Aishath Gulfa
{{short description|Maldivian film actress}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Aishath Gulfa
| image = Gulfa Olympus.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Gulfa at Olympus reopening ceremony, 2023
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1982|3|17}}
| birth_place = Male', Maldives
| nationality =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Actress
| yearsactive = 1999–present
| spouse =
| partner =
| children =
| works =
| awards =
}}
Aishath Gulfa (born 17 March 1982) is a Maldivian film actress. She made her screen debut in 1999 with the video single "Nala Nala Dhanvaru Feni". Afterwards, she played supporting roles in several films including Kaiveneege Furathama Rey (1999), Ajaaib (2000), Hiiy Edhenee (2001) and Ginihila (2003). After taking a break from acting, Gulfa re-appeared in films with Dark Rain Entertainment's Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen (2015) as Dr. Aisha, a role she reprise in two other films, Vaashey Mashaa Ekee (2016), Mee Loaybakee (2017).
Career
In 1999, Gulfa made her screen debut by accepting an offer from Asim Thaufeeq, in a video single titled "Nala Nala Dhanvaru Feni" alongside Ismail Wajeeh.{{cite news|url=https://www.muniavas.com/18596 |title=Star of the Week: Aishath Gulfa |work=MuniAvas |language=Divehi |last=Abdulla |first=Sajid |date=3 November 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030111038/https://www.muniavas.com/18596 |url-status=live |archivedate=30 October 2020 |accessdate=29 October 2020}} She next appeared as a rebellious daughter in Kaiveneege Furathama Rey which aware the audience on how to tackle sexual assault and rape.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/142 |title=The fall and rise of Sajna |work=Mihaaru |language=Divehi |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=26 May 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022133426/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/142 |url-status=live |archivedate=22 October 2020 |accessdate=4 January 2019 |df=dmy-all}} The following year, she starred opposite Ahmed Asim, Mariyam Nazima, Koyya Hassan Manik and Waleedha Waleed in Haajara Abdul Kareem-directed Ajaaib which depicts the relationship of two exemplary wives and their respective families regardless of societal norms.{{cite news|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/117146 |title=Top 10 Actors in Maldives |language=Divehi|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=16 February 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219100014/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/117146 |url-status=dead|archivedate=19 February 2014 |accessdate=26 November 2018}} She then worked with Aishath Ali Manik for Hiiy Edhenee (2001) which was an unofficial remake of Dharmesh Darshan's romantic film Dhadkan (2000) where she reprised the role played by Manjeet Kullar in the original, the wicked step-sister.{{cite web |last1=Nair |first1=Padmaraj |title=Dhadkan: The good ol' 60s revisited |url=http://www.expressindia.com/screen/20000818/freview.htm |website=Screen |accessdate=14 November 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010207175455/http://www.expressindia.com/screen/20000818/freview.htm#dha |archivedate=7 February 2001 |date=August 2000}}{{cite news|url=https://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/410071/ |title=Maldivians like copied products; our own style is not accepted: Seezan |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Abdulla, Fareeha |date=29 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628081830/https://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/410071/ |archivedate=28 June 2016 |accessdate=28 June 2016}}
In 2003, Gulfa collaborated with Easa Shareef for the horror film Ginihila, alongside Ali Seezan, Niuma Mohamed, Mariyam Nisha and Reeko Moosa Manik, playing the role of a supportive friend.{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/24396 |title=Easa Shareef returns with a Lhen Foiy |work=Avas |language=Divehi |last=Ifraz |first=Ali |date=18 January 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203125554/https://avas.mv/43170 |url-status=live |archivedate=3 December 2018 |accessdate=3 December 2018 }} The film narrates the story of a young couple who decided to spend a romantic break to save their crumbling marriage and how events take a sinister turn when the wife experiences supernatural incidence which has her husband involvement in it.{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/entertainment/32682?ref=mhr-home |title=Wish these actors will return |work=Dho? |language=Divehi |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=15 March 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20181214091805/https://dho.mv/entertainment/32682 |url-status=live |archivedate=14 December 2018 |accessdate=12 December 2018 }} The film is an unofficial remake of Vikram Bhatt's Indian horror film Raaz (2002) which itself is an unofficial adaptation of What Lies Beneath.{{cite web|title=Bollywood plays the aping game|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=63638|work=The Times of India|accessdate=27 April 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050417232830/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=63638|archivedate=17 April 2005}}
