Fathimath Nahula

Fathimath Nahula (born 22 June 1973) is a Maldivian film director, film producer and screenwriter.

Fathimath Nahula
Nahula at 1st Maldives Film Awards ceremony, 2011
Occupation	director, producer, screenwriter
Years active	1998–present

Early life

In 1991, Nahula joined Jamaluddin school and worked as a teacher for four years.[1] During the time, she spends most of her time in writing and developing stories.[1] She then penned dialogues and stories for several films and television dramas produced by Television Maldives while publishing handful of them on different platforms including newspapers and magazines.[1] Aiming to deliver the real emotions she write on the paper, Nahula decided to pursue a career in film direction.[1]

Career

1998–2009: Early releases and Yoosuf

She entered the film industry as an assistant director on Abdulla Sujau's Laila (1997), which was based on a story she had earlier written though the screenplay was developed with the help of director, Abdulla Sujau.[2] During the year, she was received the National Award of Recognition in the area of screenwriting.[1] She then made her own directorial debut with the family drama Fahuneyvaa (1998) which portrays the love-conflict of a man choosing between a prominent stage performer and a deaf-mute poor girl. Featuring Hussain Sobah, Mariyam Nisha and Jamsheedha Ahmed in pivotal roles, the film received critical acclaim and was a declared a commercial "hit" by screening twenty six houseful shows at the cinema.[3] Though her first two films were produced by different studios; Corona Arts and Dash Studio respectively, post Fahuneyvaa her next few releases were solely produced by Mapa.[4] Her second directorial venture was Naaummeedhu (2000) which depicts the story of a happily married couple (Reeko Moosa Manik and Mariyam Nisha) whose life is shattered into pieces when they unintentionally invite a seductive woman (Jamsheedha Ahmed) into their life.[4] The film receiving favorable reviews from critics was able to screen twenty eight houseful shows at Olympus Cinema, making it the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year.[4]

In 2002, Nahula worked as the assistant director in Ahmed Shimau family drama film Loabi Nuvevununama (2002) which stars Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Nazima, Moosa Zakariyya and Ahmed Shimau.[5] Written by Fathimath Nahula, the story narrates the journey of a handicapped man who has been betrayed in love and unknowingly marries his brother's love interest. The film was a critical and commercial success.[6] The following year, she released her third directorial venture; a romantic film Kalaayaanulaa (2003) which follows a happily married couple (Yoosuf Shafeeu and Aishath Shiranee) where the husband decided to marry his childhood bestfriend (Niuma Mohamed) when his wife fails to sexually please him.[4] The film received widespread critical acclaim for its performances and was declared to be year's highest grossing Maldivian film release.[3] Winning four Gaumee Film Awards and three Miadhu Crystal Awards, Nahula received a Gaumee Film Award nomination as the Best Director.[7]

The series of success were continued with her next release; a critically appreciated and commercially prosperous project, a romantic drama film Zuleykha (2005) which narrates the journey of a nine years old girl seeking the lost love of her mother.[3] Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Mariyam Nisha, Ali Seezan, Mohamed Manik and Mariyam Enash Sinan, the film won five Gaumee Film Awards including the Best Story Award while she received another Gaumee Film Award nomination as the Best Director.[5][7] Meanwhile, at Miadhu Crystal Awards ceremony, Zuleykha received eight awards including Best Director and Best Story.[8] Thirty three houseful shows of the film were screened at the cinema making it the highest grossing Maldivian release of the year.[3]

In 2008, Nahula released her most successful film; the romantic drama Yoosuf which depicts the story of a deaf and mute man who has been mistreated by a wealthy family, mocking his disability.[6] Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Nimal, Fauziyya Hassan, Ravee Farooq, Zeenath Abbas and Ahmed Lais Asim, the film is considered to include most prominent faces in a Maldivian film. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was attained a blockbuster status at box office.[4] A total of forty five houseful shows were screened at Olympus Cinema before the film was leaked online, however the producers were able to screen five more shows at the cinema making it one of the Maldivian all-time highest grossing movies.[3] The film was Maldivian official entry at 2009 SAARC Film Festivals and holds the privilege of being the opening movie of the festival.[2] At 6th Gaumee Film Awards, Nahula was bestowed with Best Art Direction and Best Choreography award, while being nominated as the Best Director and Editor.[9][10] The film, winning seven awards at 1st Maldives Film Awards, including Film of the Year (Viewer's Choice), Nahula was credited with a nomination as the Best Director.[11][12] Her next directorial venture was the romantic drama film Soora (2008), directed along with Yoosuf Shafeeu.[13] The film was originally released as a television series to positive response.[13]

