Dark Rain Entertainment

{{Infobox company

|name = Dark Rain Entertainment

|image = Dark rain entertainment.jpg

|type = Private

|founder =

|key_people = Ali Shifau
Mohamed Ali

|industry = Entertainment

|products = Film production

|revenue =

|owner =

|website = [https://darkrainentertainment.com Dark Rain Entertainment]

|foundation = Dark Rain Entertainment

|location_city = Male'

|location_country = Maldives

}}

Dark Rain Entertainment is a Maldivian production company based in Male' producing Maldivian films. Established in 2006, the studio has produced the first Maldivian films shot entirely in HD, 3D and on DSLR.

History

The studio's first feature film production was Moomin Fuad's suspense thriller film Happy Birthday (2009) which narrates the story of a simple man who receives a call on his birthday informing him that his wife and son have been kidnapped, only to be returned for a ransom.{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/292986/ |title=The love for cinema from Moger |language=Divehi|work=Vaguthu |last=Hassan |first=Nazim |date=29 June 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615140410/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/292986/ |url-status=dead|archivedate=15 June 2016 |access-date=22 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}} The film was a commercial failure, despite the positive response from the critics. Winning five Gaumee Film Awards and twelve Maldives Film Awards, the film was also screened at the Venice Film Festival.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/5325 |title=Fuad regrets his involvement in Happy Birthay |language=Divehi |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=2 September 2016 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20181216105808/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/5325 |url-status=dead|archivedate=16 December 2018 |access-date=16 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}}{{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}}

The company then paced their production more into a commercial phase with the family drama Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa (2010) starring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Ali Seezan, Mohamed Manik and Ravee Farooq.{{cite news |url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv:80/?page=details&id=93295&category=ihUfinum |title=Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa to release on April 5 |language=Divehi |work=Haveeru |last=Naseer |first=Ismail |date=18 February 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221062847/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=93295&category=ihUfinum |url-status=dead|archivedate=21 February 2010 |access-date=22 September 2018 |df=dmy-all }} The film showcases discrimination against the islanders, family revenge and fatherhood responsibilities. It received a positive response from critics for adopting a "unique approach in presenting the concept to the romance-starved Maldivian audience" was particularly noted and was believed to be a "huge improvement" compared to the recent Maldivian films. Their next production venture was the psychological romantic thriller Zaharu (2011) starring Ali Seezan, Niuma Mohamed and Sheela Najeeb.{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/23701 |title=11 years anniversary for DRE; what did they achieve? |language=Divehi|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}} The film centers on a married man who has a weekend affair with a woman who refuses to allow it to end and becomes obsessed with him. The film was inspired from Adrian Lyne-directed American psychological erotic thriller film Fatal Attraction (1987). Upon release it received a mixed response from critics and was declared a "flop" at the box office.

In 2013, they released the horror film Fathis Handhuvaruge Feshun 3D which serves as a prequel to Fathis Handhuvaru (1997) starring Reeko Moosa Manik and Niuma Mohamed in lead roles. It was based on a story by Ibrahim Waheed, Jinaa: Fathis Handhuvaruge Feshun (2009), which itself is a prequel to the story Fathishandhuvaru (1996) written by himself which was later adapted to a film by the same name in 1997.{{cite news|url=https://www.addulive.com/2219 |title="Fathishandhuvaruge Feshun": Most awaited release of the year|language=Divehi|work=Addu Live |last=Faisal |first=Ibrahim |date=5 January 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919033325/https://www.addulive.com/2219 |url-status=dead|archivedate=19 September 2018 |access-date=19 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}} The film was marketed as being the first 3D release for a Maldivian film and the first release derived from a spin-off.{{cite news|url=http://haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/fathis_handhuvaruge_feshun_movie/126501 |title=Premier of "Fathishandhuvaruge Feshun" postponed again |language=Divehi|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed|date=7 November 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919034425/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/RonRE |url-status=dead|archivedate=19 September 2018 |access-date=19 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://vnews.mv/4094 |title="Fathis Handhuvaruge Feshun" is a disappointment |language=Divehi|work=Vnews |last=Zaina |first=Fathimath |date=18 April 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919051113/http://vnews.mv/4094 |url-status=live|archivedate=19 September 2018 |access-date=19 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}} Upon release the film received generally negative reviews from critics.{{cite news|url=http://haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/film_review/137114 |title="Fathis Handhuvaruge Feshun" review |language=Divehi|work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed|date=17 April 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919045055/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/0NRVW |url-status=dead|archivedate=19 September 2018 |access-date=19 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}} The following year, Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq wrote and directed Hulhudhaan featuring Mariyam Majudha and Roanu Hassan Manik which garnered critical success and was later screened at the Venice Film Festival.{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/562 |title="Hulhudhaan": A film that deserves many shows |language=Divehi|work=Avas |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=28 December 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328154747/https://avas.mv/562 |url-status=live|archivedate=28 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/532 |title=First and last show of "Hulhudhaan" to be screened tonight |language=Divehi|work=Avas |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=25 December 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328154100/https://avas.mv/532 |url-status=live|archivedate=28 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018}}

