MOHAMED FAISAL (FAI): THE SOUND BENEATH THE SILENCE OF KAN’BULO
In cinema, sound isn’t simply heard — it’s felt. It guides the audience’s breath, sharpens their senses, and often tells the story in ways no image can. Once again, I’m privileged to witness the genius of Mohamed Faisal (Fai), the sound designer behind last year’s blockbuster Kamanaa, as he returns to craft the soundscape for Kan’bulo.
Kan’bulo demands a very different kind of auditory world than Kamanaa. Where Kamanaa was driven by tension and unspoken desire, Kan’bulo is a story that breathes through silence, restraint, and emotional undercurrent. It’s not about noise — it’s about what remains when noise falls away. And this is where Fai excels. He understands that in a film like this, sound is not decoration — it’s atmosphere, it’s memory, it’s trauma.
Fai approaches sound design like a screenwriter approaches subtext. It’s about what’s beneath the surface. His work on Kan’bulo is precise, intentional, and deeply connected to the emotional landscape of the characters. From ambient textures that create unease to the softest moments of isolation and tenderness, his choices enhance the narrative without overshadowing it. His sound is a companion to the story’s silence — sometimes filling it, sometimes deepening it.
What sets Fai apart, once again, is his commitment to ensuring that sound doesn’t merely accompany the film but interacts with it. He designs with emotion in mind, sculpting spaces where the audience is pulled deeper into the psychological states of the characters without even realizing it. This isn’t sound that demands attention; this is sound that shapes experience.
Working again with the advanced surround sound system at Olympus Theatre, Fai continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Dhivehi cinema. His dedication to elevating the technical craft of our industry is matched only by his instinct for storytelling. He understands that sound, at its best, is invisible but unforgettable.
As we prepare for Kan’bulo’s release, I am once again reminded that a story’s impact isn’t just what’s seen on screen — it’s also what lingers in the silence after the credits roll. With Fai behind the sound, I have no doubt the audience will feel every moment, even long after they’ve left the theatre.
Kan’bulo is set to be released on 31 August 2025.
Mahdi Ahmed 
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