{{short description|Maldivian director and screenwriter}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Mahdi Ahmed | honorific_suffix = | image = Mahdiahmed.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1971|10|17}} | birth_place = Malé, Maldives | citizenship = | alma_mater = | occupation = Screenwriter, Producer, Director | years_active = 1998–present | spouse = Aminath Shooza | children = 1 | works = | awards = }} '''Mahdi Ahmed''' (born 17 October 1971) is a Maldivian screenwriter, producer and film director. He made his career debut with critically acclaimed film ''Amaanaaiy'' (1998), which fetched him several awards including a Gaumee Film Award for Best Director and Best Screenplay. From 1999 to 2002, he mainly worked as a director and screen writer in the Inter Office Teledrama Competition, which resulted him receiving six awards for the five films submitted. Afterwards, he was mainly recognized for his collaboration with Abdul Faththaah for the romantic disaster film, ''Hureemey Inthizaarugaa'' (2005) and fifty episodes' television series ''Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa'' (2006). This was followed by Ahmed Nimal-directed romantic film ''Vaaloabi Engeynama'' (2006) for which he was bestowed with another Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay.
Hussain Munawwar's directorial debut ''Sazaa'' (2011) served to be a major breakthrough in his career which fetched him his first Maldives Film Award for best screenplay. However, his biggest accomplishment in the industry is considered to be the critically acclaimed experimental suspense thriller ''Ingili'', which got its international recognition by winning a bronze medal in Best Feature Film category at SAARC Film Festival 2014. Apart from that, Ahmed is known for his comical, modern and naughty dialogues in films like ''Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen'' (2015) and ''Vaashey Mashaa Ekee'' (2016).
==Career== ===1998–2008: Success with ''Amaanaaiy'' and office teledramas=== Ahmed made his directorial debut for the romantic drama ''Amaanaaiy'' (1998), which was co-written by Ahmed along with Mohamed Niyaz. The film starring Ali Khalid, Jamsheedha Ahmed and Fathimath Rameeza in the lead revolves around a man who is welcomed with his illegitimate son after the demise of his mother and the consequences of this closure.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sun.mv/88306 |title="Amaanaaiy" is on Youtube |language=dv |work=Sun |last=Musthfa |first=Mohamed |date=6 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119150345/https://assets-infinity.sun.mv/serve/D7JaQBTTA1 |url-status=live|archivedate=19 November 2018 |accessdate=19 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://avas.mv/31875 |title=Tedry's "Amaanaaiy" now available through Youtube |language=dv |work=Avas |last=Maahaa |first=Aishath |date=6 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717131739/https://avas.mv/31875 |url-status=live|archivedate=17 July 2017 |accessdate=19 November 2018}}</ref> It is based on Shekhar Kapur's Indian drama film ''Masoom'' (1983) which is a remake of the 1982 Malayalam movie ''Olangal'', which are both adaptations of ''Man, Woman and Child'', 1980 novel by Erich Segal.<ref name=toi>{{cite web | title = Mini from Shekhar Kapur's Masoom traced in Delhi | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Mini-from-Shekhar-Kapurs-Masoom-traced-in-Delhi/articleshow/29976112.cms |author=Vickey Lalwani|date= 7 February 2014| accessdate = 7 September 2014 | work = The Times of India}}</ref> At the 3rd Gaumee Film Awards, he was bestowed with several awards including a Gaumee Film Award for Best Director and Best Screenplay.<ref name=GFA3won/>
From 1999 to 2002, Ahmed mainly worked to represent his office, Ministry of Atolls Administration in the Inter Office Teledrama Competition.<ref name=OffTelCom/> During this period, he submitted five drama films, which received a total of fourteen wins in all categories combined.<ref name=OffTelCom/> The first project titled ''Thaubaa'' (1999) focuses on the journey of a carefree young woman to seek redemption after sinning.<ref name=OffTelCom/> This was followed by fairytale romantic drama ''Abadhah'' (2000) which follows a woman who goes through a lot of trials and tribulations waiting for her true love.<ref name=Ayya>{{cite news |url=https://avas.mv/18417 |title=Ayya retires from Film Industry |language=dv |work=Avas |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=11 June 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015151530/https://avas.mv/18417 |url-status=live|archivedate=15 October 2022 |accessdate=15 October 2022}}</ref> These two films were awarded as the Best Drama at the respective awarding ceremonies, and Ahmed was bestowed with the Best Director award for the latter.<ref name=Ayya/> The same year, he contributed to two other television films; ''Kashithammathi'' and the philosophical drama ''Vaarey'' which follows a man with a guilt-ridden past who realizes the beauty of life when it is too late.<ref name=OffTelCom/>
