Zeenath Abbas

Zeenath made her screen debut with the song "Edheythee Reethi Moona" alongside Reeko Moosa Manik.{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/31881 |title=Who is the Best Actress? |work=Dho? |language=dv |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=26 February 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181130062716/https://dho.mv/baiscope/31881 |url-status=live |archive-date=30 November 2018 |access-date=30 November 2018|df=dmy-all}} Her first film release was Mohamed Rasheed directed drama film Kuhveriya (1998) starred opposite Moosa Zakariyya. Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series Kahthiri was released the following year, where she played the role of a spoiled daughter living in a congested housing complex, dealing with several social issues.{{cite news |url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/62237 |title=Where are all the drama series? |language=dv |work=Dho? |last=Ali |first=Ifraz |date=1 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028162243/https://dho.mv/baiscope/62237 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020}} This was followed by the Ali Musthafa-directed Umurah (1999) as a nurse opposite Jamsheedha Ahmed and Reeko Moosa Manik .{{cite news |url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv:80/dhivehi/entertainment/117464 |title=Top 10 Actresses in Malives |language=dv |work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=23 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305014312/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/entertainment/117464 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 March 2012 |access-date=26 November 2018 }}

Amjad Ibrahim-directed Ainbehge Loabi Firiehge Vaajib, starring Abbas, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Jamsheedha Ahmed, Arifa Ibrahim and Niuma Mohamed was released in 2000.{{cite news|url=https://en.sun.mv/41378 |title=Amjay honored with Lifetime Achievement Award |work=Sun |date=22 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116063339/https://en.sun.mv/41378 |url-status=live |archive-date=16 November 2018 |access-date=16 November 2018|df=dmy-all}} The film revolves around a woman who has been mistreated by her step-mother and forced into a marriage she disapproves.{{cite news|url=https://psmnews.mv/21026 |title=Amjay's contribution in the industry is recommended |work=PSMNews |language=dv |date=4 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116064411/https://psmnews.mv/21026 |url-status=live |archive-date=16 November 2018 |access-date=15 November 2018|df=dmy-all}} Abbas played the role of Lillian, an indolent daughter who ill-treats her own mother. She rose to widespread prominence in the television industry and was applauded for her performance as the cunning wife and a nurse, in the Abdul Faththaah-directed critically acclaimed television series, Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee (2003) which was considered one of the best series productions in television industry.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/76438 |title=Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee streaming on Baiskoaf |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200820163636/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/76438 |url-status=live|archive-date=20 August 2020 |access-date=20 August 2020 |df=dmy-all}}

Zeenath next starred as an obsessive and heartbroken lover of an established actor in Amjad Ibrahim's next directorial venture Sandhuravirey 2 (2004); a sequel to his 2002 horror film Sandhuravirey which presented Yoosuf Shafeeu and Mariyam Nisha in lead roles. Starring additional cast including Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Shavin and Sheereen Abdul Wahid, the film follows a storyline of a daughter jinn avenging the death of its mother and sister on Dhiyash's family. Similar to its prequel, the film received negative response from critics.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12282|title=A festival of Amjey's films to be organized |language=dv|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=30 January 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181222115546/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/12282 |url-status=live |archive-date=22 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}}

Moomin Fuad and Ali Shifau's critically appreciated crime film Heylaa (2006) featured Zeenath as a drug addict.{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/44005 |title=Fuad regrets his involvement in Happy Birthday |language=dv |work=Dho? |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190117060811/https://dho.mv/baiscope/44005 |url-status=live |archive-date=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=dv |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190117062603/http://inaamu.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=177&wid=1343 |url-status=live |archive-date=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 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181005134413/https://dho.mv/baiscope/23701 |url-status=dead |archive-date=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=dv |work=Haveeru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=4 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216101531/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/DZ2eg |url-status=dead |archive-date=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=dv |work=Sun |last=Luba |first=Aminath |date=8 August 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190117060200/https://www.sun.mv/109020 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 January 2019 |access-date=16 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}} Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru praised the narration and plot of the film while criticizing the performance of Zeenath as the worst from the cast.{{cite news|url=https://archive.mv/dv/articles/X9owd |title=Heylaa: An awakening film from a drowsed industry |language=dv |work=Haveeru |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=29 March 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190117062120/https://archive.mv/dv/articles/X9owd |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 January 2019 |access-date=16 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}} Although her performance received poor reviews, she was nominated as the Best Actress at 5th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony. At the same ceremony, she was nominated as the Best Supporting Actress in the romantic horror film 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=dv|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=dv|publisher=Avas |author=Nadheem, Ahmed |date=30 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603155311/https://avas.mv/17899 |archive-date=3 June 2016 |access-date=3 June 2016}} The film was a critical and commercial success while being considered "one of the few acceptable horror films 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=dv |work=Dho? |last=Rasheed |first=Nurah |date=8 February 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190118061450/https://dho.mv/style/30663 |url-status=live |archive-date=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=dv|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=dv |work=VNews |last=Shaneeza |first=Mariyam |date=11 September 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190118061727/http://vnews.mv/103080 |url-status=live |archive-date=18 January 2019 |access-date=18 January 2019 |df=dmy-all}} This was followed by Amjad Ibrahim's romantic drama film Hithuge Edhun (2006) which narrates the story of a disabled man where she played a guest role of a lady being publicly humiliated.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/33272 |title=A new teaser of "Thiya Loaibaa Dhurah" released |language=dv|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=24 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328101423/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/33272 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 March 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018 |df=dmy-all}}

