Ismail Wajeeh (20 September 1962) is a Maldivian actor and choreographer.

Early life

While studying in primary school, Wajeeh, along with his nephews used to perform songs and stage shows to small gatherings. While studying in grade 4, he was offered to be part of an English radio drama produced by the

Voice of Maldives Voice of Maldives, or Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu (), is a radio station in the Republic of Maldives. ''Raajjé Radio'', owned by the state, began broadcasting in 1962, under the name 'Male Radio'. It runs two radio channels, Voice of Maldives on 145 ...

, titled "The Enormous Turnip". During his secondary education, he played small roles in stage dramas as an extra. In 1982, he got offered by the leading theatre performing group, Cultural and Drama Society (CDS) to be part of their group.

Career

In 1984, while Wajeeh was working in

Television Maldives Television Maldives (TVM) is the public service broadcasting TV channel of the Maldives. It was formed on 29 March 1978. History The station started broadcasting on 29 March 1978 to a very limited audience, 90 television sets around the capita ...

, he meets the director Mohamed Hilmy, a friend of his brother, who asked Wajeeh if he is interested to be the lead actor of his upcoming film, ''Chuttee'' (1984), to which he agrees instantly. In the film, he played a shady character which was well received by the critics and audience. The Mohamed Hilmy and Ali Waheed directed film, ''

Ihsaas ''Ihsaas'' is a 1993 Maldivian drama film directed by Mohamed Hilmy and Ali Waheed. Produced by MAPA, the film stars Ismail Wajeeh, Reeko Moosa Manik, Hamid Wajeeh, Aminath Shiyaza, Ameena and Yadhiya Hilmy in pivotal roles. Premise Mohamed Una ...

'' was released in 1993 in which Wajeeh starred as an orphan who is psychologically disturbed following a

false arrest False arrest, unlawful arrest or wrongful arrest is a common law tort, where a plaintiff alleges they were held in custody without probable cause, or without an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. Although it is possible to sue ...

. His "genuine" performance received positive reviews from critics and resulted in winning a

Gaumee Film Award for Best Actor The Gaumee Film Award for Best Actor is given as part of the Gaumee Film Awards for Maldivian Films. The award was first given in 1995. Here is a list of the award winners and the nominees of the respective award ceremonies. Superlatives Winn ...

. The next year, he starred in Ali Waheed-directed '' Kulunu'' where he played the role of a doctor who is forced to marry his childhood friend. Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series ''

Kahthiri ''Kahthiri'' is a Maldivian television series developed for Television Maldives by Mariyam Shaugee. Produced by Television Maldives in collaboration with UNFPA, the series stars Arifa Ibrahim, Ibrahim Shakir, Ali Shameel, Hassan Afeef, Ahmed Giya ...

'' was released in 1997; here Wajeeh played the role of a stay home husband, living in a congested housing complex while dealing with various social issues. In 2000, he appeared in two films; Hussain Shihab's drama film '' Rihun'' and Mohamed Ali Manik's '' Maazee'' alongside

Jamsheedha Ahmed Jamsheedha Ahmed (2 December 1978) is a Maldivian actress. Career 1996–99: Early releases and ''Amaanaaiy'' Ahmed made her screen debut in 1996 with the video single titled "Nudhaashe Dhookohfaa Loabivaa" performed by Abdul Sameeu. Recalling ...

, Mariyam Nazima and

Aminath Rasheedha Aminath Rasheedha (born 27 February 1967) is a Maldivian actress and director. Career 1993–2006: Early releases and directorial debut In 1995, Rasheedha appeared in Mohamed Shiyaz's ''Dhushman'' which features Hussain Sobah, Mariyam Nisha and ...

which narrates the story of two best friends, a boy and a girl, who get separated at childhood and reunite as adults. Ahmed played the role of underprivileged young man who turns into a successful person due to his hardwork and determination. The following year he starred as a widower in the Abdulla Sujau and

Abdul Faththaah Abdul Faththaah Abdul Gayyoom (born 6 December 1971), commonly known as Abdul Faththaah is a Maldivians, Maldivian film director, Film producer, producer, Film editing, editor, screenwriter and Choreography, choreographer. One of the most successf ...

-directed family drama '' Ranmuiy'' (2001) which is centered on the dispute between a daughter and her step-mother. The film was heavily marketed for its item song featuring himself and Indian actress Rajeshwari, which also marks the first international collaboration in the local industry. Afterwards, he relocated to

Singapore Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...

and disappeared in all local productions. Sixteen years later, Wajeeh made a comeback in a special appearance with the

Dark Rain Entertainment Dark Rain Entertainment is a Maldivian production company based in Male' producing Maldivian films. Established in 2006, the studio has produced the first Maldivian films shot entirely in HD, 3D and on DSLR. History The studio's first feature ...

's production, the romantic comedy '' Mee Loaybakee'' (2017) followed by another of their comedy films '' Maamui'' (2019).

Personal life

Apart from acting, Wajeeh served as the Assistant Principal in Jamaluddin School. Afterwards, he started working as a program coordinator at

. He married a Singapore-Indian woman residing in

and relocated to Singapore in 2001, hoping to provide better education for their children.

Filmography

Feature film

Television

Accolades

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wajeeh, Ismail Living people People from Malé 21st-century Maldivian actors Maldivian film actors 1962 births