Ahmed Ziya

Ahmed Ziya
Ziya at Niuma Mohamed's Silver Jubilee celebration event, 2019
Born	(1981-02-04) 4 February 1981 (age 42)
Nationality	Maldivian
Occupation(s)	Actor, editor, director
Years active	2002–present

Ahmed Ziya (born 4 February 1981) is a Maldivian film actor, editor and director.

Career

In 2002, Ziya played the love interest of an ill-treated outsider in Abdul Faththaah's Fahu Fiyavalhu . ^[1] Afterwards, he played small roles in other television series including Faththaah's Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee and Amjad Ibrahim's Kamana Vareh Neiy . ^[2] In 2004, he appeared in Mohamed Abdulla's comedy short films series Dheke Dhekeves in two of its installments, followed by Yoosuf Shafeeu's horror children's short film series Vasvaas by playing the role of Sheikhul Hayya, a saint man. ^[3] From 2007 to 2010, he mainly starred in short films in which several of them were directed by himself including Dhalhamathi, Nukandaa 2, The Boat, Keevvehey Vakivee Yaaraa? and Maafkuraashey Kalaa.

In 2011, he played a brief role in the Moomin Fuad-directed crime tragedy drama Loodhifa , which features an ensemble cast and deals with current social issues in the society told from different perspectives of the characters. ^{[4] [5]} Made on a budget of MVR 600,000, the film was declared a commercial failure though it received wide critical acclaim, praising the performance of cast and the film's "realism" in its language, characters and their attitude. ^[5] His next release was Ali Seezan's war action comedy film Wathan . ^{[6] [7]} Upon release the film received negative response from critics, where Haveeru Daily felt the film "deceived" the audience in the name of action thriller; "I highly doubt if the project team was even sure of what kind of movie they were planning to make. It is a total mess between a serious action movie and scoop comedy". ^[7] The film was further criticed for remaking several shots from Jim Abrahams's parody film, Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993). ^[8] He was next featured as a gang member in Yoosuf Shafeeu's action drama film Insaaf (2011) which revolves around the disputes between two districts of an island. ^{[9] [10]} Upon release, the film received mixed to positive reviews from critics. ^[11] Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru was impressed with the editing by Ziya and Shafeeu, though he notes the former's performance as "strictly average". ^[11] Despite the reviews, he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor and Best Editor at 2nd Maldives Film Awards. ^[12]

In 2013, he starred in a small role in Hussain Munawwar's second direction, the revenge thriller film Dhilakani (2013) along with Ismail Rasheed, Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik, Mohamed Faisal and Aminath Rishfa. ^[13] The film which deals with a man's tumultuous journey to seek vengeance and the demolition of family bond over a girl attracted negative reception from critics while Nadheem wrote: "Embraced with futile characters, impractical scenes and outdated music, the film problematic in each department". ^{[14] [15]}

Personal life

Ziya married Sidhatha Shareef, former Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, on 21 February 2021. ^[16] Ziya had two previous wives and has a child to one of them. ^[16]

Filmography

Feature film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref(s)
2010	Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa	Fairooz's agent	Special appearance	[17]
2011	Loodhifa	Jinatte		[5]
2011	Wathan	Ziya		[7]
2011	Insaaf	Naabe	Also the editor Nominated—Maldives Film Award for Best Supporting Actor	[11] [12]
2013	Dhilakani	Raalhey		[15]
2019	Nivairoalhi	Doctor		[18]

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref(s)
2002	Fahu Fiyavalhu	Firaq	Recurring role; 5 episodes	[1]
2003	Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee	Afzal	Guest role	[19]
2004	Kamana Vareh Neiy	Journalist	Guest role; "Episode 2"	[2]
2006	Nethi Dhiyayas	Customer	Guest role; "Episode 4"	[20]
2008	FB!		Main role; 5 episodes	[21]
2008	Kushakaanulaa Shazaa Nudheyshey		Main role	[21]
2008	Loabin Hiyy Furenee	Naafil	Main role; 13 episodes Also the director and editor	[22]
2012	Kaiveni	Assad	Main role; 4 episodes Also the editor	[23]
2013	Adhives Eloaibah Gadharu Kuran	Ziyad's friend	Guest role	[24]
2021	Avahteriya	Lucky	Main role; 9 episodes	[25]
2021	Giridha	Rameez	Recurring role; 5 episodes	[26]
2023	Hayyaru	Seexer	Recurring role; 15 episodes	[27]

