the world of filmmaking through the Emirates Films Competition, where many of the country’s emerging filmmakers found opportunities to experiment, learn, and showcase their work. Over the years, he directed several short films, participated in regional and international film festivals, and steadily expanded his experience across multiple aspects of production.
His relationship with cinema also extended naturally into writing and digital storytelling. He began contributing film commentary to newspapers across the UAE before embracing social media and YouTube, where he found a new way to share his knowledge and connect directly with audiences.
His ability to communicate fluently in both Hindi and Urdu further strengthened that connection, allowing him to engage deeply with the culture and cinema that had influenced him from childhood.
More Than a Director, A Voice for Better Cinema
While filmmaking allowed Hamad Al Reyami to tell stories, film criticism gave him another powerful platform.
Rather than reviewing movies simply to recommend or discourage audiences, he developed a style that encourages viewers to analyze cinema thoughtfully. Through YouTube, Instagram, interviews, and live discussions, he has consistently promoted the idea that films should be appreciated not only for entertainment but also for their artistic and cultural value.
His reviews blend professional analysis with an approachable style that resonates with broad audiences. Whether discussing Hollywood, Bollywood, Arab cinema, or emerging Emirati productions, he remains committed to honest evaluation while encouraging constructive dialogue about filmmaking.
This willingness to critique objectively has also made him an advocate for improving local productions.
He believes Emirati cinema deserves the same professional standards applied to international films, arguing that thoughtful criticism ultimately strengthens the industry’s future rather than weakening it.
A Lifelong Connection With Dharmendra
For Hamad, cinema has also been deeply personal.
Few relationships illustrate that more clearly than his lifelong admiration for the late Bollywood legend Dharmendra. What began in childhood as an intense fascination with the actor’s films eventually developed into a remarkable personal connection with the Deol family.
Hamad has spoken openly about discovering Dharmendra through films such as Dharam Veer and becoming captivated not only by the actor’s screen presence but also by his personality, humility, and distinctive style. His admiration grew over decades, eventually making him a familiar and welcomed guest at the Deol household.
His fandom was so profound that he even became known online as “Hamad Deol,” a reflection of the extraordinary place Dharmendra held in his life.
Over the years, Hamad’s knowledge of Dharmendra’s career and Hindi cinema created opportunities for conversations that went far beyond those of a conventional fan and celebrity. He developed a warm relationship with the actor and members of the Deol family, sharing conversations, memories, and moments away from the public spotlight.
In September 2025, shortly before Dharmendra’s passing on November 24, Hamad met him at his farmhouse and interviewed him, creating one of the final personal memories of the legendary actor that he would carry forward.
For someone whose passion for cinema began with watching Dharmendra on a screen, being able to eventually sit with the actor, speak with him, and share a personal connection represented a remarkable full circle.
A Final Connection With a Cinema Legend
Dharmendra’s passing in November 2025 marked the end of an extraordinary era in Indian cinema.
For Hamad, however, the loss was deeply personal. He was not simply saying goodbye to one of Bollywood’s most celebrated stars. He was mourning an individual who had been part of his life and imagination since childhood.
Following Dharmendra’s passing, Hamad also visited veteran actress Hema Malini in Mumbai to offer his condolences.
The meeting carried an emotional significance of its own. During their conversation, Hema Malini spoke with Hamad about Dharmendra’s final period and the family’s decision to keep his funeral private, explaining that they wanted audiences to remember him as the powerful and vibrant personality they had loved rather than focus on his physical vulnerability during his final days.
For Hamad, the encounter became another deeply meaningful chapter in a relationship with Indian cinema that had begun decades earlier.
His connection to Dharmendra demonstrates something fundamental about the power of cinema. A performer may appear on a screen thousands of kilometres away, yet their work can become part of another person’s identity, memories, language, and life.
That is precisely what happened to Hamad.
Supporting the Growth of Emirati Cinema
As the UAE continues investing in its creative industries, professionals like Hamad Al Reyami play an important role in shaping public conversations around film.
His experience spans directing, writing, producing, acting, and film criticism, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s creative and technical challenges.
Beyond creating films, he has consistently advocated for stronger storytelling, better screenwriting, and higher production quality across Gulf cinema. His belief is simple: regional films should compete confidently on the global stage without compromising their cultural identity.
His dedication has earned recognition within artistic circles, including honors acknowledging his contribution to cinema and his influence as a film critic and content creator.
Leading Through Knowledge and Passion
What distinguishes Hamad Al Reyami is his ability to balance creativity with critical thinking.
He understands that filmmaking is both artistic expression and disciplined craftsmanship.
Whether directing a short film, interviewing international actors, discussing Bollywood history, or reviewing the latest releases, his work reflects genuine respect for cinema as an evolving art form.
His continued presence across digital platforms has also helped introduce younger audiences to more thoughtful film appreciation, demonstrating that criticism is not about negativity but about encouraging excellence.
His work as a YouTuber has further expanded that mission, allowing him to transform his lifelong passion into accessible conversations for audiences who share his enthusiasm for film, particularly the rich history and cultural influence of Indian cinema.
A Legacy Written One Film at a Time
Looking ahead, Hamad Al Reyami remains committed to contributing to the continued evolution of Emirati and regional cinema.
His vision extends beyond directing successful projects.
He hopes to inspire future filmmakers to embrace originality, tell authentic stories, and pursue excellence without compromise.
At the same time, his decades-long relationship with Bollywood demonstrates the broader cultural role cinema can play. His story is a reminder that films can create bridges between countries, languages, generations, and communities.
In an era where digital platforms have transformed how audiences consume films, his voice continues reminding viewers that meaningful cinema is built on powerful storytelling, cultural authenticity, and fearless creativity.
As both a filmmaker and critic, Hamad Al Reyami has shown that great cinema is not measured solely by box office numbers.
It is measured by its ability to challenge ideas, spark conversations, create lifelong memories, and remain unforgettable long after the credits roll.
For Hamad, that connection is not theoretical. It is something he has lived.
From discovering Dharmendra on a cinema screen as a child to eventually becoming a trusted guest of the actor’s family, from directing films to reviewing them, and from studying cinema privately to sharing his knowledge with a growing digital audience, his journey reflects the extraordinary way a genuine love for storytelling can shape a life.
Cinema was his first fascination.
It became his profession, his creative language, and ultimately his way of connecting cultures.
Follow Hamad Al Reyami on Instagram to discover his latest film reviews, filmmaking projects, interviews, and insights into the ever-evolving world of cinema.
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Sneha Singhaniya is a dedicated Relationship Manager at UAE Stories based in Dubai. With over a year of experience, she specializes in business, real estate, and lifestyle storytelling. Sneha is known for building strong connections and bringing real, inspiring stories to life through meaningful collaborations. Her approach combines professionalism with a human touch, helping individuals share their journeys in a way that connects with a wider audience. Through her work, she continues to contribute to impactful storytelling that informs, inspires, and empowers readers.
