Abdulla Muaz
{{Infobox person
| name = Abdulla Muaz
| image = Muaz Silver Jubilee.jpg
| imagesize =
| alt = Muaz looking at the camera smiling
| caption = Muaz at Niuma Mohamed's Silver Jubilee celebration event, 2019
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Actor, editor, director
| yearsactive = 2004–present
| spouse = {{unbulleted list||{{marriage| Shayan Shahida|reason=div }}}}
{{marriage|Mariyam Azza|February 2020 }}
| children = 1
| works =
| awards =
}}
Abdulla Muaz is a Maldivian film actor, editor and directors and officers and
Career
Muaz made a brief appearance in Yoosuf Shafeeu directed horror film Edhathuru (2004) which revolves around eight friends who go on a picnic to a haunted uninhabited island and their battle for survival.{{cite news |url=https://sun.mv/111827 |title=Soba returning to screen with "Kaaku?" |work=Sun |language=Divehi |last=Musthafa |first=Mohamed |date=19 November 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20181130061619/https://sun.mv/111827 |url-status=live |archivedate=30 November 2018 |access-date=30 November 2018 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/18535 |title=Kuda Hajja will always be a star though she fails to fulfill her dreams |work=Avas |language=Divehi |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=13 June 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130061630/https://avas.mv/18535 |url-status=live |archivedate=30 November 2018 |access-date=30 November 2018|df=dmy-all}} The film garnered critical appreciation specially for its sound effect and was a commercial success.{{cite news |url=https://haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/news/56402 |title="Vehey Vaarey Thereyn" lifts Best Film Award with six other awards |work=Avas |language=Divehi |last=Ahmed |first=Fazeena |date=20 December 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130062142/http://webcache.dhivehi.mv/haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/news/56402 |url-status=dead |archivedate=30 November 2018 |access-date=30 November 2018 |df=dmy-all }}
Moomin Fuad and Ali Shifau's critically appreciated crime film Heylaa (2006) featured Muaz as a drug user.{{cite news |url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/44005 |title=Fuad regrets his involvement in Happy Birthday |language=Divehi |work=Dho? |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=21 October 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190117060811/https://dho.mv/baiscope/44005 |url-status=live |archivedate=17 January 2019 |access-date=17 January 2019 |df=dmy-all }} The film narrates the story of a fourteen years old ambitious boy who finds himself unknowingly being involved in smuggling of a revolver. It was the first Maldivian film to be shot in high-definition digital video.{{cite news |url=http://inaamu.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=177&wid=1343 |title=Gaumee Inaam 2018 - Ali Shifau |work=Presidency Maldives |language=Divehi |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190117062603/http://inaamu.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=177&wid=1343 |url-status=dead |archivedate=17 January 2019 |access-date=3 December 2018 |df=dmy-all }} Though the film received positive reviews from critics, it was a commercial failure.{{cite news |url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/23701 |title=11 years anniversary for DRE; what did they achieve? |language=dv |work=Dho |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=14 September 2017 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20181005134413/https://dho.mv/baiscope/23701 |url-status=dead |archivedate=5 October 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/107034 |title=Moomin not satisfied even after 12 Awards |language=Divehi |work=Haveeru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=4 July 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216101531/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/DZ2eg |url-status=dead |archivedate=16 December 2018 |access-date=16 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}} Co-director of the film Shifau opined that its commercial status was a result of casting "not very prominent" faces in the film and the "film-goers were not ready to accept the genre" at the time of release.