Short film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2004	Dheke Dhekeves 1	Fareed
2004	Falhi Sikunthu 1	Himself	Special appearance in the song "Meheboob Magey"
2005	Dheke Dhekeves 2	Fareed
2006	Vasvaas 1	Sheikhul Hayya
2007	Vasvaas 3	Sheikhul Hayya
2007	Nudhaashe Dhookohfaa Loabivaa	Hussain
2007	Dhalhamathi	Azim	Also the director
2007	Nukan'daa 2	Mushtharee	Also the editor
2007	Vasvaas 4	Sheikhul Hayya
2007	Paneeno	King Dinamo
2007	Barbafar
2008	The Boat	Siraj's friend	Also co-director
2008	Kurafi Dhaadha	Sheikhul Hayya
2009	Lhakoe	Himself	Special appearance
2010	Keevvehey Vakivee Yaaraa?	Anwar	Also the director
2010	Maafkuraashey Kalaa	Falah	Also the director
2010	Crime Petrol-1: Nuva Aharuge Anhen Kujjehge Nimun
2018	Kan'du Ibilees

Other work

Year	Title	Director	Camera	Editor	Notes
2007	Kudafoolhaai Paree Dhahtha			Yes	Short film
2007	Foolhu Dhigu Handi 2			Yes	Short film
2007	Loabeegaa Dhon U		Yes	Yes	Short film
2007	Dhalhamathi	Yes			Short film
2007	Nukan'daa 2			Yes	Short film
2008	Loabin Hiyy Furenee	Yes		Yes	Television series; 13 episodes
2008	The Boat	Yes		Yes	Short film; co-directed with Ibrahim Wisan
2008	Kurafi Dhaadha			Yes	Short film; co-edited with Ali Musthafa
2009	Baaraige Fas			Yes	Feature film
2010	Keevvehey Vakivee Yaaraa?	Yes			Short film
2010	Maafkuraashey Kalaa	Yes			Short film
2011	Insaaf			Yes	Feature film; co-edited with Yoosuf Shafeeu
2012	Kaiveni			Yes	Television series; 4 episodes
2012	Dhirumeh Nethas			Yes	Television series; 5 episodes
2018	Reyvumun			Yes	Feature film

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref(s)
2012	2nd Maldives Film Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Insaaf	Nominated	[12]
		Best Editing	Insaaf (Shared with Yoosuf Shafeeu)	Nominated	[12]

References

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Hussain, Fazleen (11 March 2016). "Muhamma returns to film industry after five years". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
4. Nadheem, Ahmed (16 December 2010). "Expectations for "Loodhifa" is high". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
5. Naif, Ahmed (15 February 2011). "Loodhifa; Up-righting the fraternal film industry". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
6. 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.
7. Nadheem, Ahmed (18 September 2011). "A big surprise from the team of "Wathan"". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
8. Nadheem, Ahmed (18 September 2011). "Seezan in a mess for copying "Hot Shots"". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
9. Nadheem, Ahmed (17 November 2011). "Premier date of "Insaaf" delayed". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
10. Nadheem, Ahmed (22 October 2011). ""Insaaf": Can this be a different film from Yooppe?". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 24 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
11. Nadheem, Ahmed (8 December 2011). ""Insaaf": A totally different film". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
12. "Feature Film Nominations Announced". Maldives Film Awards (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Nadheem, Ahmed (19 June 2013). ""Dhilakani" Review". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
16. Rasheed, Ahmed (21 February 2021). "Congratulations, ZIya and Shidhatha got married". MuniAvas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
17. Naseer, Ismail (18 February 2010). "Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa to release on April 5". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 21 February 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
18. Maaha, Aishath (11 January 2019). "Nivaroalhi Review: Its heartbreaking to say Good Bye". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
19. Adhushan, Ahmed (28 June 2020). "Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee streaming on Baiskoaf". Mihaaru. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
20. Maaha, Aishath (7 June 2017). "Isse rising to the peak?". Avas. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
21. Adhushan, Ahmed (14 September 2017). "11 years anniversary for DRE; what did they achieve?". Dho (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
22. Adam, Ahmed Hameed (11 December 2020). "Star's Story: Best Actor in Maldives". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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. Ifraz, Ali (14 March 2018). "Who would excel in the acting field in "Huvaa"". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
25. Adam, Ahmed Hameed (12 June 2021). "Eupe's "Avahteriya" streaming on Baiskoafu". Avas. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
26. Rasheed, Ahmed (29 August 2021). ""Giridha"'s trailer is laugh riot". MuniAvas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
27. ""Hayyaru" Premiers on Videoclub". MediaNet. 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.