{{short description|Maldivian choreographer, actress and producer}} {{Infobox person | name = Suneetha Ali | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1977|05|28}} | birth_place = Aa. Ukulhas, Maldives | alma_mater = | occupation = Choreographer, actress, producer | years_active = 1994–present | spouse = | children = | works = | awards = }} '''Suneetha Ali''' (born 28 May 1977) is a Maldivian choreographer, actress and producer.
==Early life== Suneetha Ali was born on 28 May 1977 in Aa. Ukulhas.<ref name=SuneeGQ>{{cite news|url=https://www.gqindia.com/magazine-story/priyanka-chopras-biggest-fan-went-from-being-a-fishermans-daughter-to-maldives-most-famous-personality/ |title=Priyanka Chopra's biggest fan went from being a fisherman's daughter to Maldives' most famous personality |work=GQ |last=Khandekar |first=Omkar |date=3 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307160409/https://www.gqindia.com/magazine-story/priyanka-chopras-biggest-fan-went-from-being-a-fishermans-daughter-to-maldives-most-famous-personality/ |url-status=live|archive-date=7 March 2021 |access-date=7 March 2021 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Her father, is a fisherman while her mother is a homemaker.<ref name=SuneeGQ/> Ali spent most of her childhood, in a melodramatic environment, dancing to the tunes of songs from Bollywood.<ref name=SuneeGQ/> After her failed marriage, Ali, at the age of fourteen, relocated to Male' where she got exposed to the stage shows and music performances.<ref name=SuneeGQ/> A few months later, she participated in a local talent show, ''Galaxy'' where she danced to few Bollywood songs and her performance was criticized by the audience to the point where she was "booed off the stage".<ref name=SuneeGQ/> However, strong-willed, Ali "polished" her act a year later she was cast as a background dance in a television series.<ref name=SuneeGQ/>
==Career== In 1994, Suneetha starred in the Mariyam Shauqee and Arifa Ibrahim-directed family drama ''Manzil'' (1994) which follows as an intelligent and hardworking orphan, whose life takes a dramatic turn while working as a servant in a reputed family.<ref name=ShameelInt>{{cite news|url=https://www.muniavas.com/21829 |title=Shameel to play a tough father's role in Hanaa |work=MuniAvas |language=Divehi |last=Rasheed |first=Ahmed |date=9 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029145929/https://www.muniavas.com/21829 |url-status=live |archive-date=29 October 2020 |access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref> Apart from playing the role of Lubna in Amjad Ibrahim's television series, ''Dheben'' (1997), she was cast as a maid in his feature film ''Loabeega Aniyaa'' (1997) released in 1997.<ref name=LoabeegeAniyaa>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/10626 |title=Amjey shocked with his deserving award |language=dv|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=23 December 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181222115816/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/10626 |url-status=live|archive-date=22 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> She next starred in Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series ''Kahthiri'', where she played the friend of an indolent mother.<ref name=Kahthiri>{{cite news |url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/62237 |title=Where are all the drama series? |language=Divehi |work=Dho? |last=Ali |first=Ifraz |date=1 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028162243/https://dho.mv/baiscope/62237 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref>
This was followed by her appearances in item songs of films including, ''Mila Handhuvaru'' (1998), ''Hiyy Halaaku'' (1998) and ''Hiiy Edhenee'' (2001). She then worked with Ibrahim for his children's horror films, ''Santhi Mariyanbu 1'' (2001) and ''Safaru Kaiydha 1'' (2001) where she played the titular roles in all of the installments.<ref name=LoabeegeAniyaa/> The following year, she collaborated with Amjad Ibrahim for his horror film ''Sandhuravirey'' (2002) which narrates the story of a female jinn aiming to win the heart of a human being.<ref name=KahvalhahDhaandhen>{{cite news|url=https://psmnews.mv/21026 |title=Amjay's contribution in the industry is recommended |work=PSMNews |language=Divehi |date=4 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116064411/https://psmnews.mv/21026 |url-status=live |archive-date=16 November 2018 |access-date=15 November 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Featuring Shafeeu and Mariyam Nisha in lead roles, she played the role of a intellectually disabled young woman.<ref name=Sandhuravirey/> Upon release, the film received poor reviews from critics.<ref name=Sandhuravirey>{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12282|title=A festival of Amjey's films to be organized |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=30 January 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181222115546/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12282 |url-status=live |archive-date=22 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
