Niuma Mohamed

Once her talent was recognized with Hithi Thajuribaa, Mohamed was offered several other film roles.[1] She first acted in the film Badhal (1996), though her first release was Hagu Anbi (1995).[1] In the former, she starred alongside Hamid Ali, Hussain Sobah, and Waleedha Waleed while playing the role of Shiuna, the charismatic and intelligent teenage daughter of a wealthy businessman who is being duped in a series of unfortunate events.[3] At the 1996 Aafathis Awards ceremony, Mohamed received the Best actress, Best Dance, and Best Performer awards.[4] The same year, she starred opposite Arifa Ibrahim, Abdul Raheem, and Ibrahim Wisan in Mohamed Rasheed's Hifehettumeh Neiy Karuna, where she played the role of Thasneem, an orphan who has been mistreated and abused by her adoptive mother.[5] This was followed by Yoosuf Rafeeu's comedy Nibu (1996), an unofficial remake of Gulzar's Bollywood comedy Angoor (1982), which focuses on two pairs of identical twins separated at birth and how their lives go haywire when they meet in adulthood.[6]

Easa Shareef's horror film Fathis Handhuvaru (1997), where are starred opposite Reeko Moosa Manik, proved to be a breakthrough for Mohamed.[7] The film tells the story of a married young woman who falls in love with a ghost.[8][7] The film is celebrated as the most successful Maldivian film with the highest number of shows screened upon release.[9] Mohamed then starred opposite Reeko Moosa Manik, Hassan Afeef, and Mariyam Nazima in Easa Shareef's Emme Fahu Dhuvas (1997), where she played a devious woman who spoils her best friend's upcoming marriage by creating false accusation and staging misleading impressions.[7] The following year, she played the role of Mary, a devoted wife desperately seeking affection from her husband in Abdul Faththaah's television drama series Dhoapatta (2000).[10] The series also featured Mohamed Shavin, Sheela Najeeb, and Jamsheedha Ahmed.[11] Mohamed's collaboration with Faththaah was repeated the same year with another romantic drama series, Aisha, where she played the helpful friend of a young woman suffering from an abusive marriage.[12] Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series Kahthiri was released in 1997; here Mohamed played the role of a doctor living in a congested housing complex while dealing with various social issues.[13]

In 2000, Mohamed played Fazlee Shareef, an unattractive fun-loving tomboy who later transforms into a feminine and beautiful girl, and who is secretly in love with her best friend, in Hussain Adil's romance Hiyy Halaaku.[14][15] The film was an unofficial remake of Karan Johar's romantic drama Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji.[16] The Amjad Ibrahim-directed Ainbehge Loabi Firiehge Vaajib, starring Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Jamsheedha Ahmed, and Arifa Ibrahim was released the same year.[17] The film revolves around a woman who has been mistreated by her stepmother and forced to marry against her will.[18] Mohamed played the role of Dhiyana, the caring friend of Julia, played by Jamsheedha Ahmed.[17] This was followed by the year's most successful Maldivian film, Ahmed Nimal's horror classic Zalzalaa, in which Mohamed portrays the character of Shiuna Ibrahim, an innocent and amenable young woman who marries a divorcee.[19][20]

In 2001, Mohamed starred as an aspiring model and an obsessive lover in Aslam Rasheed's romantic thriller film Dheevaanaa, which was an unofficial remake of Ram Gopal Varma's romantic thriller Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001), starring Urmila Matondkar, Fardeen Khan, and Sonali Kulkarni.[21] The same year, she acted in Aishath Ali Manik's Hiiy Edhenee, which was an unofficial remake of Dharmesh Darshan's romantic film Dhadkan (2000), starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Shilpa Shetty in the lead roles.[22] Cast opposite Ali Seezan, Sheela Najeeb, and Asad Shareef, Mohamed played the role of Leena, the partner of a wealthy businessman who secretly loves him for a long time.[23]

