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Mahdi Ahmed

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Mahdi Ahmed
Born (1971-10-17) 17 October 1971 (age 53)
Malé, Maldives
NationalityMaldivian
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, Producer, Director
Years active1998–present
SpouseAminath Shooza
Children1

Mahdi Ahmed (born 17 October 1971) is a Maldivian screenwriter, producer and film director. He made his career debut with critically acclaimed film Amaanaaiy (1998), which fetched him several awards including a Gaumee Film Award for Best Director and Best Screenplay. From 1999 to 2002, he mainly worked as a director and screen writer in the Inter Office Teledrama Competition, which resulted him receiving six awards for the five films submitted. Afterwards, he was mainly recognized for his collaboration with Abdul Faththaah for the romantic disaster film, Hureemey Inthizaarugaa (2005) and fifty episodes' television series Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa (2006). This was followed by Ahmed Nimal-directed romantic film Vaaloabi Engeynama (2006) for which he was bestowed with another Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay.

Hussain Munawwar's directorial debut Sazaa (2011) served to be a major breakthrough in his career which fetched him his first Maldives Film Award for best screenplay. However, his biggest accomplishment in the industry is considered to be the critically acclaimed experimental suspense thriller Ingili, which got its international recognition by winning a bronze medal in Best Feature Film category at SAARC Film Festival 2014. Apart from that, Ahmed is known for his comical, modern and naughty dialogues in films like Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen (2015) and Vaashey Mashaa Ekee (2016).

Career

[edit]

1998–2008: Success with Amaanaaiy and office teledramas

[edit]

Ahmed made his directorial debut for the romantic drama Amaanaaiy (1998), which was co-written by Ahmed along with Mohamed Niyaz. The film starring Ali Khalid, Jamsheedha Ahmed and Fathimath Rameeza in the lead revolves around a man who is welcomed with his illegitimate son after the demise of his mother and the consequences of this closure.[1][2] It is based on Shekhar Kapur's Indian drama film Masoom (1983) which is a remake of the 1982 Malayalam movie Olangal, which are both adaptations of Man, Woman and Child, 1980 novel by Erich Segal.[3] At the 3rd Gaumee Film Awards, he was bestowed with several awards including a Gaumee Film Award for Best Director and Best Screenplay.[4]

From 1999 to 2002, Ahmed mainly worked to represent his office, Ministry of Atolls Administration in the Inter Office Teledrama Competition.[5] During this period, he submitted five drama films, which received a total of fourteen wins in all categories combined.[5] The first project titled Thaubaa (1999) focuses on the journey of a carefree young woman to seek redemption after sinning.[5] This was followed by fairytale romantic drama Abadhah (2000) which follows a woman who goes through a lot of trials and tribulations waiting for her true love.[6] These two films were awarded as the Best Drama at the respective awarding ceremonies, and Ahmed was bestowed with the Best Director award for the latter.[6] The same year, he contributed to two other television films; Kashithammathi and the philosophical drama Vaarey which follows a man with a guilt-ridden past who realizes the beauty of life when it is too late.[5]

In 2001, Ahmed submitted the film Fangi for the competition, which fetched him the third award for Best Film and the first award for Best Director.[7] It also holds the record of maximum wins, by winning six out of seven categories.[7] The film narrates lives of several individuals get interconnected making them realize the suffering of each other and helping them to come to terms with each other's own grief.[7] The following year, he developed the historical film 3 November which is based on the 1988 Maldives coup d'état attempt. It fetched him the second award for Best Director at Office Teledrama Competition.[5]

In 2004, Ahmed collaborated with Ahmed Nimal to rewrite the screenplay of Hama Himeyn from a modern perspective, which was initially conceptualized in 1998.[8] Starring Ali Seezan and Khadheeja Ibrahim Didi in lead roles, the film narrates the compatible relationship of an immature young girl and a drug addict.[9] Upon release, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics and did average business at box office.[9] In an interview, Ahmed shared his dissatisfaction towards his writing standards in the film and shared his experience of watching the movie in cinema as an "embarrassing" moment.[9]

Ahmed's first project of 2005 was Mohamed Shareef-directed television series Loabi Vaanama which focuses on the lives of four colleagues, played by Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Fathimath Noora and Ahmed Saeed.[10] The first episode of the series met with lukewarm response from the audience due to the different visualization style and sequence arrangement.[11] However, from the second episode onwards, the series picked up and become a success among the critics and audience.[11] This was followed by Abdul Faththaah's romantic disaster film, Hureemey Inthizaarugaa (2005) starring Ravee Farooq and Mariyam Zuhura in lead roles.[12] The film, heavily relied on the effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on the Maldives, received favorable reviews from critics though it failed to perform financially.[12]