{{cite news |url=https://www.sun.mv/109020 |title=Chippe with new hopes after receiving National Award |language=Divehi |work=Sun |last=Luba |first=Aminath |date=8 August 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190117060200/https://www.sun.mv/109020 |url-status=dead |archivedate=17 January 2019 |access-date=16 December 2018 |df=dmy-all }} Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru praised the narration and plot of the film while calling his performance to be "strictly average".{{cite news |url=https://archive.mv/dv/articles/X9owd |title=Heylaa: An awakening film from a drowsed industry |language=Divehi |work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=29 March 2012 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190117062120/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/X9owd |url-status=dead |archivedate=17 January 2019 |access-date=16 December 2018 |df=dmy-all }} He next appeared as a man practicing the art of palmistry in Hukuru Vileyrey (2006), co-directed by Aishath Rishmy and Aminath Rasheedha which was based on a novel published by Ibrahim Waheed on Haveeru Daily in 2003.{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/35543 |title=Hukuru Vileyrey - Big hopes, big challenges: Ainthu |newspaper=Haveeru Daily |author=Naseer, Ismail |language=Divehi|date=20 July 2006 |access-date=8 October 2012 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/17899 |title=Can "Vishka" be the movie of the year? |language=Divehi|publisher=Avas |author=Nadheem, Ahmed |date=30 May 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603155311/https://avas.mv/17899 |archivedate=3 June 2016 |access-date=3 June 2016}} The film was a critical and commercial success while being considered as "one of the few acceptable horror film the Maldivian Film Industry has ever produced".{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/entertainment/31025 |title=Fanaa: Proof of Yaaraa's immaturity |newspaper=Haveeru Daily |author=Naafiz, Ali |date=19 July 2010 |access-date=8 October 2012 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=https://dho.mv/style/30663 |title=Rishmy's style prior to Red Carpet |language=Divehi |work=Dho? |last=Rasheed |first=Nurah |date=8 February 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190118061450/https://dho.mv/style/30663 |url-status=live |archivedate=18 January 2019 |access-date=18 January 2019 |df=dmy-all }} It was later released as 15 episodes television series with inclusion of several clips that were edited off while released in theatre.{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/49056 |title="Hukuru Vileyrey" releasing as a Drama |newspaper=Haveeru Daily |author=Ahmed, Fazeena |language=Divehi|date=23 November 2006 |access-date=8 October 2012 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|url=http://vnews.mv/103080 |title=Isn't Azza the greatest? |language=Divehi |work=VNews |last=Shaneeza |first=Mariyam |date=11 September 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190118061727/http://vnews.mv/103080 |url-status=live |archivedate=18 January 2019 |access-date=18 January 2019 |df=dmy-all}}
Muaz officially made his film debut in a leading role with Yoosuf Shafeeu-directed Hiyy Rohvaanulaa (2009) which features Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed and Nadhiya Hassan alongside him.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/index.php/entertainment/25099 |title=Are these stars fallen? |work=Mihaaru |language=Divehi |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=17 October 2017 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190104074419/https://mihaaru.com/index.php/entertainment/25099 |url-status=live |archivedate=4 January 2019 |access-date=4 January 2019 |df=dmy-all}} The film follows a blind man who regains his eyesight but decides to fake his blindness to discover her wife's affair with another man.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12282|title=A festival of Amjey's films to be organized |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=30 January 2017 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20181222115546/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12282 |url-status=live |archivedate=22 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}} Muaz played the role of Vishal, a ruthless and determined man who is ready to go extreme extent to win back his first love. The film received favorable reviews from critics and was a commercial success.
