Mahdi Ahmed

Scripting waves of imagination from the sunny side of the Maldives.

Posts tagged ‘Dhilakani’

EDITING DHILAKANI

Until the producer of DHILAKANI (Fire Sparks) officially announces the talented editor who was recently appointed to edit the film, I have no authority whatsoever to reveal his name. That’s why I’m going to address him as the editor henceforth. So here’s the latest update on it.

The editor has started editing on Tuesday night, two hours after he agreed to the contractual terms of service. He has already edited twenty minutes which is quite a rapid progress considering he works only four hours each day.

Minutes after the contract was signed, to celebrate the editor’s on boarding, director Hussain Munavvaru threw a small party on his behalf on Tuesday evening at Dinemore Garden. Almost everyone who was present including the leading actor of the film, Ismail Rasheed looked as if we all wanted an immediate dive into the sea bordering the open air section of the restaurant. We all ordered submarines!

Director Hussain Munavvaru reports that the cut looks awesome and he’s very pleased. He would surely put the Cheshire cat to shame. Both smiles even have a resemblance. I’m yet to see any of the editing done. Hopefully tomorrow I will. I just can’t wait to see even a minute of it.

Also staying with DHILAKANI, director Munavvaru has appointed Ravee Farooq to produce all the promotional video materials needed for the film including all the trailers. Last night, I have mailed Ravee a soft copy of the film’s screenplay. The first official trailer of INGILI (Finger) and MIKOE BAPPA BAEY BAEY (Come My Baby’s Father) were compiled by Ravee. Both trailers received rave reviews. Awesome!

Well, that’s all I have for now. Before I type off, Eid greetings to all.

Cheers!

DHILAKANI, MAROCCHINO AND TWO UPDATES

Director Hussain Munavvaru including his cast and crew have returned from Shaviyani Atoll this morning after completing majority of principal photography of DHIKALANI (FIRE SPARKS). I just came from his studio after watching couple of dailies. They look absolutely great! The performance from all the actors were outstanding, Munavvaru’s direction looked solid and photography by Maskey was well handled. Their work was beyond my expectation.

The production of DHILAKANI started off in Male’ in late August. After shooting all the scenes required to be shot in Male’ except for two historical scenes, production was then shifted to Feevaku of Shaviyani Atoll. Most of the shooting was done there before leaving to Foakaidhoo of the same atoll.

DHILAKANI was inspired from one of my favorite films of Hollywood which was released some 18 years ago. However, my screenplay deals with one man’s tumultuous journey to seek vengeance, his undoing and his eventual redemption from an unlikeliest of sources. Some of the ultra violent scenes in the film were based on real incidents that were happened in different corners of Maldives in recent times. The film also has a political subplot which I think, if I’m not wrong, is a subject new in Dhivehi films. If some filmmakers contradict this, I sincerely apologize.

In other news, due to some financial issues, I was asked by my client to stall writing the dramedy I was going to start next and for which I have lost enough sleep and hair too. Though temporarily, I felt a ton off my both shoulders, that’s a total of two tons. But those tons will occupy my both shoulders once again when I’m asked to resume writing. Until then I can do some arm circles and rocky presses.

This evening I met with Ravee at L’Aquila, not the Italian city I mean. This place is my favorite coffee hangout these days. I simply love the ambiance and the woody interior. And their Illy Marocchino is my latest craving. An espresso shot with cocoa powder and milk froth, it’s yummy! Anyway, where was I? Yes, my meeting with Ravee.

We discussed on the final installment of our two characters at one location trilogy. We brainstormed on couple of additions here and there to my already done rough screenplay outlining. I must say the meeting was very productive. We even developed the two female characters and how their interaction with each other will be throughout the film. I’m so tempted to reveal in detail everything we discussed but this storyline needs to be kept under wraps.

Before I really giveaway any spoilers, I end this post.

Cheers!