The following year, he again collaborated with Faththaah for two television series; Kuramey Vadhaaee Salaam consisting of 13 episodes and Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa consisting of 52 episodes, where both projects were declared success in television history, the latter in particular.[10] Ahmed Adhushan from Mihaaru picked Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa as one of the best television series developed in Maldives and noted that "along with the title track, this is definitely most accomplished work by director Abdul Faththaah".[10] He also worked with Mohamed Shareef for his docudrama series Nethi Dhiyayas which narrates the true incidents of a young man who recovered from drug addiction.[13] It was applauded by critics and audience for its moral values and being a medium of awareness for drug addiction.[13] The year also marks his collaboration with Ahmed Nimal for the award winning romantic film Vaaloabi Engeynama which was based on Aishath Neena's novel Viremundhaa Hiyy.[12] The film fetched him his second Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay.[14]

2011–present: International recognition with Ingili and further releases

[edit]

After a gap of two years, Ahmed made his career breakthrough with Hussain Munawwar's directorial debut, Sazaa, starring Ismail Rasheed, Niuma Mohamed and Lufshan Shakeeb.[15] Based on a novel by Mariyam Moosa, the story of the film revolves around a carefree woman whose life it turned upside down when she is forced to marry a brutal man.[15] Ahmed's work as the screenwriter earned mostly positive comments even though some critics highlighted the "slow storytelling" at the beginning and its "absurd" ending.[15] Critically well received, the film emerged as a commercial success.[15] The film fetched him a Maldives Film Awards for Best Original Screenplay award and his third Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Screenplay.[16][17]

2013 was a successful year for Ahmed, where he collaborated with Ravee Farooq for his critically acclaimed experimental suspense thriller Ingili, which was based on fourteen years old Mohamed Hassan's National Award-winning short story, Holhuasheege Ekuveriya.[18] The film is celebrated as the first Maldivian film to get recognized internationally by winning bronze medal in Best Feature Film category at SAARC Film Festival 2014 held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.[18] For the film, he received another Gaumee Film Award nomination for Screenplay while winning his second Maldives Film Award for Best Screenplay.[16][19] After the success of Sazaa (2011), he again collaborated with Munawwar for the revenge thriller film Dhilakani, released during the same year.[20] The film deals with a man's tumultuous journey to seek vengeance and the demolition of a family bond over a girl.[21] The film attracted negative reviews from critics: Nadheem wrote, "Embraced with futile characters, impractical scenes and outdated music, the film has problems in each department".[22] It fetched him another nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 3rd Maldives Film Awards.[23]

In 2015, Ahmed worked with Dark Rain Entertainment for Ali Shifau's modern romantic film Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen and his psychological thriller Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey.[24] Loosely based on the novel Love Story by Erich Segal, the former received mainly positive reviews from critics. Ismail Nail from Vaguthu called it a "new benchmark" to romantic films and credited a huge success of it to Ahmed's "naughty" screenplay.[25] Similarly, Ahmed received positive reviews from critics for his screenplay for Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey calling it a very "different yet positive" cinematic experience.[26] This was followed by the cop action thriller film Ahmsham co-written with Ahmed Zareer.[27] The film received a mixed to positive response from critics, where Ahmed Nadheem from Avas praised Ahmed's effort to blend romance, action and comedy into the film.[28] All three films released during the year fetched him three separate nominations for Best Screenplay at 8th Gaumee Film Awards.[29]

Filmography

[edit]