In 2001, Ahmed submitted the film ''Fangi'' for the competition, which fetched him the third award for Best Film and the first award for Best Director.<ref name=Bromance>{{cite news |url=https://avas.mv/29799 |title=Did "Vishka" poison Mahdi and Zareer's bromance? |language=dv |work=Avas |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=24 February 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015151530/https://avas.mv/18417 |url-status=live|archivedate=15 October 2022 |accessdate=15 October 2022}}</ref> It also holds the record of maximum wins, by winning six out of seven categories.<ref name=Bromance/> The film narrates lives of several individuals get interconnected making them realize the suffering of each other and helping them to come to terms with each other's own grief.<ref name=Bromance/> The following year, he developed the historical film ''3 November'' which is based on the 1988 Maldives coup d'état attempt. It fetched him the second award for Best Director at Office Teledrama Competition.<ref name=OffTelCom>{{cite news |url=https://avas.mv/6950 |title=The benefits of Office Teledrama Competition to the film fraternity |language=dv |work=Avas |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=4 August 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015152506/https://avas.mv/6950 |url-status=live|archivedate=15 October 2022 |accessdate=15 October 2022}}</ref>
In 2004, Ahmed collaborated with Ahmed Nimal to rewrite the screenplay of ''Hama Himeyn'' from a modern perspective, which was initially conceptualized in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sun.mv/111146 |title=Sitee remains Nimal's best work so far |work=Sun |language=Divehi |last=Musthafa |first=Mohamed |date=3 November 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121161109/https://sun.mv/111146 |url-status=live |archivedate=21 November 2020 |accessdate=21 November 2020}}</ref> Starring Ali Seezan and Khadheeja Ibrahim Didi in lead roles, the film narrates the compatible relationship of an immature young girl and a drug addict.<ref name=Mahdi/> Upon release, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics and did average business at box office.<ref name=Mahdi/> In an interview, Ahmed shared his dissatisfaction towards his writing standards in the film and shared his experience of watching the movie in cinema as an "embarrassing" moment.<ref name=Mahdi>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/15865 |title=Mahdi pleased with his work |work=Mihaaru |language=Divehi |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=17 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121160311/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/15865 |url-status=live |archivedate=21 November 2020 |accessdate=21 November 2020}}</ref>
Ahmed's first project of 2005 was Mohamed Shareef-directed television series ''Loabi Vaanama'' which focuses on the lives of four colleagues, played by Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Fathimath Noora and Ahmed Saeed.<ref name=DramaSeriesMihaaru>{{cite news |url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/72297 |title=Dhivehi Drama Series; which one is better? |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=12 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200820170948/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/72297 |url-status=live |archivedate=20 August 2020 |access-date=20 August 2020 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The first episode of the series met with lukewarm response from the audience due to the different visualization style and sequence arrangement.<ref name=AsimAvas/> However, from the second episode onwards, the series picked up and become a success among the critics and audience.<ref name=AsimAvas>{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/92713 |title=Star's Story - Asim: Best Actor in Maldives |language=Divehi |work=Avas |last=Adam |first=Ahmed Hameed |date=11 December 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211083945/https://avas.mv/92713 |url-status=dead |archivedate=11 December 2020 |access-date=11 December 2020}}</ref> This was followed by Abdul Faththaah's romantic disaster film, ''Hureemey Inthizaarugaa'' (2005) starring Ravee Farooq and Mariyam Zuhura in lead roles.<ref name=HureemeyInthizaarugaa>{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/31481 |title=Best 10 Actors |work=Dho? |language=dv |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=21 February 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190106182050/https://dho.mv/baiscope/31481 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 January 2019 |access-date=4 January 2019 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The film, heavily relied on the effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on the Maldives, received favorable reviews from critics though it failed to perform financially.<ref name=HureemeyInthizaarugaa/>
The following year, he again collaborated with Faththaah for two television series; ''Kuramey Vadhaaee Salaam'' consisting of 13 episodes and ''Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa'' consisting of 52 episodes, where both projects were declared success in television history, the latter in particular.<ref name=DramaSeriesMihaaru/> Ahmed Adhushan from ''Mihaaru'' picked ''Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa'' as one of the best television series developed in Maldives and noted that "along with the title track, this is definitely most accomplished work by director Abdul Faththaah".<ref name=DramaSeriesMihaaru/> He also worked with Mohamed Shareef for his docudrama series ''Nethi Dhiyayas'' which narrates the true incidents of a young man who recovered from drug addiction.<ref name="Isse">{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/34593 |title=Isse rising to the peak? |work=Avas |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=7 June 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017171857/https://avas.mv/34593 |url-status=live|archivedate=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was applauded by critics and audience for its moral values and being a medium of awareness for drug addiction.<ref name="Isse"/> The year also marks his collaboration with Ahmed Nimal for the award winning romantic film ''Vaaloabi Engeynama'' which was based on Aishath Neena's novel ''Viremundhaa Hiyy''.<ref name="HureemeyInthizaarugaa"/> The film fetched him his second Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay.<ref name=GFA5won>{{cite news|url=http://haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/news/60767 |title=Winners of 5th Gaumee Film Awards |language=dv|work=Haveeru |last=Ahmed |first=Fazeena |date=13 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221053708/http://webcache.dhivehi.mv/haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/news/60767 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 December 2018 |access-date=21 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