Niuma collaborated with Easa Shareef once again for another horror film, titled Ginihila (2003), alongside Ali Seezan, Mariyam Nisha, and Reeko Moosa Manik, playing the role of Suhana, a mentally unstable young girl who commits suicide when her boyfriend rejects her demand to leave his wife for her.[24][25] The film is an unofficial remake of Vikram Bhatt's Indian horror film Raaz (2002), featuring Bipasha Basu, Dino Morea, Malini Sharma, and Ashutosh Rana, which itself is an unofficial adaptation of What Lies Beneath.[26] Mohamed next worked with Amjad Ibrahim on his horror film Dhonkamana (2003), which depicts the romantic relationship between a young man (played by Yoosuf Shafeeu) and an old woman (played by Fauziyya Hassan).[27] Featuring Hassan, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Sheereen Abdul Wahid, Amira Ismail, and Aminath Rasheedha, the film received mainly negative reviews from critics, though its inclusion of the theme portraying the relationship between a couple with a large age gap was praised.[28] Mohamed was later applauded for her performance as Faraha, an empowered, wealthy business woman who makes it her life's mission to break up a happy marriage in the Abdul Faththaah-directed critically acclaimed television series Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee (2003).[29]

Mohamed's most successful release of the year 2003 was Fathimath Nahula's romantic film Kalaayaanulaa, which tells the story of a man (Yoosuf Shafeeu) who decides to marry his childhood best friend (played by Mohamed) when his wife (Aishath Shiranee) fails to please him sexually.[30] The film received widespread critical acclaim for its performances and was declared the year's highest-grossing Maldivian film.[31] Mohamed's portrayal of the tolerant second wife garnered her a Miadhu Crystal Award for Best Actress and a Gaumee Film Award for Best Actress.[32][33] This was followed by Abdul Faththaah's Aan... Aharenves Loabivin (2002), starring Mohamed, alongside Ali Seezan, Sheela Najeeb, Aminath Rasheedha, and Neena Saleem. Mohamed played the role of Suzy, an ill-fated girl who is forced to conceal her marriage in order to help her friend recovering from amnesia.[34] The film opened to positive responses from critics and was commercially successful as well.[35]

Mohamed next starred as a fangirl of an established actor in Amjad Ibrahim's next directorial venture, Sandhuravirey 2 (2004), a sequel to his 2002 horror film Sandhuravirey, which presented Yoosuf Shafeeu and Mariyam Nisha in the lead roles.[28] The film follows a jinn avenging the death of its mother and sister.[28] Similar to its prequel, the film received negative responses from critics.[28]

In 2005, Mohamed starred alongside Ali Seezan and Sheereen Abdul Wahid in Ahmed Nimal's horror film Handhu Keytha (2005), which tells the story of a man who is enchanted by a spirit while witnessing a lunar eclipse.[36] Mohamed then stepped into Fathimath Nahula's critically and commercially successful romantic drama television series Kalaage Haqqugaa, to play the role of Aishath Imna, a sacrificing mother and an orphan who is later abandoned by her guardian.[10][37] Mohamed rose to widespread prominence in the television industry with her performance as an indolent daughter who marries her best friend in the Arifa Ibrahim-directed critically acclaimed television series Vairoalhi Ahves Sirrun in 2005. The story revolves around two best friends involved in extramarital affairs who fail to perform their duties as husband and wife.[38] The show, which also included Lufshan Shakeeb, Ahmed Asim, Aminath Rasheedha, and Mariyam Shakeela, was listed as one of the most successful television series.[10]

In April 2006, Ahmed Nimal's revenge thriller Hiyani was released, featuring Mohamed as a devoted wife who seeks comfort in the company of her husband's kidnapper.[39] The film received mostly positive reviews from critics. Mohamed's performance fetched her another Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Actress.[40] This was followed by Amjad Ibrahim's romantic drama film Hithuge Edhun (2006), which tells the story of a disabled man,[41] with Mohamed playing the role of Shaniya, the man's caring wife who hides the truth of her first marriage. This resulted in another Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Actress.[41][40] The same year, Mohamed again collaborated with the team from Vairoalhi Ahves Sirrun, in Arifa Ibrahim's new romantic television drama series Vaguthu Faaithu Nuvanees.[10] The series, which follows the story of two best friends who both love the same person, features Mohamed in the role of one of the friends, who pursues her revenge for the betrayal she feels she has experienced.[10]

