Amjad Ibrahim
Ibrahim attending Olympus reopening ceremony, 2023
Born (1967-09-11) 11 September 1967 (age 56)
Male', Maldives
Occupation(s)director, screenwriter
Years active1995–present

Amjad Ibrahim Didi (born 11 September 1967), commonly known as Amjad Ibrahim, is a Maldivian film director and screenwriter.

Early life

After completing eleven years of service in Maldives National Defence Force, Ibrahim decided to pursue a career in film direction due to his "fondness" towards film-making process.[1] His first work as a director was Naifaru Dhohokko's video single "Maslahathu Neiy An'binney", followed by directing six songs for the television program, Maazeege Handhaan.[1] His first television drama, Maaburuge Usoolu was released in 1995 produced by the Maldives National Defence Force.[1]

Career

Amjad Ibrahim wrote and released his debut-direction, a drama film Huras in 1996, which features Hassan Afeef, Mariyam Rasheedha, Vazuna Ahmed, Koyya Hassan Manik and Arifa Ibrahim in pivotal roles.[2] The film which focuses on an immoral relationship between a teacher and a student was developed solely with the intention of winning Gaumee Film Awards though it failed to garner any award at 2nd Gaumee Film Awards ceremony.[3] The following year, he released the commercially successful romantic drama film Loabeega Aniyaa (1997) which appears Mariyam Nisha, an established actress her career for an underprivileged talented vocalist (Hussain Sobah).[2] The film launched Jamsheedha Ahmed as an actress and Ibrahim considers it as one of his "biggest accomplishments" he has achieved in the industry.[2] The next year, Ibrahim made his screen debut in Hamid Ali's drama film Mila Handhuvaru (1998), starred as the grandfather of Mariyam (Mariyam Nisha), a pampered child of a family trapped in a lie.[4]

Ibrahim next launched actor Yoosuf Shafeeu with his comedy drama film Qurbaani (2000) featuring Shafeeu, Mariyam Nisha and Hussain Sobah.[5] The film was a financially successful project and was declared a Mega-Hit at the end of its run at cinema.[5] Post Shafeeu's debut, Ibrahim roped him in several other projects he worked in. The same year, he released Ainbehge Loabi Firiehge Vaajib (2000) starring Yoosuf Shafeeu, Jamsheedha Ahmed, Arifa Ibrahim and Niuma Mohamed.[6] The film revolves around a woman who has been mistreated by her step-mother and forced into a marriage she disapproves.[7]

In 2001, Ibrahim directed Aaah starring Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Jamsheedha Ahmed, Mohamed Shavin and Ibrahim Giyas which revolves around two siblings involved in family business and the downfall of the younger brother's love life when he discovers his fiancé is already married to an abusive husband.[8] The following year, he released two films; a horror film Sandhuravirey (2002) which narrates the story of a female jinn aiming to win the heart of a human being and a drama film starring Shafeeu and Sheela Najeeb, Kahvalhah Dhaandhen (2002).[7][9] Featuring Shafeeu and Mariyam Nisha in lead roles, the former received poor reviews from critics.[9]

This was followed by a series of poorly received horror films. In 2003, he released the romantic horror film Dhonkamana (2003) which depicts the romantic relationship between a young man (Yoosuf Shafeeu) and an old woman (Fauziyya Hassan).[10] Starring additional cast including Sheela Najeeb, Niuma Mohamed, Sheereen Abdul Wahid, Amira Ismail and Aminath Rasheedha, received mainly negative reviews from critics though its inclusion of the theme portraying the relationship between a couple with a large age gap was appraised.[9] The following year, his next directorial venture Sandhuravirey 2 (2004) which was a sequel to his 2002 horror film Sandhuravirey.[9] Marked as the first Maldivian sequel, the cast of the film includes Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Zeenath Abbas, Mohamed Shavin and Sheereen Abdul Wahid.[9] Similar to its prequel, the film received negative response from critics.[9]

Ibrahim in 2006

In 2009, he again worked in two romantic horror films Udhabaani and Baaraige Fas. The former stars Yoosuf Shafeeu as the boyfriend of a school student (Amira Ismail) who has been harassed by a supernatural force.[11] Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics although it performed well at the box office, making it Ibrahim's most successful venture.[11] The latter follows a temptress vampire (Mariyam Nisha) who goes into a killing spree to quench her thirst.[12] The film received mainly negative reviews from critics though he fetched his only Maldives Film Award nomination as the Best Director.[13]

This was followed by a horror film, Mendhamuge Evaguthu (2010) co-written and co-directed by him alongside Yoosuf Shafeeu.[1] It follows a group of ten friends watching a horror film which is being influenced by a narration in it.[1] His next horror film Vakinuvinama (2010) was a critical and commercial failure.[14] This was followed by his family drama Hithey Dheymee (2011) which received negative reviews from critics and was a box office disaster.[15] The same year, his suspense thriller film Hafaraaiy (2011) was released starring Yoosuf Shafeeu, Ali Shameel, Mariyam Shakeela, Amira Ismail and Fathimath Fareela, which was a critical and commercial failure.[16] Based on a real incident, the film narrates a story of a cannibal woman who is addicted to eating human flesh, how she victimised the inhabitants with her face covered in a veil.[16] The film received criticism for its "fragile" plot, "unnecessary" characters though its makeup was appreciated.[16] Ahmed Naif from Sun wrote: "neither scientifically nor psychologically, it has been proven in the film how a chicken addict turns to be a cannibal. The film slides from a suspense thriller to a comedy for its inclusion of inconceivable details".[16]