The following year he starred in Niuma Mohamed's directorial debut drama film Niuma (2010) alongside an ensemble cast including Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Aminath Rasheedha and Ahmed Nimal. He played the tolerant boyfriend who was unaware that his girlfriend was being sexually abused by her father and brother. Upon release, the film met with widespread critical acclaim specifically complimenting the performance of actors and its dialogues.{{cite news|url=http://haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=102955&category=ihUfinum |title=Niuma; a must watch |language=Divehi|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=4 November 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124093750/http://haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=102955&category=ihUfinum |url-status=dead |archivedate=24 November 2010 |access-date=26 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://sun.mv/3777 |title="Niuma" has exposed the reality of our society |language=Divehi|work=Sun |last=Niyaza |first=Aminath |date=13 December 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928134956/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/Yvm0|url-status=dead |archivedate=28 September 2018 |access-date=28 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}} Being able to screen over thirty housefull shows of the film, it was declared a Mega-Hit at box office, and the highest grossing Maldivian release of the year.{{cite news|url=https://sun.mv/3634 |title=Housefull shows of "Niuma" screened |language=Divehi|work=Sun |last=Niyaza |first=Aminath |date=6 December 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928134057/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/898e |url-status=dead |archivedate=28 September 2018 |access-date=28 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}} The film fetched him a Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and a nomination for Best Editing at 6th Gaumee Film Awards while winning in the same category at 1st Maldives Film Awards.{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/123762 |title=Winners of Maldives Film Awards |language=Divehi|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=5 July 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094000/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/123762 |url-status=dead |archivedate=2 April 2015 |access-date=19 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/9322 |title=Yoope crowned Best Actor, Niuma received Best Actress, and Happy Birthday as the Best Film |language=Divehi|work=Avas |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=23 October 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924050337/https://avas.mv/9322 |url-status=live |archivedate=24 September 2018 |access-date=24 September 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://sun.mv/64111 |title=Majority of the awards for "Niuma", "Happy Birthday" announced as best film |language=dv |work=Sun|last=Saeed|first=Fathimath |date=23 October 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024085951/https://sun.mv/64111 |url-status=live |archivedate=24 October 2015 |access-date=30 March 2018}}
In 2013, Muaz starred opposite Ismail Rasheed in Ravee Farooq directed critically acclaimed experimental suspense thriller Ingili. It was based on fourteen years old Mohamed Hassaan's National Award-winning short story, Holhuasheege Ekuveriya. It celebrates the first Maldivian film to get recognized internationally by winning bronze medal in Best Feature Film category at SAARC Film Festival 2014 held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He received another Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor while winning a Maldives Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/10378 |title=Nominations for 7th Gaumee Film Awards Announced |language=Divehi |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=16 December 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330160950/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/28015 |url-status=live |archivedate=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/153617 |title=Maldives Film Awards Nominations ous |language=Divehi |work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=29 April 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405165421/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/153617 |url-status=dead |archivedate=5 April 2015 |access-date=30 March 2018 |df=dmy-all }}
In 2016, he featured alongside Niuma Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu in Ibrahim Wisan's debut direction Vee Beyvafa which was shot in 2011.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/9672 |title="Vee Beyvafa" to premier in 13 islands along with Male' |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=30 November 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330140232/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/9672 |url-status=live |archivedate=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018 |df=dmy-all}} The film received a negative response from critics while Ahmed Adhushan of Mihaaru concluded his review calling the film "a step backward" in the progress of cinema.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/9748 |title="Vee Beyvafa": A step backward |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=30 November 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330140908/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/9748 |url-status=live |archivedate=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018 |df=dmy-all}}