Mohamed at the 1st Maldives Film Awards ceremony, 2011

In 2008, Mohamed appeared in Fathimath Nahula's romantic drama film Yoosuf, which depicts the story of a deaf-mute man (played by Yoosuf Shafeeu) who has been mistreated and mocked by a wealthy family for his disability.[42] The film featured an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Nimal, Fauziyya Hassan, Ravee Farooq, Zeenath Abbas, and Ahmed Lais Asim, who were at the time the biggest names in Maldivian cinema.[42] Mohamed played the wife of the titular character and regarded her role to be one of the most challenging she had taken on throughout her career, since most of her dialogue needed to be "audible and expressive in gestures".[42] The film received widespread critical acclaim and attained blockbuster status at the box office,[31] making it one of the all-time highest-grossing movies in the Maldives.[43] It was also the Maldivian official entry at the 2009 SAARC Film Festival and had the privilege of being the festival's opening feature.[44][31] Mohamed's performance earned her a Gaumee Film Awards nomination for Best Actress, and she won a Maldives Film Award in the same category.[45][46]

Mohamed had four releases in 2009. Her first film of the year was Yoosuf Shafeeu's Hiyy Rohvaanulaa, where she featured alongside Shafeeu, Abdulla Muaz, and Nadhiya Hassan.[47] The film follows a blind man who regains his eyesight but decides to conceal this and continue presenting as blind in order to discover his wife's affair with another man.[28] Mohamed played the role of Zeeshan, a schoolteacher trapped in her previous relationship with a ruthless man.[47] The film received favorable reviews from critics and was a commercial success.[47] For her performance in the film, Mohamed received a nominations for Best Actress at the 6th Gaumee Film Awards and the 1st Maldives Film Awards ceremony.[45][48]

The same year, the actress played a naive woman who is brutally raped by her brother-in-law, in Ahmed Nimal's drama E Dharifulhu, which featured an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mohamed Manik, Sheela Najeeb, and Ahmed Nimal.[5] At the 1st Maldives Film Awards, Mohamed received her third nomination as Best Actress for her performance in the film.[48] She next appeared in Ali Shifau's suspense thriller Happy Birthday, which narrates the story of a simple man who receives a call on his birthday informing him that his wife and son have been kidnapped for ransom.[49] Mohamed played the role of Suza, the man's wife.[49] The film was a commercial failure, despite a positive response from critics.[49] It won five Gaumee Film Awards and twelve Maldives Film Awards and was also screened at the Venice Film Festival.[50] In her last release of the year, Mohamed starred opposite Ali Seezan and Nadhiya Hassan in Seezan's melodrama Karuna Vee Beyvafa.[51] The film follows a happily married couple who learn that the wife cannot bear children, and the collapse of their relationship following this.[51]

Mohamed's first release of 2010 was Ali Seezan's family drama Maafeh Neiy, where she appeared alongside Seezan and Koyya Hassan Manik.[52] The film highlights many social issues including human rights abuses, forced marriage, and domestic violence.[52] Mohamed playes the role of Seema, a woman who has been ill-treated by her two daughters.[52] The film was criticised for its melodrama, though critics found Mohamed to be the "saving grace of the film". Other critics expressed disappointment to "witness a middling acting [from] the all-time best actress".[52] The film fetched her a nomination for Best Actress at the 2nd Maldives Film Awards.[46] In her next release of the year, a family drama by Ali Shifau, Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa, Mohamed featured in dual roles—as Nisha, an aspiring model who has been tormented by tempestuous in-laws, and as Aminath, a woman who dies during childbirth.[53] The film and her performance received positive responses from critics.[49]

