Mahdi Ahmed

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…

the 52 episode serial HINITHUNVELAASHEY KALAA from renowned director ABDUL FATTHAAH was premiered on July 26th. this serial will be shown on every WEDNESDAY night at 2300 hours and the repeat on FRIDAY night at 2330 hours.

 

most of the viewers enjoyed the first episode and felt the serial a breath of fresh air.  i recieved only few comments and that was over the scene between HAJJA and her dad at the fields. some felt the dialogues there a bit unreal. however others ejoyed the same scene. many professionals working in dhivehi film industry commended the effort FATTHAAH has put on this serial. also kudos went to the storyline and the dialogues. well in case y’all reading didn’t know, i wrote the teleplay. HO! HO! HO!

 

episode 2 was aired last night. everyone declared this episode being much superior than the first. episode 2 digs deeper in to FAZU’s character played by AFEE. she gives a wonderful performance as the lonely teacher who only seeks happiness from her childhood memories and her childhood friend INAA played with confidence by HAJJA. the scenes between them are very natural.

 

watch out for episode 3. the serial gets better with each episode…

episode 13 which was the serial finale of KURMEY VADHAA’EE SALAAM was aired last week. the serial wrapped up in all too melodramatic fashion but told in few flashbacks at the climax. the serial had its followers complaining that the story needs to be lengthened to few more episodes. but what can i do… i was told to write 13 serials, not a serial less or more!

the writer’s block prevails. am lost for ideas. despite all these setbacks, episode 2 of THIYA LOABEEGA will be wrapped up today. this episode centers around where the first episode left off, which is the picnic scene. then there’s this something in this island lurking around the 3 girls. guess that is enough detail i have revealed. better control myself.

 

i still haven’t a clue why am unable to find my kick for this serial. hope this writer’s block doesn’t lurk inside my brain for too long. 

52 episodes serial HINITHUNVELAASHEY KALAA has been scheduled at 2300 hrs on WEDNESDAY NIGHT and repeat at 2330 hrs on FRIDAY NIGHT.