==Personal life== At the age thirteen, Ali decided to marry her best-friend, to which her parents refused citing her young age.<ref name=SuneeGQ/> However, with the help of her neighbors and family members, she managed to convinces her parent for her marriage which lasted three months, when she filed for divorce as her husband disapproved her to play sports with boys of her age.<ref name=SuneeGQ/>
In June 2013, while Ali was trying hard to move on with her 8 years old romantic relationship, which she breaks up herself an year ago, for discovering her boyfriends affair, gets amused by the news of Bollywood actor, Priyanka Chopra signing a film four days later to her father's demise, showing "remarkable display of resilience".<ref name=SuneeGQ/> Noting the progression from the actor, Ali started "idolizing" her from following her hairstyles to makeup to wardrobe collection.<ref name=SuneeGQ/> Soon, she started performing tributes to Chopra by singing, dancing and producing music videos of her Hindi songs, dubbed in Dhivehi, which attracted several criticism from the locals and industry colleagues where she gets mocked by referring her as "Suniyanka".<ref name=SuneeGQ/> She recalls her engagement with Chopra at the music concert held in January 2015 as her "happiest day" in her life.<ref name=SuneeGQ/>
==Filmography== ===Feature film=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- | 1997 !scope="row" | ''Hinithun'' | Herself |Special appearance in the song "Khiyaal Gehlunee Hey?" | style="text-align: center;" | <ref name=Maazee>{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/54536 |title=Wajeeh and Jamsheedha reunites at polling location |work=Avas |language=Divehi |last=Ifraz |first=Ali |date=23 September 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190101113315/https://avas.mv/54536 |url-status=live|archive-date=1 January 2019 |access-date=1 January 2019 }}</ref> |- | 1997 !scope="row"| ''Loabeege Aniyaa'' | Maid | | style="text-align: center;"|<ref name=LoabeegeAniyaa/> |- |1998 !scope="row"|''Mila Handhuvaru'' |Herself |Special appearance in the song "Fari Mooney Thee Hoadhaalaa" | style="text-align: center;"|<ref name=LoabeegeAniyaa/> |- | 2000 ! scope="row" | ''Hiyy Halaaku'' | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Thiya Loabi Handhaanveema" | style="text-align: center;" | <ref name="HiyyHalaaku">{{cite news |url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/34202 |title=Niuma and Eupe together for one last time |language=Divehi |work=Dho? |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190202173310/https://dho.mv/baiscope/34202 |archive-date=2 February 2019 |access-date=2 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2001 !scope="row"| ''Hiiy Edhenee'' | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Furusathu Libi Dhuniyeyga" | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=HiiyEdhenee>{{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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628081830/https://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/410071/ |archive-date=28 June 2016 |access-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> |- | 2002 !scope="row"| ''Sandhuravirey'' | Safa | | style="text-align: center;"| <ref name=Sandhuravirey/> |- |}
=== Short films === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Notes |- |2001 !scope="row"|''Santhi Mariyan'bu 1'' |Santhi Mariyan'bu |Children's film |- |2001 !scope="row"|''Safaru Kaiydha 1'' |Safaru Kaiydha |Children's film |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Notes |- |1994 !scope="row"|''Manzil'' |Jeeza | |- | 1994 !scope="row"| ''Qurubaan'' | Shifa | Recurring role; 4 episodes |- |1997 !scope="row"|''Dheben'' |Lubna | |- |1997 !scope="row"|''Kahthiri'' |Suneetha |Recurring role; 20 episodes |- | 2003 !scope="row"| ''Edhuvas En'buri Annaanenama'' | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Hiyy Magey Kiyaadhemey" |- | 2004 !scope="row"| ''Vaisoori'' | Aisthu | In the segment "Ih'thiraam Hoadhavaa"<ref name="ArifaStar">{{cite news|last=Milna|first=Mariyam|date=8 February 2019|title=Arifa Ibrahim – Star of the Day|language=dv|work=MuniAvas|url=https://www.muniavas.com/10788|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190410141337/https://www.muniavas.com/10788|archivedate=10 April 2019|accessdate=10 April 2019}}</ref> |- |2008 !scope="row"|''Manzilakee Thee Ey Magey'' |Herself |Special appearance in the song "Haadha Loaiybey Heeleemaa" |- |}