Mohamed receiving the National Award of Recognition, 2011

Mohamed next starred opposite Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, and Mohamed Manik in Ahmed Nimal's horror film Zalzalaa En'buri Aun.[54] It was a spin-off of Aslam Rasheed's horror classic Zalzalaa (2000).[54] The film revolves around a mariage blanc, the murder of a man by his wife, and the avenging of his death.[54] Mohamed played the role of a spirit who falls in love with the lead character and later seeks vengeance for his murder.[54] The film received mixed responses from critics and had a mediocre performance at the box office.[54] Later in 2010, Mohamed appeared alongside Yoosuf Shafeeu and Amira Ismail in Veeraana, a drama film that deals with child sexual abuse.[55] She played the role of Reena, a woman who dies during childbirth.[55] The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who praised the writer and director for tackling a sensitive topic but criticized the "over-the-top melodrama".[55] The production proved to be a commercial success, however.[56] Mohamed next reunited with Ahmed Nimal in his horror film The Three, which received negative reviews from critics and was declared to be a box office disaster.[57] She also appeared in Amjad Ibrahim's romantic horror film Vakinuvinama, which was another critical and commercial failure.[58]

The actress followed this with her directorial debut, the drama Niuma, which featured her in the titular role, alongside an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Nimal, Aminath Rasheedha, and Abdulla Muaz.[59] The project made Mohamed the highest-paid actress in the history of Maldivian cinema.[60] In an interview, she stated, "I sacrificed my hair to make a scene audiences will be thrilled to watch. I assure everyone that, if this film is not appreciated, I will leave the industry once and for all".[59] Upon release, the film was met with widespread critical acclaim, specifically complimenting the performance and dialogue. Ahmed Naif from Sun wrote: "Niuma's acting is the best I have seen from a Maldivian film. In the scene where Nimal cuts her hair, she brought the perfect expression and emotions to it, nobody else could have justified the role as she did".[61] The film went on to become the highest-grossing Maldivian release of the year[62] and fetched Mohamed several accolades, including Best Director and Best Actress awards at the 2nd Maldives Film Awards.[63] She also won the Best Actress award at the 6th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony, while being nominated for Best Director.[64][45]

Mohamed began 2011 with Hussain Munawwar's directorial debut, Sazaa, opposite Ismail Rasheed and Lufshan Shakeeb.[65] The story revolves around a carefree woman whose life it turned upside down when she is forced to marry a brutal man.[65] Mohamed earned mostly positive comments for her performance as the lead character.[65] Critically well received, the film emerged as a commercial success.[65] Mohamed's performance fetched her a Best Actress nomination at the 7th Gaumee Film Awards.[66] She followed this success by appearing in Ali Shifau's psychological romantic thriller Zaharu, alongside Ali Seezan and Sheela Najeeb.[67] The film centers around a married man who has a brief affair with a woman who becomes obsessed with him.[67] Mohamed played the role of Aminath, a woman who finds out about her husband's extramarital affair.[67] The film was inspired by the Adrian Lyne-directed American erotic thriller Fatal Attraction (1987).[67] Upon release, Zaharu received mixed responses from critics and was declared a flop at the box office.[49] Apart from featuring in an item number in Hamid Ali's Laelaa, Mohamed went on to star alongside Aishath Rishmy, Ali Seezan, Ahmed Azmeel, and Aminath Rasheedha in Azmeel's debut, Hiyy Yaara Dheefa.[68][69] The film received negative reviews from critics, pointing out similarities between the Bollywood comedy-drama film Ishq (1997) and Kundan Shah's family drama Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002).[70] Mohamed played Anju, an adopted daughter craving love. The film did not succeed financially, but her portrayal was moderately acclaimed by critics.[70]