2010–present: Expansion into film production

Later in 2010, Nahula wrote and co-produced Yoosuf Shafeeu's Veeraana, a drama film that deals with child sexual abuse.[14] Starring Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed and Amira Ismail the film received mixed to positive reviews from critics, praising the writer and director for touching a condemnatory topic though criticing its "over-the-top melodrama".[14] Having a strong buzz prior its release, the film was proved to be a commercial success.[15] Her next production was Ravee Farooq-directed romantic drama film Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen (2012), starring Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik and Ali Seezan.[16] Upon release, the film received mixed response from critics while Ahmed Nadheem of Haveeru noted the film as "the best Maldivian melodramatic film" he had seen in the past two years, though displeased with its similarities between two Bollywood films.[17] At 3rd Maldives Film Awards, Nahula received a nomination for Best Screenplay and Best Costume Design.[18]

In 2016, Nahula yet again occupied the director's seat alongside Ahmed Sinan for the horror film 4426; a genre she has not explored before.[19] Upon release, the film received mostly positive reviews from critics. Ahmed Nadheem of Avas labelled the film as a "masterpiece" and wrote: "Nahula has arranged the sequences of the scenes a tidy note giving the viewers no space for complains in the plot. The only are she lacks the expertise; technical department is a revelation in this film compared to her previous works".[20] However, it was also considered to be her "best performance" so far.[20] Ahmed Adhushan reviewing for Mihaaru credited the screenplay of the film as its "hero". "Nahula has proved the industry that she is capable to write stories beyond romance".[21] With twenty five houseful shows being screened, 4426 was declared as the highest-grossing Maldivian film of the year.[22]

2018 was a dull year for Maldivian film-industry with regards to 2018 Maldivian presidential election. Her only release of the year was the first Maldivian web-series, a romantic drama, Huvaa.[23] The series consisting of sixty episodes and streamed through the digital platform Baiskoafu, centers around a happy and radiant family which breaks into despairing pieces after a tragic incident that led to an unaccountable loss.[24][25] The pilot episode was viewed by more than 16,000 users at the time of release and was declared to be a success.[26][27]

Filmography

Feature film

Year	Title	Director	Writer	Editor	Notes	Ref(s)
1996	Fun Asaru		Yes			[28]
1997	Maazee		Yes			[29]
1997	Hinithun		Yes			[29]
1998	Kuhveriya		Yes			[29]
1998	Laila		Yes		Worked as assistant director	[2]
1998	Fahuneyvaa	Yes	Yes			[3]
1998	Ethoofaaneerey		Yes			[30]
2001	Naaummeedhu	Yes	Yes			[6]
2002	Loabi Nuvevununama		Yes		Worked as assistant director	[6]
2003	Kalaayaanulaa	Yes	Yes		Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Director	[7]
2005	Zuleykha	Yes	Yes		Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Director	[7]
2008	Yoosuf	Yes	Yes	Yes	Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Director Nominated—Maldives Film Award for Best Director	[10][12]
2010	Veeraana		Yes			[14]
2010	Heyonuvaane		Yes
2012	Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen		Yes		Nominated—Maldives Film Award for Best Screenplay	[17][18]
2016	4426	Yes	Yes			[20]
2017	Bos		Yes

Short film

Year	Title	Director	Producer	Writer	Notes	Ref(s)
2009	Bulhaa Dhombe		Yes	Yes	Co-written with Binma Ibrahim Waheedh	[31]

Television

Year	Title	Director	Writer	Editor	Notes	Ref(s)
1997–1999	Kahthiri		Yes			[32]
2005	Kalaage Haqqugaa	Yes	Yes			[33]
2008	Soora	Yes	Yes	Yes	Co-directed with Yoosuf Shafeeu	[13]
2012–2013	Adhives Eloaibah Gadharu Kuran	Yes	Yes
2015	Vakivumuge Kurin	Yes	Yes		Co-directed with Aishath Rishmy Co-written with Fathimath Neena
2015–2016	Umurah Salaan	Yes	Yes		Co-directed with Mohamed Faisal
2018–2019	Huvaa	Yes	Yes		Co-directed with Mohamed Faisal	[23]

