Mahdi Ahmed

i have collaborated with veteran writer/ director MOHAMED HILMY to write yet an untitle project for NCA/ UNFPA. this project was previously commissioned to a naivette and HILMY and i acted as consultants to guide the writer. but once the finished script demanded more visuals and film style, NCA/ UNFPA decided us to jump.

 

HILMY has already structured the second half of the screenplay. i have constructed the first have and started writing. once i finish the first half, the written part will be given for comments.

 

 

drama serial HINITHUNVELAASHEY KALAA… has hit 15 episodes. this serial is gaining popularity with each episode. the audience praise the acting chops of AFEE, HAJJA and JIMMY. the trio looks so natural in their parts.

 

HAJJA has found her match in JIMMY. both have married and puts AFEE in a difficult position. she feels lonely and everyone’s waiting for the day when she ties the knot. i know in which episode she marries, but am not gonna tell a thing. my lips are sealed.

 

 

VAALOABI ENGEYNAMA… directed by AHMED NIMAAL and produced by ABDUL FATTHAAH has hit the editing table. SCEMI’s editing gives a greater depth to the silent moment between the actors.

YOUPPE nails his part as the confused husband to two wives of two extremes. AFEE plays the quieter type while YOUPPE’s off-screen wife chews her scenes as the angry wife.

NIMAL’s direction has an infectious style.

this film hits the screen on DECEMBER 10.

i have written a 5 episode serial for TVM based on a true story of a rehabilitated drug addict. this serial titled NETHI DHIAYAS is directed by visual maestro BAARU SHAREE. this is my second writing collaboration with him, first being the 13 episode serial LOABIVAANAMA… made for TVM as well.

 

NETHI DHIAYAS is the darkest i have written so far, a tone which fits SHAREE’s visual style perfectly.

 

i have seen the 30 seconds trailer and it looks awesome!

regardless of ROCKY’s low sale, actor/director SAEED wanted a sequel, yes, based on LAGE RAHO MUNNA BHAI. in the dhivehi version, titled ROCKY 2, maldivian historical legend MOHAMED THAKURUFAANU replaces MAHATMA GANDHI. but, lo and behold, MOHAMED THAKURUFAANU won’t be  shmoozing philosophy like GANDHIJI did.

 

currenlty the production is posponed due to bad weather after shooting 2 scenes.

after days of writer’s block from my end and schedule changes from the producer’s end, i have finished SEEZAN’s 13 episode serial, THIYA LOABEEGAA… days before they begin production. phew! however, this turned out to be the first serial that took me months to complete.

 

but my lateness and days of brooding over the subject matter, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. the last three episodes leading to the final climactic 2 episodes, i wrote with a blast. it looks good and reflects on human condition from a jinn’s point of view that is.

 

the final episode finishes with a continuation in to a new season. 

yesterday, i have wrapped up ROCKY, a short comedy for actor THUTTHU SAEED. i will be credited under the psuedonym, MOHAN. how on earth i decided to stick to that name still remains a mystery to me. so don’t be asking me for detail. but i thought MOHAN sounds cool for a comedy script. don’t you think?

 

shooting has also begun yesterday. SAEED himself will direct which is also his first venture in to direction.

actor SAEED aka THUTTHU SAEED has commissioned me to write his short comedy ROCKY which follows a group of wannabe baddies. this is my first try at comedy.

VAALOABI ENGEYNAMA a screenplay I have written to a story by AISHATH NEENA will go behind cameras on 29th of this month. The screenplay was changed to the picturesque location of Gn. Mulah from Male’. this will be the first feature-length project from FATTHAAH’s own company, RED PRODUCTIONS. Veteran director AHMED NIMAL, in collaboration with FATTHAAH is set to direct.

Casting has been finalised with superstar YOUPPE and his off-screen wife, FAREE playing star-crossed lovers. Promising actress, AFEE will play the hapless damsel in distress. Newcomer AYYA plays the doctor in love.

The story shifts between YOUPPE and AFEE who are forced to marry each other. their marriage of convenience turns… don’t expect me to tell the whole story. But here’s a trivia. The title was changed due to poetic reasons. And oh, one more thing. The character of AYYA is a combination of two characters from the story which has a doctor as well as a drug addict coming into AFEE’s life. This was done to keep the film at 2 hours, 30 minutes.

where have i been? good question. answer, simple. busy. what have i been up to? another good question. answer, again simple. was and is busy writing. screenplays? yes.

 

apart from writing, i have been taking time out to help editor SEMI with the editing of HINITHUNVELAASHEY KALAA. ten episodes have been completed and submitted to TVM. five episodes have been shown, fifth only shown last night. SEMI is currently editing episode twelve. he has targetted a rough cut up to episode fifteen before FATTHAAH and crew flies to Gn. MULAKU on 29th of this month to shoot VAALOABI ENGEYNAMA… my screenplay written on a story by AISHATH NEENA.

 

looking back on what i have done lately, i have discontinued writing serial THIYA LOABIGAA. after i submitted episode 2 for comments, i didnt hear from my clients. however, i stopped writing after i have written up to episode 5. the deadline for them to shoot this project has long passed. guess am not the only one who is never heard from for a long time…