===2011–present: International recognition with ''Ingili'' and further releases=== After a gap of two years, Ahmed made his career breakthrough with Hussain Munawwar's directorial debut, ''Sazaa'', starring Ismail Rasheed, Niuma Mohamed and Lufshan Shakeeb.<ref name=Sazaa/> Based on a novel by Mariyam Moosa, the story of the film revolves around a carefree woman whose life it turned upside down when she is forced to marry a brutal man.<ref name=Sazaa/> Ahmed's work as the screenwriter earned mostly positive comments even though some critics highlighted the "slow storytelling" at the beginning and its "absurd" ending.<ref name=Sazaa/> Critically well received, the film emerged as a commercial success.<ref name=Sazaa>{{cite news |url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/102159 |title=Director's start is worthy |language=dv |work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=12 March 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150313045943/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/102159 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 March 2015 |access-date=30 March 2018 }}</ref> The film fetched him a Maldives Film Awards for Best Original Screenplay award and his third Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Screenplay.<ref name=GFA7nom>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/10378 |title=Nominations for 7th Gaumee Film Awards Announced |language=dv |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=16 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330160950/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/28015 |url-status=live |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=MFA2won>{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/123762 |title=Winners of Maldives Film Awards |language=Divehi|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=5 July 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094000/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/123762 |url-status=dead|archivedate=2 April 2015 |accessdate=19 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
2013 was a successful year for Ahmed, where he collaborated with Ravee Farooq for his critically acclaimed experimental suspense thriller ''Ingili'', which was based on fourteen years old Mohamed Hassan's National Award-winning short story, ''Holhuasheege Ekuveriya''.<ref name=IngiliReview>{{cite news|url=http://haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/ingili_movie/138362 |title="Ingili" Review |language=Divehi|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=18 May 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003125216/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/wR581 |url-status=dead |archivedate=3 October 2018 |accessdate=3 October 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The film is celebrated as the first Maldivian film to get recognized internationally by winning bronze medal in Best Feature Film category at SAARC Film Festival 2014 held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.<ref name=IngiliReview/> For the film, he received another Gaumee Film Award nomination for Screenplay while winning his second Maldives Film Award for Best Screenplay.<ref name=GFA7nom/><ref name=MFA3won>{{cite news |url=http://www.sun.mv:80/41179 |title=Maldives Film Awards Nominations and Winners list |language=dv |work=Sun |date=29 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603155927/http://www.sun.mv/41179 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 June 2014 |access-date=27 October 2018 }}</ref> After the success of ''Sazaa'' (2011), he again collaborated with Munawwar for the revenge thriller film ''Dhilakani'', released during the same year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/137436 |title="Dhilakani" to be released next month |language=dv |work=Haveeru |last=Ahmed |first=Fazeena |date=10 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515172139/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/137436 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 May 2013 |access-date=27 October 2018}}</ref> The film deals with a man's tumultuous journey to seek vengeance and the demolition of a family bond over a girl.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv:80/dhivehi/entertainment/132620 |title="Dhilakani" is originated from "Sazaa"'s experience |language=dv |work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=10 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613131401/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/132620 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2013 |access-date=27 October 2018 }}</ref> The film attracted negative reviews from critics: Nadheem wrote, "Embraced with futile characters, impractical scenes and outdated music, the film has problems in each department".<ref name=DhilakaniReview>{{cite news|url=http://haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/film_review/139893 |title="Dhilakani" Review |language=dv|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=19 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003125755/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/a9lJ5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 October 2018 |access-date=3 October 2018 }}</ref> It fetched him another nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 3rd Maldives Film Awards.<ref name=MFA3nom>{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/153617 |title=Maldives Film Awards Nominations out |language=Divehi |work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=29 April 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405165421/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/153617 |url-status=dead |archivedate=5 April 2015 |accessdate=30 March 2018}}</ref>
