Realizing his potential, after a successful venture at an inter-office teledrama competition, Faththaah made his directorial debut with a video single, "Dhan Dhan Dhanvaru". In 2000, he directed his first film Himeyn Dhuniye followed by Ranmuiy which was half-directed before he was roped into the project. He rose to prominence in Maldivian cinema with the commercially successful and acclaimed romantic drama Aan... Aharenves Loabivin (2002), and the horror film Eynaa (2004) — for which he received the Best Editing award at the Miadhu Crystal Awards. He followed it by directing a commercially unsuccessful film Hureemey Inthizaarugaa (2005) and the award-winning film Vehey Vaarey Therein (2003) which earned him his only Gaumee Film Award for Best Director. After establishing his own production studio, Red Productions, Faththaah directed a television drama series, Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa and a romantic drama Vaaloabi Engeynama (2006).
His most successful film was released in 2010, the romantic horror film Jinni (2010) for which he received a Maldives Film Awards Best Director nomination, followed by another romantic horror film 14 Vileyrey (2011). He received his second Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Director with his romantic film Love Story (2012). His next release, the family drama Aadheys (2014) received mixed reviews from critics while he announced his retirement with his commercially successful film Hahdhu (2017)
Early life
Abdul Faththaah was born on 6 December 1971 in Ha. Kelaa.[1] His father used to play the harmonium.[1] During his stay at Kelaa School, Faththaah participated in a stage narration of Maldivian classical romance novel, Dhon Hiyala and Ali Fulhu.[1] At the age of nine, he relocated to Male' with his family.[1] When he was studying at ninth grade, Mariyam Shauqee, a producer from Television Maldives offered him work in the inter-office teledrama competition.[1] Apart from writing the story, Faththaah played the role of a father in the drama.[1] Afterwards, he worked in several other teledramas; one of them featured actor Mohamed Manik alongside him.[1] After completing tenth standard, Faththaah worked in a resort. Showing a lack of interest in the tourism industry, he moved back to Male'.[1]
After his father's dismissal, Faththaah started working at the first Maldivian fast-food restaurant where he witnessed the "lavishing life" film actors use to be living.[1] "It was an era where film actors were highly recognised with their stylish and luxurious life. Dining at restaurants, travelling by cars, it was that moment I realized that I want to imitate their lifestyle".[1] Subsequently, he resigned from the restaurant and joined Maldives National Defence Force where he was in their service for six years.[1] In 1995, Faththaah wrote and directed Maldives National Defence Force's teledrama Veyn where he was bestowed with the Best Director award and he went on to win the award for a further two years.[1] Realizing his successful venture in film-making, Faththaah resigned from MNDF and joined the Maldives film industry.[1] He first directed a video single, "Dhan Dhan Dhanvaru" featuring Ravee Farooq and Niuma Mohamed.[1] This was followed by "Aaberu Toh Toh" and several other songs.[1]
Career
In 2000, Faththaah released his directorial debut, Himeyn Dhuniye which starred Mariyam Nisha and Ali Khalid as a couple having an extra-marital affair.[2] This was followed by Ranmuiy which was "half-directed" before he was roped into the project.[3] Directed alongside Abdulla Sujau, the film centers on the dispute between a daughter and her step-mother.[3]
In 2002, Faththaah directed a romantic film Aan... Aharenves Loabivin which starred Ali Seezan, Sheela Najeeb, Niuma Mohamed, Aminath Rasheedha and Neena Saleem which follows an only child of a family who had a bitter relationship with her lovers and an unfortunate incident leading her to suffer from amnesia.[4] Upon release, the film opened to a positive response from critics and was a commercially successful project.[5] His next directorial venture was the horror film Eynaa (2004), in which appeared Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Shah, Khadheeja Ibrahim Didi, Ibrahim Jihad and Nashidha Mohamed as six colleagues who go on a picnic to a haunted uninhabited island and their battle for survival.[6][7] The film garnered critical appreciation especially for its technical department and was a commercial success.[8] The film fetched him the Best Editor award at Miadhu Crystal Award ceremony.[9]
In 2010, Fatathaah released another horror film Jinni starring Ali Seezan and Mariyam Afeefa in lead roles.[13] Based on true incidents that occurred in an island of Maldives, the film focuses on Javid who has been enthralled by a ghost. Prior to release, the film was marketed to be full of "suspense and uniqueness" compared to other Maldivian horror films. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics; the majority of them complaining for having the "same old feeling" of prior horror films though the performances were noted to be satisfactory. Despite the mixed reviews, the film witnessed a positive response at the box office, declaring it as a Mega-Hit; financially the most successful film of Faththaah's.[1][14] At the 1st Maldives Film Awards, Fatathaah received a nomination as Best Director and Editor while winning Best Choreographer award for the song "Thundimatheega".[15][16]