Feature film

[edit]
Year Title Writer Director Producer Notes Ref(s)
1998 Amaanaaiy Yes Yes Gaumee Film Award for Best Director
Gaumee Film Award for Best Adapted Screenplay 		[4]
2004 Hama Himeyn Yes [9]
2005 Hureemey Inthizaarugaa Yes [12]
2006 Vaaloabi Engeynama Yes Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay [12]
2007 Aharen Yes [30]
2010 Jinni Yes [31]
2011 Sazaa Yes Maldives Film Awards Best Screenplay
Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay 		[15]
2013 Ingili Yes Yes Maldives Film Awards Best Screenplay
Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay 		[18]
2013 Dhilakani Yes Maldives Film Awards Best Screenplay [22]
2015 Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen Yes [25]
2015 Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey Yes Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay [26]
2015 Ahsham Yes Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay [28]
2016 Vaashey Mashaa Ekee Yes Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay [32]
2016 Vee Beyvafa Yes [33]
2017 Vishka Yes Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay [34]
2017 Hahdhu Yes Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay [35]
2017 Neydhen Vakivaakah Yes [36]
2019 Kaaku? Yes [37]
2023 Zoya Yes [38]
2024 Kamanaa Yes [39]
2024 Roboman: The Movie Yes [40]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Writer Director Producer Notes Ref(s)
1999 Thaubaa Yes Yes Television film [5]
2000 Abadhah Yes Yes Television film [6]
2000 Kashithammathi Yes Yes Television film [6]
2000 Vaarey Yes Yes Television film [5]
2001 Fangi Yes Television film [7]
2002 3 November Yes Yes Television film [7]
2005 Loabi Vaanama Yes Television series; 13 episodes [11]
2006 Kuramey Vadhaaee Salaam Yes Television series; 13 episodes [10]
2006 Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa Yes Television series; 52 episodes [10]
2006 Nethi Dhiyayas Yes Television series; 5 episodes [13]
2007 Thiya Loabeegai Yes Television series; 15 episodes [41]
2007 Aharenge Lha Daddy Yes Television series; 5 episodes [42]
2013 Vaudhey Mee Yes Television series; 5 episodes [43]
2019–2021 Karu Hakuru Yes Web series; 36 episodes [44]
2019–2020 Thin Bibee Yes Web series; 12 episodes [45]
2019 Hatharu Halha Yes Web series; 3 segments [46]
2019–2020 Maayoos Yes Web series; 13 episodes [47]
2021 Hatharu Manzaru Yes TV series; Segment: "Ruqyah" [48]
2021 Girlfriends Yes Web series; 12 episodes [49]
2022 Gudhan Yes Web series; 12 episodes [50]
2023 Miyo? Yes Animated series; 12 episodes
2024 Manaal Yes MNU TV Drama

Short film

[edit]
Year Title Writer Director Producer Notes Ref(s)
2006 Dr. Rocky Yes [7]
2008 Hiyani Yes [30]
2021 Iyaaru Yes
2023 Evolution of Maldives Police Service - The Chase Yes

