Amjad Ibrahim Didi (born 11 September 1967), commonly known as Amjad Ibrahim, is a
Maldivian film director
A film director or filmmaker is a person who controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfillment of that Goal, vision. The director has a key role ...
and
screenwriter
A screenwriter (also called scriptwriter, scribe, or scenarist) is a person who practices the craft of writing for visual mass media, known as screenwriting. These can include short films, feature-length films, television programs, television ...
.
Early life
After completing eleven years of service in
Maldives National Defence Force
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF; ) is the military, national military responsible for defending the national security, security and sovereignty of the Maldives. It is primarily responsible per the Constitution of the Maldives, constitut ...
, Ibrahim decided to pursue a career in film direction due to his "fondness" towards film-making process.
[ 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''.][ His first television drama, ''Maaburuge Usoolu'' was released in 1995 produced by the ]Maldives National Defence Force
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF; ) is the military, national military responsible for defending the national security, security and sovereignty of the Maldives. It is primarily responsible per the Constitution of the Maldives, constitut ...
.
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
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 bless ...
in pivotal roles. 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
The Gaumee Film Awards aka Dhivehi Film Awards are presented by National Centre for the Arts to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Maldivian film industry. The Gaumee Film Award ceremony is the oldest film event ...
though it failed to garner any award at 2nd Gaumee Film Awards ceremony. The following year, he released the commercially successful romantic drama film '' Loabeega Aniyaa'' (1997) which appears Mariyam Nisha
Mariyam Nisha (born 19 May 1979) is a Maldivian actress.
Early life
Nisha was born on 19 May 1979 in Dh. Rinbudhoo. She recalled her childhood days as a "disturbing chapter" of life where she had to refrain from enjoying with friends due to a sk ...
, an established actress her career for an underprivileged talented vocalist (Hussain Sobah
Hussain Sobah (born 11 November 1972) is a Maldivian film actor, music composer and playback singer.
Career
In 1995, Sobah featured in Mohamed Shiyaz's ''Dhushman'' alongside Mariyam Nisha, Aminath Rasheedha and Hamid Ali in pivotal roles. In the ...
).[ The film launched ]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 ...
as an actress and Ibrahim considers it as one of his "biggest accomplishments" he has achieved in the industry.[ 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
Mariyam Nisha (born 19 May 1979) is a Maldivian actress.
Early life
Nisha was born on 19 May 1979 in Dh. Rinbudhoo. She recalled her childhood days as a "disturbing chapter" of life where she had to refrain from enjoying with friends due to a sk ...
), a pampered child of a family trapped in a lie.
Ibrahim next launched actor Yoosuf Shafeeu
Yoosuf Shafeeu also known as Eupe (20 October 1975) is a Maldivian film actor, director, producer, writer and editor. Regarded as one of the most successful figures in Maldivian cinema, Shafeeu is the recipient numerous accolades, including eigh ...
with his comedy drama film '' Qurbaani'' (2000) featuring Shafeeu, Mariyam Nisha
Mariyam Nisha (born 19 May 1979) is a Maldivian actress.
Early life
Nisha was born on 19 May 1979 in Dh. Rinbudhoo. She recalled her childhood days as a "disturbing chapter" of life where she had to refrain from enjoying with friends due to a sk ...
and Hussain Sobah
Hussain Sobah (born 11 November 1972) is a Maldivian film actor, music composer and playback singer.
Career
In 1995, Sobah featured in Mohamed Shiyaz's ''Dhushman'' alongside Mariyam Nisha, Aminath Rasheedha and Hamid Ali in pivotal roles. In the ...
.[ The film was a financially successful project and was declared a Mega-Hit at the end of its run at cinema.] 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
Yoosuf Shafeeu also known as Eupe (20 October 1975) is a Maldivian film actor, director, producer, writer and editor. Regarded as one of the most successful figures in Maldivian cinema, Shafeeu is the recipient numerous accolades, including eigh ...
, 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 ...
, 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 bless ...
and Niuma Mohamed. The film revolves around a woman who has been mistreated by her step-mother and forced into a marriage she disapproves.[
In 2001, Ibrahim directed '' Aaah'' starring Shafeeu, ]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, including one Gaumee Film Awards and two Maldivian Film Awards. She made her screen ...
, 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 ...
, 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. The following year, he released two films; a horror film '' Sandhuravirey'' (2002) which narrates the story of a female jinn
Jinn or djinn (), alternatively genies, are supernatural beings in pre-Islamic Arabian religion and Islam.
Their existence is generally defined as parallel to humans, as they have free will, are accountable for their deeds, and can be either ...
aiming to win the heart of a human being and a drama film starring Shafeeu and 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, including one Gaumee Film Awards and two Maldivian Film Awards. She made her screen ...
, '' Kahvalhah Dhaandhen'' (2002).[ Featuring Shafeeu and ]Mariyam Nisha
Mariyam Nisha (born 19 May 1979) is a Maldivian actress.