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref(s)
1998	National Award of Recognition	Screenwriting		Won	[1]
2007	4th Gaumee Film Awards	Best Director	Zuleykha	Nominated	[7]
			Kalaayaanulaa	Nominated	[7]
		Best Story	Zuleykha	Nominated	[7]
	1st Miadhu Crystal Award	Best Director	Zuleykha	Won	[8]
2009	National Award of Recognition	Performing Arts - Film direction and production		Won	[2]
2011	1st Maldives Film Awards	Best Director	Yoosuf	Nominated	[12]
2014	3rd Maldives Film Awards	Best Screenplay	Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen	Nominated	[18]
2015	6th Gaumee Film Awards	Best Director	Yoosuf	Nominated	[10]
		Best Editing	Yoosuf	Nominated	[10]
		Best Sound Editing	Yoosuf (Shared with Hussain Shuhadh)	Nominated	[10]
		Best Art Direction	Yoosuf	Won	[9]
		Best Choreography	"Mee Magey Haalathey" – Yoosuf (Shared with Ali Yooshau and Rustham Hassan)	Won	[9]
2017	8th Gaumee Film Awards	Best Costume Design	4426 (Shared with Razeena Thaufeeq)	Nominated	[34]

References

1. "National Award of Recognition 1998 - Fathimath Nahula". Presidency Maldives (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
2. "Gaumee Inaam 2009 - Fathimath Nahula". Presidency Maldives (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
3. Nadheem, Ahmed (6 September 2015). "Nahula Vs Tedry: Who among the two brought a revelation to Maldivian Cinema?". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
4. Nadheem, Ahmed (1 October 2016). "Nahula at her peak; aiming for 50 shows". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
5. Nadheem, Ahmed (23 February 2012). "Top 10 Actresses in Malives". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
6. Adhushan, Ahmed (9 July 2018). "Empowering women in cinema". Dho? (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
7. Ahmed, Fazeena (20 December 2007). ""Vehey Vaarey Therein" lifts Best Film Award with six other awards". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
8. "Zuleykha Awarded as Best Film winning in eight categories". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
9. Saeed, Fathimath (23 October 2015). "Majority of the awards for "Niuma", "Happy Birthday" announced as best film". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
10. Nadheem, Ahmed (23 October 2015). "Yoope crowned Best Actor, Niuma received Best Actress, and Happy Birthday as the Best Film". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
11. "Feature Film Nominations Announced". Maldives Film Awards (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
12. Haveeru Videos (26 June 2011). "Maldives Film Awards 2011 Nominations". Youtube (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
13. "Kuda Ibbe's playlist of Best 10". Dho? (in Divehi). 18 January 2018. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
14. Nadheem, Ahmed (10 June 2010). "Veeraana did a satisfactory business at box office". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
15. Nadheem, Ahmed (13 May 2010). "Prior its release, seven shows of Veeraan booked housefull". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
16. Nadheem, Ahmed (24 October 2011). "Rav's "Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen" attracts Nahu's audience". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
17. Nadheem, Ahmed (1 March 2012). ""Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen": This is not a romantic novel by Fathimath Nahula". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
18. 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.
19. Nadheem, Ahmed (26 February 2016). "This time its not a "Nahu-styled" film, A revelation". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
20. Nadheem, Ahmed (21 October 2016). "4426 is Nahula's mastepiece". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
21. Adhushan, Ahmed (25 November 2016). "4426 Late Review: Nahula leveling up the game". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
22. "25 Housefull shows of 4426 screened! Now screening the last few shows". Avas (in Divehi). 20 November 2016. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
23. Adhushan, Ahmed (27 February 2018). "Huvaa: Nahula starts her web-series". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
24. Musthafa, Mohamed (18 October 2018). ""Huvaa" is a hard work, it will be nice!". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
25. Adhushan, Ahmed (7 October 2018). ""Huvaa" can be viewed through Baiskoafu application". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
26. Musthafa, Mohamed (28 November 2018). "Nahula's "Huvaa" to be released for streaming tomorrow". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
27. Musthafa, Mohamed (30 November 2018). "First episode of "Huvaa" was a success". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
28. "National Award of Recognition 2017 - Ibrahim Rasheed". Presidency Maldives (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
29. Maaha, Aishath (26 February 2018). "Who is the Best Actress?". Dho? (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
30. Adhushan, Ahmed (4 May 2020). "Five films from Shiranee's career". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
31. Adhushan, Ahmed (5 September 2016). "Nahula searching for child to play an important role". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
32. Ali, Ifraz (1 October 2019). "Where are all the drama series?". Dho? (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
33. Ashraf, Aisha (4 February 2018). "Where are all the drama series?". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
34. 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.

External links

Fathimath Nahula at IMDb