After the film Hafaraaiy (2011), Ibrahim took a break of eight years before returning to the work of film direction.[17] In 2018, he released another horror film Reyvumun which marks his fifty-second direction.[17]

Filmography

Feature films

Year Title Director Screenplay Notes Ref(s)
1996 Huras Yes Yes [3]
1997 Hinithun Yes Yes [2]
1997 Loabeega Aniyaa Yes Yes [2]
1998 Mila Handhuvaru Starred as Adamfulhu [4]
1999 Qurbaani Yes [5]
2000 Hiyy Halaaku Special appearance as a parent [18]
2000 Ainbehge Loabi Firiehge Vaajib Yes Yes [6]
2000 Majubooru Loabi Yes Special appearance in Shifna & Naushad's wedding
2001 Aaah Yes Starred as Javid; Junaid's father [8]
2002 Sandhuravirey Yes Yes [9]
2002 Kahvalhah Dhaandhen Yes Yes [7]
2003 Dhonkamana Yes Yes [9]
2004 Sandhuravirey 2 Yes [9]
2006 Hithuge Edhun Yes
2009 Udhabaani Yes Yes [11]
2009 Baaraige Fas Yes Yes Nominated - Maldives Film Award for Best Director [13]
2010 Mi Hiyy Keekkuraanee? Yes
2010 Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa Special appearance in the song "Annaashey Hinithunvelamaa" [19]
2010 Mendhamuge Evaguthu Yes Yes [1]
2010 Vakinuvinama Yes [14]
2011 Hafaraaiy Yes [15]
2011 Hithey Dheymee Yes Yes [16]
2018 Reyvumun Yes Yes [16]
TBA Udhabaani 2 Yes
TBA Dheythee Aniyaa Yes
TBA Gilan Yes Also the producer

Short films

Year Title Director Screenplay Notes Ref(s)
2001 Paree Dhahtha Yes Yes Children's short-film [20]
2001 Santhi Mariyanbu 1 Yes Yes Children's short-film
2001 Safaru Kaiydha Yes Yes Children's short-film
2001 Foolhu Dhigu Handi Yes Yes Children's short-film
2004 Falhi Sikunthu 1 Yes Yes [21]
2004 Keymaatu Yes Yes Children's short-film
2007 Santhi Mariyanbu 2 Yes Yes Children's short-film
2007 Foolhu Dhigu Handi 2 Yes Yes Children's short-film [9]
2007 Jinneenge Dharubaaru Yes Yes Children's short-film [20]
2007 Kudafoolhaai Paree Dhahtha Yes Yes Children's short-film [9]
2008 Guest House Room Number:201 Yes Yes [20]
2008 Kurafi Dhaadha Yes Yes Children's short-film
2009 Loaraiybe Yes Yes Children's short-film
2009 Santhi Mariyanbu 3 Yes Yes Children's short-film [22]
2012 Safaru Kaiydha 2 Yes Yes Children's short-film
2014 Fensiru Yes Yes Children's short-film

Television

Year Title Director Screenplay Notes Ref(s)
1995 Maaburuge Usoolu Yes Teledrama
1996 Veyn Yes Teledrama
2004 Kamana Vareh Neiy Yes 5 episodes
2019 Shhh Yes 5 episodes
2020 Hanaa Yes 13 episodes [23]
2022 Bridge Yes Yes 10 episodes [24]

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref(s)
2006 National Award of Recognition Performing Arts - Film direction Won [1]
2011 1st Maldives Film Awards Best Director Baaraige Fas Nominated [13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "National Award of Recognition 2006 – Amajd Ibrahim". Presidency Maldives (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e Abdulla, Azlifa (7 January 2017). "Amjey is unlucky when it comes to awards". Raajje.mv (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  3. ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (23 December 2016). "Amjey shocked with his deserving award". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (24 February 2018). "Who are the most profitable producers?". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Maaha, Aishath (27 November 2015). "Eupe and Isse; Better Actor and Famous Actor". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Amjay honored with Lifetime Achievement Award". Sun. 22 December 2016. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "Amjay's contribution in the industry is recommended". PSMNews (in Divehi). 4 February 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Gaumee Inaam 2003 – Yoosuf Shafeeu". Presidency Maldives (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Adhushan, Ahmed (30 January 2017). "A festival of Amjey's films to be organized". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  10. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (7 January 2018). ""Reyvumun": Another romantic horror film by Amjay". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Nadheem, Ahmed (18 February 2015). "How much will you rate Amjey?". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  12. ^ Ibrahim, Nafahath (3 August 2018). "Maldivian Glitterati circa 1990s'". Edition. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  13. ^ a b c 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.
  14. ^ a b MNBC (15 October 2010). "Dhivehi Film Vakinuvinama – Heyanboa (15 oct 2010) mnbc-956". Youtube (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  15. ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (26 September 2016). "Whats up with Hatharu Udhares Ayya?". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Naif, Ahmed (14 March 2011). "Review of Amjay's Hafaraaiy". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  17. ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (24 March 2018). "Amjey's "Reyvumun" premiering tonight!". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Naseer, Ismail (18 February 2010). "Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa to release on April 5". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2010-02-21. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  20. ^ a b c Adhushan, Ahmed (23 December 2016). "Amjey shocked with his deserving award". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "A sneak peak into local myths and folks". MuniAvas (in Divehi). 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  23. ^ Jaishan, Ahmed (6 March 2020). "Hanaa Review: a simple melodrama with an outdated setting". MuniAvas. Archived from the original on 1 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  24. ^ Rasheede, Ahmed (22 August 2021). "Filming for Amjey's "Bridge" almost completed". MuniAvas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.

External links

Amjad Ibrahim at IMDb

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