In 2015, the studio produced two films. Their first release was the Ali Shifau-directed romantic film Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen (2015) starring 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 |access-date=10 June 2016}} The film was declared as the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year, and was also 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 |access-date=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 |access-date=10 June 2016}} Ravee Farooq was roped in to direct the suspense thriller film Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey which stars Mohamed Manik and Aishath Rishmy in pivotal roles.{{cite web |url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/en/24524 |title=Ticket sales kick-off for "Mikoe Bappa Bae Bae" |publisher=Vaguthu |author=Reehan, Mohamed |date=9 August 2015 |access-date=8 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614182944/http://www.vaguthu.mv/en/24524 |archive-date=14 June 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vnews.mv/48730 |title=Dhivehi movie Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey released |publisher=vnews |author=Reehan, Mohamed | date=13 August 2015 | access-date=8 October 2012}} The film along with his direction and performances were critically acclaimed.{{cite web|url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/175743 |title=Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey: Ravi-Mahdi showed difference again |publisher=Haveeru Daily |author=Saeed, Asiyath Mohamed |language=Divehi|date=13 August 2015 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816010157/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/175743 |archivedate=16 August 2015 }} It was one of the three entries from the Maldives at the 2016 SAARC Film Festival.{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/423846/ |title=Three entries to SAARC Film Festival; No award |language=Divehi|publisher=Vaguthu |author=Ahmed, Jaishan |date=9 June 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615140918/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/423846/ |archivedate=15 June 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016}}

The company collaborated with Ali Shifau, Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Majudha for a romantic comedy film, Vaashey Mashaa Ekee (2016) which emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year.{{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 |access-date=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 |access-date=6 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/876 |title=Upcoming releases of the year|language=Divehi|publisher=Mihaaru |author=Adhushan, Ahmed |date=3 June 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606085206/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/876 |archivedate=6 June 2016 |access-date=6 June 2016}} The following year, the studio assigned Ali Shifau to release the romantic comedy film Mee Loaybakee (2017) starring Mohamed Jumayyil alongside 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 |access-date=26 March 2018}} The film emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of 2017.{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/36883 |title="Naughty 40": A mixture of all tastes |language=Divehi|work=Avas |last=Maaha |first=Aishath|date=6 August 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327033332/https://avas.mv/36883 |url-status=live|archivedate=27 March 2018 |access-date=27 March 2018 |df=dmy-all}}{{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 |access-date=26 March 2018}} This was followed by a family drama Vakin Loabin (2018), marking Shifau's fourth collaboration with Mohamed Jumayyil and his third collaboration with Mariyam Majudha.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/21770 |title=Shooting of "Vakin Loabin" commenced |language=Divehi|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=9 August 2017 |access-date=12 September 2018}} The film tells a story of a young couple's divorce and its impact on everyone involved.{{cite news |url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/26222 |title=Shooting of "Vakin Loabin" completed |language=Divehi |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=6 November 2017 |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-date=23 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523105441/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/26222 |url-status=dead }} Upon release, the film met with a positive response from critics, specifically praising the screenplay for toning down its melodrama and breaking from the stereotypes of its genre, and it was a commercial success.{{cite news|url=https://raajje.mv/news/27939 |title=Pre-premiere review of Vakin Loabin: A break apart from a genre of melodrama; A must watch |language=Divehi|work=Raajje.mv |last=Nasheed |first=Ismail Naail |date=4 March 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918062119/https://raajje.mv/news/27939 |url-status=live|archivedate=18 September 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}}

Films produced

=Feature film=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"

!scope="col" width="4%| Year

!scope="col" width="20%| Title

!scope="col" width="15%| Director(s)

!scope="col" width="22%| Producer(s)

!scope="col" width="38%| Cast

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}

2009

! scope="row" | Happy Birthday

| Moomin Fuad

| Mohamed Ali

| {{hlist|Yoosuf Shafeeu|Niuma Mohamed}}

| style="text-align: center;"|

2010

Dark Rain Entertainment

History

Films produced

=Feature film=

=Short film=

=Television=

References