Media image
In 2018, he was ranked in the eighth position from Dho?'s list of Top Ten Actor of Maldives.{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/31481 |title=Who is the Best Actor? |work=Dho? |language=dv |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=26 February 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190106182050/https://dho.mv/baiscope/31481 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 January 2019 |access-date=7 February 2019|df=dmy-all}}
Filmography
=Feature film=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
!scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
| 2004
!scope="row"| Edhathuru | Ahmed | Special appearance |
| 2006
! scope="row" | Hukuru Vileyrey | Zaid | |
| 2006
!scope="row"| Heylaa | Ayya | |
| 2009
!scope="row"| Hiyy Rohvaanulaa | Vishal | Maldives Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2010
!scope="row"| Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa | Himself | Special appearance in the song "Annaashey Hinithun Velamaa" |
| 2010
!scope="row"| Niuma | Shiyaz |
| 2013
!scope="row"| Ingili | Ammadey | Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2016
!scope="row"| Vee Beyvafa | Huzam | |
| 2019
! scope="row" | Leena | Ali Zuhoor | Also the director and editor |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
!scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
| 2003
!scope="row"| Ujaalaa Raasthaa | Asim | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
| 2004
!scope="row"| Vaisoori | Shiyaz | In the segment "An'dhiri Hayaaiy" |
| 2005
!scope="row"|Baiveriyaa | Naseeh | Recurring role; 4 episodes |
| 2020
!scope="row"| Huvaa | Azim | Main role |
| 2022
!scope="row"|Biruveri Vaahaka | Akram | Main role; Episode "Loabiverin" |
| 2024
!scope="row"|Yaaraa | Himself | Guest role; "Episode 49" |
=Short film=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
!scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
| 2006
!scope="row"|Vasvaas 1 | Ali | Also the co-writer |
| 2006
!scope="row"|Haa Shaviyani Rasgefaanu | | | |
| 2006
!scope="row"|Haa Shaviyani Rasgefaanu 2 | | | |
| 2007
!scope="row"|Badi Edhuru | Mohamed Suheil | |
| 2010
!scope="row" | Loabeege Ninja | Presenter | Special appearance |
=Other work=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
!scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Director !scope="col"| Editor !scope="col"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
| 2006
!scope="row"| Dheke Dhekeves 4 | | {{yes}} | Short film |
| 2007
!scope="row"| Farihibe 1 | | {{Yes}} | Short film |
| 2008
!scope="row"| Farihibe 2 | | {{Yes}} | Short film |
| 2008
!scope="row"| Faqeeru Koe | | {{Yes}} | Short film |
| 2010
!scope="row"| Muhammaage Briefcase | | {{Yes}} | Short film |
| 2011
!scope="row"| Farihibe 3 | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | Short film |
| 2011
!scope="row"| Siyaasee Vaccine | {{yes}} | {{Yes}} | Short film |
| 2012
!scope="row"| 13 Ah Visnaa Dhehaas | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | Short film |
| 2013
!scope="row"|Siyaasee Koalhun | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | Short film |
| 2013
!scope="row"|Farihibe 4 | {{Yes}} | | Short film |
| 2016
!scope="row"|Dhekey goiy | {{Yes}} | | Office drama | |
| 2019
!scope="row"|Leena | {{Yes}} | {{yes}} | Feature film |
| 2021
!scope="row"|Hatharu Manzaru | {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | Segment "Ruqyah" |
| 2024
!scope="row"| Kamanaa | | {{Yes}} | Feature film |
| 2025
!scope="row"| Imthihaan | {{Yes}} | | Web series; 10 epsiodes |
Discography
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| Year
! Album/Film ! Track ! Co-artist(s) |
|---|
| 2019
!scope="row" | Leena |"Mee Ishq Hey" | Solo |
Accolades
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Award !scope="col"| Category !scope="col"| Nominated work !scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2011
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 1st Maldives Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | {{won}} |
| Best Choreographer
| "Haa Ufaa" - Hiyy Rohvaanulaa | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"| 2012
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2nd Maldives Film Awards | Best Editing | Niuma | {{won}} |
| Best Director - Short film
| Siyaasee Vaccine | {{won}} |
| rowspan="6"| 2014
! scope="row" rowspan="6" | 3rd Maldives Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Ingili | {{won}} |
| rowspan="3"| Best Director - Short film
| {{won}} |
| 13 Ah Visnaa Dhehaas
| {{nom}} |
| Siyaasee Koalhun
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"| Best Editor - Short film
| Siyaasee Koalhun | {{won}} |
| Farihibe 4
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"| 2015
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 6th Gaumee Film Awards | Niuma | {{won}} |
| Best Editing
| Niuma | {{nom}} |
| 2016
! scope="row" | 7th Gaumee Film Awards | Ingili | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="3"| 2017
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 8th Gaumee Film Awards | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | Best Editing - Short film
| {{nom}} |
| Farihibe 3
| {{nom}} |
| 2023
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 3rd Karnataka International Film Festival | Best Director – Short Film | Ruqyah | {{won}} |