Early life
Nisha was born on 19 May 1979 in Dh. Rinbudhoo. She recalled her childhood days as a "disturbing chapter" of life where she had to refrain from enjoying with friends due to a sk ...
in lead roles, the former received poor reviews from critics.
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
Yoosuf Shafeeu also known as Eupe (20 October 1975) is a Maldivian film actor, director, producer, writer and editor. Regarded as one of the most successful figures in Maldivian cinema, Shafeeu is the recipient numerous accolades, including eigh ...
) and an old woman (Fauziyya Hassan
Fauziyya Hassan (8 January 1942 – 31 August 2022) 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 Organisati ...
). Starring additional cast including 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, including one Gaumee Film Awards and two Maldivian Film Awards. She made her screen ...
, Niuma Mohamed, Sheereen Abdul Wahid, Amira Ismail
Amira Ismail (born 4 October 1985) is a Maldivian actress.
Career
Ismail first filmed for a film titled ''Loabi Dhasvejje'' which was ultimately delayed and shelved. She then collaborated with Amjad Ibrahim for his romantic horror film '' Dhonkam ...
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 ...
, 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.[ The following year, his next directorial venture '' Sandhuravirey 2'' (2004) which was a sequel to his 2002 horror film '' Sandhuravirey''.][ Marked as the first Maldivian sequel, the cast of the film includes Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Zeenath Abbas, Mohamed Shavin and Sheereen Abdul Wahid.][ Similar to its prequel, the film received negative response from critics.][
]
In 2009, he again worked in two romantic horror films '' Udhabaani'' and '' Baaraige Fas''. The former stars Yoosuf Shafeeu
Yoosuf Shafeeu also known as Eupe (20 October 1975) is a Maldivian film actor, director, producer, writer and editor. Regarded as one of the most successful figures in Maldivian cinema, Shafeeu is the recipient numerous accolades, including eigh ...
as the boyfriend of a school student (Amira Ismail
Amira Ismail (born 4 October 1985) is a Maldivian actress.
Career
Ismail first filmed for a film titled ''Loabi Dhasvejje'' which was ultimately delayed and shelved. She then collaborated with Amjad Ibrahim for his romantic horror film '' Dhonkam ...
) who has been harassed by a supernatural force.[ Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics although it performed well at the box office, making it Ibrahim's most successful venture.] The latter follows a temptress vampire (Mariyam Nisha
Mariyam Nisha (born 19 May 1979) is a Maldivian actress.
Early life
Nisha was born on 19 May 1979 in Dh. Rinbudhoo. She recalled her childhood days as a "disturbing chapter" of life where she had to refrain from enjoying with friends due to a sk ...
) who goes into a killing spree to quench her thirst. The film received mainly negative reviews from critics though he fetched his only Maldives Film Award nomination as the Best Director.
This was followed by a horror film, '' Mendhamuge Evaguthu'' (2010) co-written and co-directed by him alongside Yoosuf Shafeeu
Yoosuf Shafeeu also known as Eupe (20 October 1975) is a Maldivian film actor, director, producer, writer and editor. Regarded as one of the most successful figures in Maldivian cinema, Shafeeu is the recipient numerous accolades, including eigh ...
.[ It follows a group of ten friends watching a horror film which is being influenced by a narration in it.][ His next horror film ''Vakinuvinama'' (2010) was a critical and commercial failure.] This was followed by his family drama '' Hithey Dheymee'' (2011) which received negative reviews from critics and was a box office disaster. The same year, his suspense thriller film ''Hafaraaiy'' (2011) was released starring Yoosuf Shafeeu
Yoosuf Shafeeu also known as Eupe (20 October 1975) is a Maldivian film actor, director, producer, writer and editor. Regarded as one of the most successful figures in Maldivian cinema, Shafeeu is the recipient numerous accolades, including eigh ...
, Ali Shameel
Ali Shameel is a Maldivian film actor and director.
Career
In 1986, Shameel took part in a stage-play titled CDS-6, alongside Kashima Shakir, Mohamed Rasheed and Chilhiya Moosa Manik which was appreciated among the audience and he continues to ...
, Mariyam Shakeela, Amira Ismail
Amira Ismail (born 4 October 1985) is a Maldivian actress.
Career
Ismail first filmed for a film titled ''Loabi Dhasvejje'' which was ultimately delayed and shelved. She then collaborated with Amjad Ibrahim for his romantic horror film '' Dhonkam ...
and Fathimath Fareela, which was a critical and commercial failure.[ 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.][ The film received criticism for its "fragile" plot, "unnecessary" characters though its makeup was appreciated.][ 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".]
After the film ''Hafaraaiy'' (2011), Ibrahim took a break of eight years before returning to the work of film direction. In 2018, he released another horror film ''Reyvumun'' which marks his fifty-second direction.[
]
Filmography
Feature films
Short films
Television
Accolades
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ibrahim, Amjad
Living people
People from Malé
1967 births
Maldivian film directors