In 2015, Ahmed worked with Dark Rain Entertainment for Ali Shifau's modern romantic film ''Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen'' and his psychological thriller ''Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/maldives-film-industry/254622/ |title="Emme Fahu Vindhaa Jehendhen": A big success with repeat audience |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Naail, Ismail |date=7 April 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610083108/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/maldives-film-industry/254622/ |archivedate=10 June 2016 |access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> Loosely based on the novel ''Love Story'' by Erich Segal, the former received mainly positive reviews from critics. Ismail Nail from ''Vaguthu'' called it a "new benchmark" to romantic films and credited a huge success of it to Ahmed's "naughty" screenplay.<ref name="EFVJ review">{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/review/253783/ |title=Pre-premiere Review: "Emme Fahu Vindhaa Jehendhen" A new benchmark to romantic films |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Naail, Ismail |date=5 April 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610083407/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/review/253783/ |archivedate=10 June 2016 |access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> Similarly, Ahmed received positive reviews from critics for his screenplay for ''Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey'' calling it a very "different yet positive" cinematic experience.<ref name=MBBB>{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/318754/ |title=Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey 3 years waiting has been justified |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Maahaa, Aishath |date=25 August 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614190157/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/318754/ |archivedate=14 June 2016 |accessdate=14 June 2016}}</ref> This was followed by the cop action thriller film ''Ahmsham'' co-written with Ahmed Zareer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/318703/ |title=60% of the film is completed |language=dv |publisher=Vaguthu |author=Mohamed, Ibrahim |date=25 August 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622072125/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/318703/ |archivedate=22 June 2016 |accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref> The film received a mixed to positive response from critics, where Ahmed Nadheem from ''Avas'' praised Ahmed's effort to blend romance, action and comedy into the film.<ref name=Ahsham>{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/10139 |title=Ahsham: 5 stars for Seezan's spirit |language=dv |publisher=Avas |author=Ahmed, Nadheem |date=11 November 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618072410/https://avas.mv/10139 |archivedate=18 June 2016 |accessdate=18 June 2016}}</ref> All three films released during the year fetched him three separate nominations for Best Screenplay at 8th Gaumee Film Awards.<ref name=GFA8nom>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/28015 |title=8th Gaumee Film Awards: Dark Rain leads nomination |language=dv |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=12 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330160950/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/28015 |url-status=live |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Feature film=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Writer !scope="col"| Director !scope="col"| Producer !scope="col"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- | 1998 !scope="row"| ''Amaanaaiy'' | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | | Gaumee Film Award for Best Director<br/>Gaumee Film Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=GFA3won/> |- | 2004 !scope="row"| ''Hama Himeyn'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Mahdi/> |- | 2005 !scope="row"| ''Hureemey Inthizaarugaa'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=HureemeyInthizaarugaa/> |- | 2006 !scope="row"| ''Vaaloabi Engeynama'' | {{Yes}} | | | Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name="HureemeyInthizaarugaa"/> |- | 2007 !scope="row"| ''Aharen'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=politics/> |- | 2010 !scope="row"| ''Jinni'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=achievement>{{cite news |url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv:80/?page=details&id=93070&category=ihUfinum |title=Positive comment for the film - Its a big achievement |language=Divehi |work=Haveeru |last=Naseer |first=Ismail |date=11 February 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212110900/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=93070&category=ihUfinum |url-status=dead |archivedate=12 February 2010 |accessdate=19 September 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |- | 2011 !scope="row"| ''Sazaa'' | {{Yes}} | | | Maldives Film Awards Best Screenplay<br/>Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Sazaa/> |- | 2013 !scope="row"| ''Ingili'' | {{Yes}} | | {{Yes}} | Maldives Film Awards Best Screenplay<br/>Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=IngiliReview/> |- | 2013 !scope="row"| ''Dhilakani'' | {{Yes}} | | | Maldives Film Awards Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=DhilakaniReview/> |- | 2015 !scope="row"| ''Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name="EFVJ review"/> |- | 2015 !scope="row"| ''Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey'' | {{Yes}} | | | Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=MBBB/> |- | 2015 !scope="row"| ''Ahsham'' | {{Yes}} | | | Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Ahsham/> |- | 2016 !scope="row"| ''Vaashey Mashaa Ekee'' | {{Yes}} | | | Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/15516 |title=Vaashey Mashaa Ekee: Unlimited praise |language=Divehi|publisher=Avas |author=Nadheem, Ahmed |date=6 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606080851/https://avas.mv/15516|archivedate=6 June 2016 |accessdate=6 June 2016}}</ref> |- | 2016 !scope="row"| ''Vee Beyvafa'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=veebeyvafa>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/9748 |title="Vee Beyvafa": A step backward |language=dv|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=30 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330140908/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/9748 |url-status=live |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2017 !scope="row"| ''Vishka'' | {{Yes}} | | | Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12568 |title=Vishka to release on 8th March at Schwack Cinema |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=4 February 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326142501/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12568 |archivedate=26 March 2018 |accessdate=26 March 2018}}</ref> |- | 2017 !scope="row"| ''Hahdhu'' | {{Yes}} | | | Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Screenplay | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12792 |title=Haddhu will break records: Fatthah |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=9 February 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326151354/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12792 |archivedate=26 March 2018 |accessdate=26 March 2018}}</ref> |- | 2017 !scope="row"| ''Neydhen Vakivaakah'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/24363 |title=Neydhen Vakivaakah premiering tonight |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=27 September 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326153414/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/24363 |archivedate=26 March 2018 |accessdate=26 March 2018}}</ref> |- |- | 2019 !scope="row"| ''Kaaku?'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/51210 |title=Teaser of horror film Kaaku released |language=Divehi |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=4 March 2019 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190703052448/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/51210 |url-status=live |archivedate=3 July 2019 |access-date=3 July 2019 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2023 !scope="row"| ''Zoya'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://raajje.mv/145043 |title=Feature film "Zoya" from the Geveshi Gulhun campaign released |language=Divehi |work=Raajje.mv |last=Naeem |first=Idham |date=15 November 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203122610/https://raajje.mv/145043 |url-status=live |archivedate=3 December 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2024 !scope="row"| ''Kamanaa'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thepress.mv/156102 |title=Kamanaa Review: Re-writing history, film touched several hearts |work=The Press |language=Divehi |last=Lubaa |first=Aminath |date=31 August 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225065504/https://thepress.mv/156102 |url-status=live |archivedate=25 December 2024 |access-date=25 December 2024|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2024 !scope="row"| ''Roboman: The Movie'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/gallery/2987 |title=Feature film "Roboman: The Movie" Red Carpet Event |language=Divehi |work=mihaaru.com |last=Naeem |first=Idham |date=26 September 2024}}</ref> |- | 2025 !scope="row"| ''Kan'bulo'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://sun.mv/206781 |title="Kamanaa" team brings "Kan'bulo" |work=Sun |language=Divehi |last=Jaishan |first=Ahmed |date=2 June 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822170722/https://assets-infinity.sun.mv/serve/WKbgiPqcgx |url-status=live |archivedate=22 August 2025 |access-date=22 August 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Writer !scope="col"| Director !scope="col"| Producer !scope="col"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- | 1999 !scope="row"| ''Thaubaa'' | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | | Television film | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=OffTelCom/> |- | 2000 !scope="row"| ''Abadhah'' | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | | Television film | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Ayya/> |- | 2000 !scope="row"| ''Kashithammathi'' | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | | Television film | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Ayya/> |- | 2000 !scope="row"| ''Vaarey'' | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | | Television film | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=OffTelCom/> |- | 2001 !scope="row"| ''Fangi'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television film | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Bromance/> |- | 2002 !scope="row"| ''3 November'' | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | | Television film | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Bromance/> |- | 2005 !scope="row"| ''Loabi Vaanama'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television series; 13 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=AsimAvas/> |- | 2006 !scope="row"| ''Kuramey Vadhaaee Salaam'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television series; 13 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=DramaSeriesMihaaru/> |- | 2006 !scope="row"| ''Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television series; 52 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=DramaSeriesMihaaru/> |- | 2006 !scope="row"| ''Nethi Dhiyayas'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television series; 5 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Isse/> |- | 2007 !scope="row"| ''Thiya Loabeegai'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television series; 15 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=copy>{{cite news|url=https://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/410071/ |title=Maldivians like copied products; our own style is not accepted: Seezan |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Abdulla, Fareeha |date=29 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628081830/https://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/410071/ |archivedate=28 June 2016 |accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref> |- | 2007 !scope="row"| ''Aharenge Lha Daddy'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television series; 5 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=intro>{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/34317 |title=Did Jambe loses his path? |work=Avas |language=Divehi |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=31 May 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115152159/https://avas.mv/34317 |url-status=live |archivedate=15 November 2018 |access-date=15 November 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2013 !scope="row"| ''Vaudhey Mee'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television series; 5 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eydhafushitimes.com/live/pictures/6618/ |title=Shooting of "Vaudhey Mee" in Eydhafushi |work=EydhafushiTimes |language=Divehi |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=27 January 2013 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20210716075801/http://www.eydhafushitimes.com/live/pictures/6618/ |url-status=live |archivedate=16 July 2021 |access-date=16 July 2021 }}</ref> |- | 2019–2021 !scope="row"| ''Karu Hakuru'' | {{Yes}} | | | Web series; 36 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://sun.mv/116740 |title=Maldivian first sit-com "Karu Hakuru" available for streaming |work=Sun |language=Divehi |last=Lubaa |first=Aminath |date=14 March 2019 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190814082157/https://sun.mv/116740 |archivedate=14 August 2019 |access-date=13 August 2019 |df=dmy-all |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2019–2020 !scope="row"| ''Thin Bibee'' | {{Yes}} | | | Web series; 12 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://dhen.mv/53518 |title=Ifnaz: Crawling from behind the camera to the lead role |language=Divehi |work=Dhen |last=Latheef |first=Alim Abdul |date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107063917/https://dhen.mv/53518 |url-status= live |archive-date=7 January 2022 |access-date=7 January 2022 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2019 !scope="row"| ''Hatharu Halha'' | {{Yes}} | | | Web series; 3 segments | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/62002 |title=After a six years' gap, Hatharu Halha to release in Baiskoafu |work=Mihaaru |language=Divehi |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=29 September 2020 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200910180054/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/62002 |url-status=live |archivedate=10 September 2020 |access-date=10 September 2020 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2019–2020 !scope="row"| ''Maayoos'' | {{Yes}} | | | Web series; 13 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name="Maayoos">{{cite news |url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/64450 |title=Maayoos to release in Baiskoafu |work=Mihaaru |language=dv |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807144503/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/64450 |url-status=live |archive-date=7 August 2020 |access-date=10 September 2020 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |- | 2021 !scope="row"|''Hatharu Manzaru'' | {{Yes}} | | | Anthology series |- | 2021 !scope="row"|''Rugyah'' | {{Yes}} | | | Television Movie |- | 2021 !scope="row"|''Girlfriends'' | {{Yes}} | | | Web series; 12 episodes | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.muniavas.com/39075 |title="Girlfriends" for Mahdi and Munko |work=Mihaaru |language=Divehi |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=21 July 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120170153/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/94776 |url-status=live |archivedate=20 January 2022 |accessdate=20 January 2022}}</ref> |- | 2022 !scope="row"|''Gudhan'' | {{Yes}} | | | Web series; 12 episodes | style="text-align: center;" | <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.muniavas.com/42756 |title=Fourth episode of "Gudhan" reveals the reason of their trap |language=Divehi |work=MuniAvas |last=Rasheed |first=Ahmed |date=13 September 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218052903/https://www.muniavas.com/42756 |url-status= live |archivedate=18 February 2023 |accessdate=18 February 2023 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2023 !scope="row"|''Miyo?'' | {{Yes}} | | | Animated series; 12 episodes |- | 2024 !scope="row"|''Manaal'' | {{Yes}} | | | MNU TV Drama |- | 2025 !scope="row"|''Feshun'' | {{Yes}} | | | TV series; 04 episodes |- |}