After taking a break from the screen, Gulfa returned in 2015, where she appeared in Ali Shifau-directed romantic film Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen as a doctor, alongside Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Majudha.{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/maldives-film-industry/254622/ |title="Emme Fahu Vindhaa Jehendhen": A big success with repeat audience |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Naail, Ismail |date=7 April 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610083108/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/maldives-film-industry/254622/ |archivedate=10 June 2016 |accessdate=10 June 2016}} The film narrating the struggle and challenges a happily married couple undergo, was the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year, and was a critical success.{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/maldives-film-industry/255964/ |title=Unlimited compliments for 'Emme Fahu Vindhaa Jehendhen' |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Naail, Ismail |date=10 April 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610083616/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/maldives-film-industry/255964/ |archivedate=10 June 2016 |accessdate=10 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/review/253783/ |title=Pre-premiere Review: "Emme Fahu Vindhaa Jehendhen" A new benchmark to romantic films |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Naail, Ismail |date=5 April 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610083407/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/review/253783/ |archivedate=10 June 2016 |accessdate=10 June 2016}} She played the same role in another Dark Rain Entertainment's production, Ali Shifau-directed romantic comedy Vaashey Mashaa Ekee (2016) opposite Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Majudha narrating the life of a happily married couple being separated due to the husband's crippling fear of commitment on his wife's pregnancy.{{cite news|url=https://www.avas.mv/12504 |title=A new Film, A new Lover, A new Jumayyil |language=Divehi|publisher=Avas |author=Nadheem, Ahmed |date=8 January 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609164655/https://www.avas.mv/12504 |archivedate=9 June 2016 |accessdate=9 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/15516 |title=Vaashey Mashaa Ekee: Unlimited praise |language=Divehi|publisher=Avas |author=Nasheem, Ahmed |date=6 April 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606080851/https://avas.mv/15516|archivedate=6 June 2016 |accessdate=6 June 2016}}
In 2017, she reprises the same role in another Dark Rain Entertainment's productions, Ali Shifau-directed romantic comedy Mee Loaybakee alongside Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Azza.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/15378 |title=Dark Rain's Mee Laoybakee premiering tonight |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=4 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326150652/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/15378 |archivedate=26 March 2018 |accessdate=26 March 2018}} The film which is considered to include the largest cast in a Maldivian feature film, narrates the story of two ex-lovers sliding into the friend zone with the envy and diffidence they experience amidst a convoluted love-triangle. The film and her performance received mainly positive reviews from critics .{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/31999 |title=Mee Loaiybakee: Memorable Love |language=Divehi|work=Avas |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=10 April 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402162840/https://avas.mv/31999 |archivedate=2 April 2018 |accessdate=2 April 2018}} The film emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of 2017.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/28542 |title=2017: Is it a successful year for the film industry? |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=31 December 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326162251/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/28542 |archivedate=26 March 2018 |accessdate=26 March 2018}}
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)}} |
| 2000
!scope="row"| Kaiveneege Furathama Rey | Madheeha | |
| 2000
!scope="row"| Ajaaib | Mariyam | |
| 2001
!scope="row"|Dhumah Eri Thari | Herself | Special appearance |
| 2001
!scope="row"| Hiiy Edhenee | Suzy | |
| 2003
!scope="row"| Ginihila | Suweydha | |
| 2010
!scope="row"| Mi Hiyy Keekkuraanee? | Latheefa | Special appearance |
| 2015
!scope="row"| Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen | Dr. Aisha | Special appearance |
| 2016
!scope="row"| Vaashey Mashaa Ekee | Dr. Aisha | |
| 2017
!scope="row"| Mee Loaybakee | Dr. Aisha | |
| 2023
!scope="row"| Beeveema | Ainth | |
| 2024
!scope="row"|Dheydharu Ruin | Mother | |
=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)}} |
| 2000
!scope="row"| Reysham | Herself | Guest role; "Episode 9" |
| 2003
!scope="row"|Hiyy Edhey Raasthaa | | | |
| 2007
!scope="row"|Wafaatheri Nuvevunas | | | |
| 2021
!scope="row"|Rumi á Jannat | Shabana | Guest role; Episode: "Family Matters" |
| 2023–2024
!scope="row"|Yaaraa | Gulfa | Recurring role; 7 episodes |
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:21st-century Maldivian actresses