''Maamui'' is a Maldivian 2019 comedy film directed by

Ali Shifau Ali Shifau (born 19 May 1977) is a Maldivian film director, cinematographer and editor. One of the most successful filmmakers in Maldivian Cinema, Shifau is the recipient of a number of awards, including seven Gaumee Film Awards, and four Maldiv ...

. Produced by Mohamed Ali and Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq under

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 ...

, the film stars

Sheela Najeeb Sheela Najeeb (born 7 September 1974) is a Maldivian film actress. She has established a career in Maldivian Film Industry and is the recipient of several awards, one Gaumee Film Awards and two Maldivian Film Awards. She made her screen debut alo ...

Mohamed Jumayyil Mohamed Jumayyil is a Maldivian actor. He is the son of actor Ahmed Nimal Early life Mohamed Jumayyil's father Ahmed Nimal is one of the established actor and director of the industry. Jumayyil went to Ahmadiyya Pre-school as his first instituti ...

Mariyam Azza Mariyam Azza (born 20 April 1989) is a Maldivian film actress. She is the daughter of actress Aminath Rasheedha and younger sister to actress turned director Aishath Rishmy Early life Born in Malé, Azza is the daughter of actress Aminath Rashee ...

Mohamed Faisal Mohamed Faisal ( dv, މުޙައްމަދު ފައިސަލް; born 4 August 1988) is a Maldivian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Dhivehi Premier League club, Club Valencia and the Maldives national team. Faisal began his ca ...

Mariyam Majudha Mariyam Majudha (born 18 March 1988) is a Maldivian film actress. Career Majudha made her film debut in the Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq-directed ''Hulhudhaan'' as Sama (2014) alongside Roanu Hassan Manik, which was a critical success. The film was lat ...

Ismail Jumaih Ismail Jumaih is a Maldivian actor, choreographer and makeup artist. Career In 2016, Jumaih made his film debut in Hussain Munawwar's '' Neyngi Yaaru Vakivee'' alongside Aminath Rishfa and Ahmed Azmeel. Critics gave the film bad reviews and cons ...

and

Nuzuhath Shuaib Nuzuhath Shuaib (born 14 September 1988) is a Maldivian film actress. Early life Nuzuhath Shuaib was born on 14 September 1988 in N. Manadhoo. She was working at Jelly Pizza when her friend, a film actor Ali Azim introduced her to the team of ' ...

in pivotal roles. The film was released on 1 July 2019.

Premise

The film follows story of Pradeep Rauf (

Adam Rizwee Adam Rizwee is a Maldivian film actor. Career In 2014, Rizwee made his film debut in the Aishath Fuad Thaufeeg directed art film Hulhudhaan in a minor role. In 2015 he was cast in Ali Shifau-directed romantic film ''Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen'' ...

), a half Maldivian, half Indian gangster, who cons people and loots their money, and then make them forget who they are. Pradeep is visited by his boss Hudhu Mukhthaar (Ahmed Shakir) who is about to launch a brand new drug called "Maamui". As preparations for the launch gets underway, local police gives chase to Pradeep, which forces him to hide the bottle inside Salman's house, using his family friendship with Salman's wife, Haifa (

) as a pretext. Pradeep's plan backfires When Haifa's mother-in-law accidentally adds Maamui into a drink she prepared for her lover. He behaves strangely due to the drug effect of the drug, catching police's attention. In a cat and mouse chase for the drug, Pradeep loses his memory and Mukhthaar barely manages to escape police custody.

Cast

* Ahmed Shakir as Hudhu Mukhthar *

as Pradeep Rauf *

as Salman *

as Haifa *

as Vargina Saeed *

as Aboobakuru Rushdy *

as Taniya *

Abdullah Shafiu Ibrahim Abdullah Shafiu Ibrahim is a Maldivian film actor and playback singer. Career Ibrahim made his film debut with the Dark Rain Entertainment production, the Ali Shifau-directed romantic comedy '' Vaashey Mashaa Ekee'' (2016) opposite Mohamed Jumay ...

as Happu *

as Dhiyana * Ahmed Sunie as Reethi Issey *

Ali Shazleem Ali Shazleem is a Maldivian film actor, director and producer. Career Shazleem made his film debut in the Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq-directed ''Hulhudhaan'' (2014) alongside Mariyam Majudha, which was a critical success. The film was later screened at ...

as Bunny * Aishath Yaadha as Saniya * Maria Teresa Pagano as Romani * Samahath Razi Mohamed as Zara * Ibrahim Aman as Arsalan *

Hamdhan Farooq Hamdhan Farooq (born 3 June 1983) is a Maldivian film actor. Early life Farooq was born on 3 June 1983 in Ga. Dhaandhoo. His parents, Ali Farooq and Mariyam Haleem are actors working in the film industry since 1997. He is the brother of actor R ...

as Rozy * Ali Nadheeh as Switch *

Ismail Wajeeh 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 off ...

as Jaguar * Mariyam Sajiyath as Hudhu Mukhthar's fourth wife * Ahmed Naavy Ali as Dhaniyal * Ahmed Saeed as Dirty Boy * Mohamed Najah as Hudhu Mukhthar's Bodyguard * Mohamed Rifshan as Hudhu Mukhthar's Bodyguard * Maleeha Waheed as a gym member * Liam Adam as Jaguar's Bodyguard * Mohamed Waheed * Gasim Siraaj as Shifau * Maisha Ahmed *

Arifa Ibrahim Arifa Ibrahim (born 22 June 1955) is a Maldivian actress, producer, director and writer. Early life Daughter of late Ibrahim Fulhu and late Fathma Fulhu, Arifa Ibrahim was born on 22 June 1955. She got married at the age of fourteen and is blesse ...

as Arifa Ahmed (special appearance)

Development

The film was announced on 28 July 2017. Initially, Dark Rain Entertainment planned to release ''Maamui'' as a

web series A web series (also known as a web show) is a series of scripted or non-scripted online videos, generally in episodic form, released on the Internet, which first emerged in the late 1990s and became more prominent in the early 2000s. A single in ...

. However, unable to raise enough funds to develop it as a web series, the production team decided to release it as a feature film. Producer Mohamed Ali said; "we failed to entice sponsor to fund for the project, hence we opt to release the film in theaters. However, we intend to develop individual characters from the film and create a web series based on it". In April 2018, the star cast was confirmed to include

, Ahmed Sunil,

, Mariyam Noora, Ahmed Shazleem, Adam Rizvee, Ahmed Shakir and Ibrahim Aman. The film also introduces director Shifau's wife, Aishath Yaadha, who had previously worked in an office-teledrama. Veteran actor Ismail Wajeeh is reported to be featured in a small appearance in the film. Filming for the first schedule of the project was started on 6 May 2018 for a total of ten days. Second schedule of filming was started post Ramazan and shooting was completed on 7 November 2018.

Soundtrack

A promotional video of "Araigen Aai Iraaey" was released on 28 June 2019 which serves as a tribute to the yesteryear Maldivian songs including "Vaareyge Paree", "E Keevvebaa Ithubaaru Kuraashey Mithuraa", "Angaadheyshey Adhuvee Ruhigen Ey Malaa", "Maheynethi Dhaaney", "Farivefa Fonivefa" and "Dhaneehey Aisbalaa".

Release

The film was released on 1 July 2019.

References

{{Reflist 2019 films Dark Rain Entertainment films 2019 comedy films Maldivian comedy films Films directed by Ali Shifau Dhivehi-language films