Mahdi Ahmed

I wrapped up writing the web series, Girlfriends, 12 episodes yesterday. The feeling is indescribable, and my heart is overflowing with emotions. This was not just a project but a journey that left an imprint on my soul, and it was an experience I will forever cherish and hold close to my heart.

From the moment I sat in the first pitch meeting with the series creator, Munko, to the character build-up sessions with the entire cast, I knew this would be special. The concept was simple yet so emotionally charged that I was utterly drawn and immersed in it.

Girlfriends is a story of three twenty-something girls sharing one room, struggling to fulfill their dreams while making ends meet amidst the chaotic city life of Male’. It was a tale of trials and tribulations, heartbreaks and triumphs, and the unbreakable bond of friendship. It was a story that resonated with me on so many levels.

And yet, this was not the first series I have written where the entire series revolves around women. Hinithunvelaashey Kalaa, with fifty-two episodes aired on TVM eons ago, explored the lives of two best friends, girls living on the island of Kelai. While writing Girlfriends, I felt the same intensity and compassion I had for Hinithunvelaashey Kalaa, but a notch above, given that I had to deal with not just two but an array of women characters. And they were tossed into today’s society, which has changed considerably and is fierce and harsh.

I am grateful to Munko and executive producer Saaji for trusting me to write this series to all my heart’s desires. I hope I have delivered to their satisfaction. If only the streamer had given some analytics after premiering each episode. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bugged them occasionally for feedback.

But my gratitude extends beyond Munko and Saaji. I am indebted to the entire cast, especially the four central characters, for their stunning performances. Zila, Shamla, Hawwa, and Firushan, acted by Ayecha, Myeha, Lahfa, and Sharif, respectively, are mesmerizing. They brought their characters to life in an authentic and heart-wrenching way. They are a treat to watch.

Even the actors in the supporting roles were fabulous. Shout out to Maria, Alam, Axam, Afrah, and the rest of the cast. They all stood out and brought a unique flavor to the series.

And let’s not forget the music. Shahyd Legacy’s composition touched every string of my heart, and it was the beat of the entire series, elevating every scene to another level.

Sami has given this series a striking visual with his lensing, an infectious color with his color grading, and his editing is well-paced. He is a true artist in every sense of the word.

Last, I bow to director Kandi Wisan for his assured direction and for giving this series a completely different visual flair with dramatic undertones. He has squeezed the very best out of every actor, and the result is a job well done.

Girlfriends have been etched deeply in my heart, and I miss writing about them. A few months back, I was making their lives happy, fun, sad, and miserable, sometimes putting them in grave danger. Sometimes I felt a lump in my throat to throw any of them into such emotional turbulence, and I felt that none deserved such treatment.

But that is the nature of storytelling. We create characters, put them through trials, and watch them grow. And that is precisely what we did with Girlfriends

Cheers!