In 2012, the actress played a physiotherapist in Ravee Farooq romantic drama film Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen, opposite Mohamed Manik and Ali Seezan.[71] Upon release, the film received mixed responses from critics, while Mohamed's performance was reviewed positively. Ahmed Nadheem of Haveeru noted the film as "the best Maldivian melodramatic film" he had seen in the past two years, though he was displeased with its similarities to two Bollywood films.[72] Mohamed's portrayal of Saara in the film resulted in another Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Actress.[66] The following year, she again collaborated with Munawwar for his second production, the revenge thriller film Dhilakani, along with Ismail Rasheed, Mohamed Manik, Mohamed Faisal, and Aminath Rishfa.[73] The film deals with a man's tumultuous journey to seek vengeance and the demolition of a family bond over a girl.[74] Mohamed played the love interest of three siblings. 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. Munawwar failed to extract the talent of actors like [Niuma Mohamed], who is the most accomplished actress in the industry".[75] Mohamed was bestowed with the Best Actress award at the 3rd Maldives Film Awards.[76]

Mohamed at the 9th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony, 2019

Mohamed's first release of 2014 was Mohamed Nimal's family drama Aniyaa, alongside Ismail Rasheed and Mohamed Jumayyil.[77] The story revolves around a boy who has been deprived of love by his parents.[78] Due to several technical errors and struggles caused during the screening of the film, it failed to garner enough hype, ultimately performing poorly at the box office.[79] It was followed by another family drama, Aadheys, directed by Abdul Faththaah and starring Hussain Sobah, Amira Ismail, Moosa Zakariyya, Fathimath Azifa, and Ali Azim in pivotal roles. The film tells the story of a sacrificing mother and her affection towards her child.[80] Filming was completed in 2011, though it was released three years later due to the death of producer Hassain Ali.[81] Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics and failed to leave an impression commercially. In a review, Ismail Naail wrote: "As expected, Niuma leaves less room for criticism though her character and its portrayal can still be improved".[82] At the 8th Gaumee Film Awards, Mohamed received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress for the two films, respectively.[83]

In 2015, the actress made a special appearance in Ali Seezan's action film Ahsham, where she played the role of Ali Seezan's wife who dies in a car accident.[84] The film, made on a budget of MVR 1,500,000, was considered as the most expensive film made in the Maldives.[84] It was one of three entries from the Maldives to the SAARC Film Festival in 2016.[85] The following year, Mohamed featured alongside Yoosuf Shafeeu in Ibrahim Wisan's debut, Vee Beyvafa.[86] The film received negative responses from critics, with Ahmed Adhushan of Mihaaru calling it "a step backward" in the progress of cinema.[87]

In 2017, Mohamed made a special appearance in the romantic comedy film Naughty 40 and also produced the film alongside Ismail Shafeeq.[88] She featured alongside an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Saeed, and Ali Seezan, playing the role of Niufa.[88] The film met with both critical and commercial success, emerging as one of the highest-grossing Maldivian films of 2017.[89][90] On 20 October 2017, a grand event was held to celebrate Mohamed's twenty-year-long career, at which she presented her upcoming psychological thriller Nivairoalhi and announced her retirement from acting.[20]

Released in 2019, the film was produced by Mohamed herself and directed by Moomin Fuad.[91] Starring opposite Yoosuf Shafeeu and Ahmed Asim, the actress gained weight in preparation for her role and faced major delays in post-production since she was suffering from laryngitis.[92] The film received majorly positive reviews from critics: Aishath Maaha of Dho? favored the performance of the lead actors and mentioned the "neat arrangement" of its screenplay, though pointing out its "weak ending".[93] Praising her performance as a patient suffering from depression, Maaha wrote: "On a positive note, this is the most natural acting Niuma has portrayed so far in her career. However, it surely breaks several hearts to realize that we will no longer see such a marvelous performance from her in any film to come".[93] Later that year, the first Maldivian anthology film was released, featuring Mohamed as the helpless wife of a drug dealer in a segment directed by Fuad, titled "Baiveriya".[94] The project was shot in 2013 and digitally released six years later due to several delays in post-production.[95]