===Short film=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Writer !scope="col"| Director !scope="col"| Producer !scope="col"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- | 2006 !scope="row"| ''Dr. Rocky'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Bromance/> |- | 2008 !scope="row"| ''Hiyani'' | {{Yes}} | | | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=politics>{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/reports/289441/ |title=Politics is a challenge to entertainment industry |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Hassan, Nazim |date=22 June 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628083248/http://www.vaguthu.mv/reports/289441/ |archivedate=28 June 2016 |accessdate=28 June 2016}}</ref> |- | 2021 !scope="row"| ''First Coconut - Tales of Maldives'' | {{Yes}} | | | |- | 2021 !scope="row"| ''Giant Triton Shell - Tales of Maldives'' | {{Yes}} | | | |- | 2021 !scope="row"| ''Koimala - Tales of Maldives'' | {{Yes}} | | | |- | 2021 !scope="row"| ''Iyaaru'' | {{Yes}} | | | |- | 2022 !scope="row"| ''Butterfly'' | {{Yes}} | | | |- | 2023 !scope="row"| ''Loabi'' | {{Yes}} | | | |- | 2023 !scope="row"| ''Evolution of Maldives Police Service - The Chase'' | {{Yes}} | | | |- | 2024 !scope="row"| ''Hinithun'' | {{Yes}} | | | |- |}
==Accolades== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Award !scope="col"| Category !scope="col"| Nominated work !scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- | 1999 ! rowspan="6" scope="row" | Office Teledrama Competition | Best Drama | ''Thaubaa'' | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=OffTelCom/> |- | rowspan="2"| 2000 | Best Drama | rowspan="2"| ''Abadhah'' | {{won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=Ayya/> |- | Best Director | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"| 2001 | Best Drama | rowspan="2"| ''Fangi'' | {{won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=Bromance/> |- | Best Story | {{won}} |- | 2002 | Best Director | ''3 November'' | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=Bromance/> |- | rowspan="4"| 2007 ! rowspan="4" scope="row" | 3rd Gaumee Film Awards | Best Director | ''Amaanaaiy'' | {{won}} | rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=GFA3won>{{cite news |url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12430 |title=Reasons to watch "Amaanaaiy" after 19 years |language=dv |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181119144543/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12430 |url-status=live |archive-date=19 November 2018 |access-date=19 November 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |- | Best Makeup | rowspan="3"| ''Amaanaaiy'' <small>(shared with Mohamed Niyaz)</small> | {{won}} |- | Best Adapted Screenplay | {{won}} |- | Best Dialogue | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"| 2008 ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 5th Gaumee Film Awards | Best Screenplay | ''Vaaloabi Engeynama'' | {{won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=GFA5won/> |- | Best Audiography | ''Vaaloabi Engeynama'' <small>(shared with Ali Musthafa)</small> | {{won}} |- | 2012 ! scope="row" | 2nd Maldives Film Awards | Best Screenplay | ''Sazaa'' | {{won}} | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=MFA2won/> |- | rowspan="3"| 2014 ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | 3rd Maldives Film Awards | rowspan="2"| Best Screenplay | ''Ingili'' | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=MFA3won/> |- | ''Dhilakani'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=MFA3nom/> |- | Best Art Direction | ''Ingili'' <small>(shared with Ravee Farooq and Hussain Munawwar)</small> | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=MFA3won/> |- | rowspan="4"| 2016 ! scope="row" rowspan="4" | 7th Gaumee Film Awards | rowspan="2" | Best Screenplay | ''Ingili'' | {{nom}} | rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=GFA7nom/> |- | ''Sazaa'' | {{nom}} |- | Best Art Direction | ''Ingili'' <small>(shared with Ravee Farooq and Hussain Munawwar)</small> | {{nom}} |- | Best Costume Design | ''Ingili'' <small>(shared with Ravee Farooq)</small> | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3" | 2017 ! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 8th Gaumee Film Awards | rowspan="3" | Best Screenplay | ''Vaashey Mashaa Ekee'' | {{nom}} | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=GFA8nom/> |- | ''Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey'' | {{nom}} |- | ''Ahsham'' <small>(shared with Ahmed Zareer)</small> | {{nom}} |- | 2024 ! rowspan="6" scope="row" | NCA Office Teledrama Competition 1445 | Best Screenplay | ''Manaal'' | {{won}} |}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{IMDb name|nm4415710}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahmed, Mahdi}} Category:Living people Category:People from Malé Category:Maldivian film directors Category:1971 births Category:Maldivian film producers