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref(s)
1999 Office Teledrama Competition Best Drama Thaubaa Won [5]
2000 Best Drama Abadhah Won [6]
Best Director Won
2001 Best Drama Fangi Won [7]
Best Story Won
2002 Best Director 3 November Won [7]
2007 3rd Gaumee Film Awards Best Director Amaanaaiy Won [4]
Best Makeup Amaanaaiy (shared with Mohamed Niyaz) Won
Best Adapted Screenplay Won
Best Dialogue Won
2008 5th Gaumee Film Awards Best Screenplay Vaaloabi Engeynama Won [14]
Best Audiography Vaaloabi Engeynama (shared with Ali Musthafa) Won
2012 2nd Maldives Film Awards Best Screenplay Sazaa Won [17]
2014 3rd Maldives Film Awards Best Screenplay Ingili Won [19]
Dhilakani Nominated [23]
Best Art Direction Ingili (shared with Ravee Farooq and Hussain Munawwar) Won [19]
2016 7th Gaumee Film Awards Best Screenplay Ingili Nominated [16]
Sazaa Nominated
Best Art Direction Ingili (shared with Ravee Farooq and Hussain Munawwar) Nominated
Best Costume Design Ingili (shared with Ravee Farooq) Nominated
2017 8th Gaumee Film Awards Best Screenplay Vaashey Mashaa Ekee Nominated [29]
Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey Nominated
Ahsham (shared with Ahmed Zareer) Nominated
2024 NCA Office Teledrama Competition 1445 Best Screenplay Manaal Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Musthfa, Mohamed (6 April 2017). ""Amaanaaiy" is on Youtube". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  2. ^ Maahaa, Aishath (6 April 2017). "Tedry's "Amaanaaiy" now available through Youtube". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  3. ^ Vickey Lalwani (7 February 2014). "Mini from Shekhar Kapur's Masoom traced in Delhi". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Adhushan, Ahmed (6 February 2017). "Reasons to watch "Amaanaaiy" after 19 years". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Nadheem, Ahmed (4 August 2015). "The benefits of Office Teledrama Competition to the film fraternity". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Maaha, Aishath (11 June 2016). "Ayya retires from Film Industry". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Nadheem, Ahmed (24 February 2017). "Did "Vishka" poison Mahdi and Zareer's bromance?". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  8. ^ Musthafa, Mohamed (3 November 2018). "Sitee remains Nimal's best work so far". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d Adhushan, Ahmed (17 April 2017). "Mahdi pleased with his work". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d e Adhushan, Ahmed (12 April 2020). "Dhivehi Drama Series; which one is better?". Mihaaru. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  11. ^ a b c Adam, Ahmed Hameed (11 December 2020). "Star's Story - Asim: Best Actor in Maldives". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e Maaha, Aishath (21 February 2018). "Best 10 Actors". Dho? (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  13. ^ a b c Maaha, Aishath (7 June 2017). "Isse rising to the peak?". Avas. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  14. ^ a b Ahmed, Fazeena (13 April 2008). "Winners of 5th Gaumee Film Awards". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  15. ^ a b c d e Nadheem, Ahmed (12 March 2015). "Director's start is worthy". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  16. ^ a b c Adhushan, Ahmed (16 December 2016). "Nominations for 7th Gaumee Film Awards Announced". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  17. ^ a b Nadheem, Ahmed (5 July 2012). "Winners of Maldives Film Awards". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  18. ^ a b c Nadheem, Ahmed (18 May 2013). ""Ingili" Review". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  19. ^ a b c "Maldives Film Awards Nominations and Winners list". Sun (in Divehi). 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  20. ^ Ahmed, Fazeena (10 January 2013). ""Dhilakani" to be released next month". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  21. ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (10 January 2013). ""Dhilakani" is originated from "Sazaa"'s experience". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  22. ^ a b Nadheem, Ahmed (19 June 2013). ""Dhilakani" Review". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  23. ^ a b Nadheem, Ahmed (29 April 2014). "Maldives Film Awards Nominations out". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  24. ^ Naail, Ismail (7 April 2015). ""Emme Fahu Vindhaa Jehendhen": A big success with repeat audience" (in Divehi). Vaguthu. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  25. ^ a b Naail, Ismail (5 April 2015). "Pre-premiere Review: "Emme Fahu Vindhaa Jehendhen" A new benchmark to romantic films" (in Divehi). Vaguthu. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  26. ^ a b Maahaa, Aishath (25 August 2015). "Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey 3 years waiting has been justified" (in Divehi). Vaguthu. Archived from the original on 14 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  27. ^ Mohamed, Ibrahim (25 August 2015). "60% of the film is completed" (in Divehi). Vaguthu. Archived from the original on 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  28. ^ a b Ahmed, Nadheem (11 November 2015). "Ahsham: 5 stars for Seezan's spirit" (in Divehi). Avas. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  29. ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (12 December 2017). "8th Gaumee Film Awards: Dark Rain leads nomination". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  30. ^ a b Hassan, Nazim (22 June 2015). "Politics is a challenge to entertainment industry" (in Divehi). Vaguthu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  31. ^ Naseer, Ismail (11 February 2010). "Positive comment for the film - Its a big achievement". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  32. ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (6 April 2016). "Vaashey Mashaa Ekee: Unlimited praise" (in Divehi). Avas. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  33. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (30 November 2016). ""Vee Beyvafa": A step backward". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  34. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (4 February 2017). "Vishka to release on 8th March at Schwack Cinema". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  35. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (9 February 2017). "Haddhu will break records: Fatthah". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  36. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (27 September 2017). "Neydhen Vakivaakah premiering tonight". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  37. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (4 March 2019). "Teaser of horror film Kaaku released". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  38. ^ Naeem, Idham (15 November 2023). "Feature film "Zoya" from the Geveshi Gulhun campaign released". Raajje.mv (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  39. ^ Naeem, Idham (27 August 2024). "Feature film "Kamanaa" Red Carpet Event". mihaaru.com (in Divehi).
  40. ^ Naeem, Idham (26 September 2024). "Feature film "Roboman: The Movie" Red Carpet Event". mihaaru.com (in Divehi).
  41. ^ Abdulla, Fareeha (29 April 2016). "Maldivians like copied products; our own style is not accepted: Seezan" (in Divehi). Vaguthu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  42. ^ Maaha, Aishath (31 May 2017). "Did Jambe loses his path?". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  43. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (27 January 2013). "Shooting of "Vaudhey Mee" in Eydhafushi". EydhafushiTimes (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  44. ^ Lubaa, Aminath (14 March 2019). "Maldivian first sit-com "Karu Hakuru" available for streaming". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  45. ^ Latheef, Alim Abdul (21 January 2021). "Ifnaz: Crawling from behind the camera to the lead role". Dhen (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  46. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (29 September 2020). "After a six years' gap, Hatharu Halha to release in Baiskoafu". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  47. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (11 November 2019). "Maayoos to release in Baiskoafu". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  48. ^ Rasheed, Ahmed (1 May 2021). "Mua's "Ruqya" inspired by the fake ruqya practice in Maldives". MuniAvas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  49. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (21 July 2021). ""Girlfriends" for Mahdi and Munko". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  50. ^ Rasheed, Ahmed (13 September 2022). "Fourth episode of "Gudhan" reveals the reason of their trap". MuniAvas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
[edit]

Mahdi Ahmed at IMDb

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