===Other work=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Director !scope="col"| Producer !scope="col"| Notes |- |2004 !scope="row"|''Hiyy Dheewaanaa'' | | {{Yes}} |Songs DVD; Co-produced with Shareefa Fakhry |- |2005 !scope="row"|''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 2'' | | {{Yes}} |Songs DVD; Co-produced with Shareefa Fakhry |- |2006 !scope="row"|''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 3'' | | {{Yes}} |Songs DVD; Co-produced with Shareefa Fakhry |- |2008 !scope="row"|''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 4'' | | {{Yes}} |Songs DVD; Co-produced with Shareefa Fakhry |- | 2010 !scope="row"| ''Magey Hithakee Hitheh Noon Hey?'' | | {{Yes}} | Drama series |- |2011 !scope="row"|''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 5'' | | {{Yes}} |Songs DVD |- |2013 !scope="row"|''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 6'' | | {{Yes}} |Songs DVD |- |}
==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)}} |- | 2007 ! scope="row" | 4th Gaumee Film Awards | Best Choreography | ''Kalaayaanulaa'' <small>(Shared with Ravee Farooq)</small> | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/news/56402 |title=Winners of 4th Gaumee Film Awards |language=Divehi|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=30 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930060753/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/wYrDB |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 September 2018 |access-date=30 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"| 2007 ! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 1st Miadhu Crystal Award | Best Video Album | ''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 3'' | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=1stMiadhuCrystal/> |- | Best Video Song | "Fathis Dhan" - ''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 3'' | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=1stMiadhuCrystal>{{cite news|url=http://haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/news/48823 |title=Zuleykha Awarded as Best Film winning in eight categories |language=Divehi| work=Haveeru |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213115122/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/AaoRm |url-status=dead |archivedate=13 December 2018 |accessdate=12 December 2018}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 2008 ! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2nd Miadhu Crystal Award | Best Audio Album | ''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 4'' | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=2ndMiadhuCrystal>{{cite news|url=http://www.miadhu.com/2008/04/local-news/garnier-miadhu-crystal-award-night-yousey-afee-and-chiliya-bags-top-awards-6169/ |title=Garnier Miadhu Crystal Award night : Yousey Afee and Chiliya bags top awards | work=Miadhu |date=21 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212644/http://www.miadhu.com/2008/04/local-news/garnier-miadhu-crystal-award-night-yousey-afee-and-chiliya-bags-top-awards-6169/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2014 |access-date=5 December 2020}}</ref> |- | Best Video Song | "Crazy Khiyaaley" - ''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 4'' | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=2ndMiadhuCrystal/> |- | Best Choreography | "Crazy Khiyaaley" - ''Hiyy Dheewaanaa 4'' | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=2ndMiadhuCrystal/> |- | 2021 ! scope="row" | ASIA Awards 2020/2021 | colspan="2"| Asia's Outstanding Woman Achiever Award | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.asiaawards.org/news/suneetha-ali-has-bagged-asia's-outstanding-woman-achiever-award |title=Suneetha Ali has bagged Asia's Outstanding Woman Achiever Award |work=Asia Awards |date=7 December 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107032723/https://www.asiaawards.org/ |url-status= live |archivedate=7 January 2022 |accessdate=7 January 2022 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | 2021 ! scope="row" | Women Icon Award 2021 | colspan="2"| Outstanding Women Award | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.muniavas.com/39444 |title=Another International Award for Sunee |language=Divehi |work=MuniAvas |last=Rasheed |first=Ahmed |date=27 December 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107033111/https://www.muniavas.com/39444 |url-status= live |archivedate=7 January 2022 |accessdate=7 January 2022 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Suneetha}} Category:Living people Category:1977 births Category:21st-century Maldivian actresses Category:Maldivian film actresses Category:Maldivian film producers