A series of horror films were continued with his next release, 14 Vileyrey (2011) featuring Ali Seezan, Aishath Rishmy and Mariyam Nisha.[17] Written by Ibrahim Waheed, the project faced controversy when the team of Kuhveriakee Kaakuhey? accused Faththaah for "purloining the plot" of the latter.[17] The film and his work received mixed to positive reviews from critics; "Faththaah has directed the film in a lavishly engaging manner until it reaches to a little inconvenient climax".[18] The film did good business at the box office and was declared a "Hit".[19] His collaboration with Ali Seezan and Aishath Rishmy was repeated in his next release, a romantic film Love Story (2012).[20] The film and his direction received a negative response from critics.[21] Displeased with the screenplay and performance of the actors, Ahmed Nadheem of Haveeru wrote: "None of the actors were given scope to build their characters and none was able to justify their character. Barring a charming poster and title, nothing works in the film; biggest letdown by Fathtaah in his career".[21] Despite the negative reviews, Faththaah received several nominations including Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Editing, Best Art Direction and three separate nominations for Best Choreography while winning in the same category at 3rd Maldives Film Awards.[22][23]
It was followed by a family drama film, Aadheys (2014) starring Niuma Mohamed, Hussain Sobah, Amira Ismail, Moosa Zakariyya, Fathimath Azifa and Ali Azim.[24] Filming was completed in 2011, though it was released three years following the death of film producer Hassain Ali.[25] It revolves around a sacrificing mother and her affection towards her child.[24] Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics and failed to leave an impression commercially. Ismail Naail reviewing from Vaguthu wrote: "The film focuses on family issues, identity issues and includes romantic components and several other aspects making it a mixed bag of emotions. It has several issues in the technical department though its melodrama might leave an impact on audience".[26]
Faththaah announced his retirement after releasing his romantic drama Hahdhu (2017) which was his most expensive film produced.[27] The film touched upon controversial issues in the Maldives including the depiction of flogging and also shines a light on mental health by featuring an attempted suicide.[28] A reviewer from Avas wrote: "The film may not be a first class movie but it has integrated a benchmark in video quality. Camerawork, videography and direction deserves special mention".[29] The film opened to mixed reviews from critics though it emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of the year.[30]
In 2019, first Maldivian anthology film was released which credited Faththaah as the director of the segment titled Dharifiri which focuses on mother-son incest.[31] The project was filmed in 2013 and digitally released six years later due to several delays in post-production, where the producer of the film criticizes Farooq for "failing" to complete his segment during the stipulated time period took over the post-production.[32]
Personal life
Faththaah is married to Aminath Azza, a teacher working at Aminiya School.[1] On 23 December 2004, Azza gave birth to a son, Ali Ayyoob Abdul Fathah.
Fathimath Azifa is a Maldivian film actress. She has established a career in Maldivian films and is the recipient of several awards, including a Gaumee Film Award.
Ahmed Saeed is a Maldivian film actor and director.
Fathimath Zeenath, commonly known as Zeenath Abbas is a Maldivian actress. She has established a career in Maldivian films and is the recipient of a Gaumee Film Award.
Arifa Ibrahim is a Maldivian actress, producer, director and writer.
Niuma Mohamed is a Maldivian film actress, director, and producer. The highest-paid actress in Maldives, Mohamed is the recipient of several awards, including two Gaumee Film Awards, and four Maldives Film Awards. She holds the record for collecting all three Maldives Film Awards for Best Actress in a feature film. In 2011, the Government of Maldives honoured her with the National Award of Recognition.
Amira Ismail is a Maldivian actress.
Aminath Rasheedha is a Maldivian actress and director.
Fauziyya Hassan was a Maldivian film actress. She made her film debut in Sidha in 1985. In 1994 she was arrested by the Indian police on espionage charges relating to the Indian Space Research Organisation. She and a friend were accused of passing sensitive defence information to Pakistan. The espionage case against Hassan was not proven and eventually other charges were dropped, though she spent three years in prison under the National Security Act.
Neena Saleem is a Maldivian actress.
Mariyam Nisha is a Maldivian former actress.
Khadheeja Ibrahim Didi is a Maldivian film actress.
Mariyam Shakeela is a Maldivian film actress.
Mohamed Afrah Hassan, commonly known as Mohamed Afrah was a Maldivian film actor and producer.
Hassan Ali Manik professionally known as Koyya Hassan Manik was a Maldivian film actor and producer.
Moosa Manik commonly known as Chilhiya Moosa Manik was a Maldivian film actor and writer.
Waleedha Waleed is a Maldivian film actress, choreographer, director, seamstress and politician.
Hussain Sobah is a Maldivian film actor, music composer and playback singer.
Ibrahim Wisan, nicknamed as Kandi, is a Maldivian cinematographer, actor, and director.
Mariyam Zuhura is a Maldivian former film actress.
Mahdi Ahmed 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.
↑ Maaha, Aishath (26 February 2018). "Who is the Best Actor?". Dho? (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
↑ Maaha, Aishath (20 November 2017). "Fahthah quits film-making". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
↑ Faisal, Ibrahim (24 April 2013). "Release of Aadheys postponed". Addu Live (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
↑ Nail, Ismail (10 October 2014). "Aadheys: A mixed bag". Vaguthu (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
↑ Nadheem, Ahmed (15 February 2017). "Azza charging a high price". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
↑ Adhushan, Ahmed (17 October 2017). "Are these stars fallen?". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
↑ 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.
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