In 2008, Zeenath appeared in Fathimath Nahula's romantic drama film, Yoosuf which depicts the story of a deaf and mute man (played by Yoosuf Shafeeu) who has been mistreated by a wealthy family, mocking his disability.{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/46477 |title=Audience never getting bored of Nahula's style |work=Dho? |language=dv |last=Ali |first=Ifraz |date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190112154658/https://dho.mv/baiscope/46477 |url-status=live |archive-date=12 January 2019 |access-date=12 January 2019 |df=dmy-all}} Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Nimal, Mohamed Manik, Fauziyya Hassan, Ravee Farooq and Ahmed Lais Asim, the film is considered to include most prominent faces in a Maldivian film. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was attained a blockbuster status at box office.{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/7801 |title=Nahula Vs Tedry: Who among the two brought a revelation to Maldivian Cinema? |work=Avas |language=dv |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908184812/https://avas.mv/7801 |url-status=live |archive-date=8 September 2015 |access-date=3 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}} A total of forty five housefull shows were screened at Olympus Cinema before the film was leaked online, however the producers were able to screen five more shows at the cinema making it one of the Maldivian all-time highest-grossing movies.{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/24768 |title=Nahula at her peak; aiming for 50 shows |work=Avas |language=dv |last=Nadheem |first=Ahmed |date=1 October 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181203081713/https://avas.mv/24768 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 December 2018 |access-date=3 December 2018 |df=dmy-all}} The film was Maldivian official entry at 2009 SAARC Film Festivals and holds the privilege of being the opening movie of the festival.{{cite news|url=http://inaamu.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=177&wid=186 |title=Gaumee Inaam 2009 - Fathimath Nahula |work=Presidency Maldives |language=dv |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181203081921/http://inaamu.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=177&wid=186 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 December 2018 |access-date=3 December 2018|df=dmy-all}}

In 2010, Abbas starred alongside Aminath Rasheedha, Aishath Rishmy and Ahmed Azmeel in Rishmy's drama film Fanaa.{{cite news |url=http://www.haveeru.com.mv/entertainment/3102 |title=Fanaa: Proof of Yaaraa's immaturity |language=dv |work=Haveeru |last=Nafiz |first=Ali |date=15 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718092407/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=dates&date=2010-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2010 |access-date=18 July 2010 |df=dmy-all }} Based on a novel published by Ibrahim Waheed titled Balgish, she played the villainous role. Upon release, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics; Ali Naafiz from Haveeru Daily classified the film as the "worst Maldivian film released so far" during the year, criticing the performance of actors. However, other critics found the performance of Abbas to be "satisfactory in her evil role".

In 2015, Abbas appeared in Ali Seezan's action film Ahsham.{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/318703/ |title=60% of the film is completed |language=dv |publisher=Vaguthu |author=Mohamed, Ibrahim |date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622072125/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/318703/ |archive-date=22 June 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016}} Though the film received mixed reviews from critics, her performance in a negative shade was widely acclaimed.{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/10139 |title=Ahsham: 5 stars for Seezan's spirit |language=dv |publisher=Avas |author=Ahmed, Nadheem |date=11 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618072410/https://avas.mv/10139 |archive-date=18 June 2016 |access-date=18 June 2016}} The film, made on a budget of MVR 1,500,000, was considered the most expensive film made in the Maldives. It was one of the three entries from the Maldives to the SAARC Film Festival in 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/423846/ |title=Three entries to SAARC Film Festival; No award |language=dv |publisher=Vaguthu |author=Ahmed, Jaishan |date=9 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615140918/http://www.vaguthu.mv/evaguthu/423846/ |archive-date=15 June 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016}}

The following year, Abbas collaborated with Seezan to star in his romantic film Vafaatheri Kehiveriya (2016).{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/16116 |title="Vafaatheriya Kehiveriya" is almost complete: Seezan |language=dv|publisher=Avas |author=Maahaa, Aishath|date=9 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609121943/https://avas.mv/16116 |archive-date=9 June 2016 |access-date=9 June 2016}} The film received a mixed to negative reception from critics. Nadheem blamed the title of the film for giving the impression of "old typical" to the film.{{cite news|url=https://avas.mv/18132 |title="Vafaatheriya Kehiveriya" is not bad: Here is the reason behind its failure |language=dv|publisher=Avas |author=Nadheem, Ahmed |date=5 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606082514/https://avas.mv/18132 |archive-date=6 June 2016 |access-date=6 June 2016}} Her performance as Ainthu, a rich tycoon, was considered "too simple" for her "caliber". The same year, she featured alongside Niuma Mohamed and 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=dv|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=30 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330140232/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/9672 |url-status=live |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018 |df=dmy-all}} The film received negative response from critics where 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=dv|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=30 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330140908/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/9748 |url-status=live |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018 |df=dmy-all}} At the 8th Gaumee Film Awards Abbas was bestowed with the Best Supporting Actress award for Ahsham and was nominated for her performance in Vee Beyvafa in the same category. She was announced as a nominee for the Best Makeup artist for Ahsham.

Her first release of 2019 was the Moomin Fuad-directed psychological horror thriller Nivairoalhi (2019) which marks Niuma Mohamed's last onscreen film.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/48037 |title=Nivairoalhi released with a surprise |language=dv|work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328111609/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/25449|url-status=live |archive-date=28 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |df=dmy-all}} Revolving around a patient suffering from depression, Abbas played a small role in the film.{{cite news|url=https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/42980 |title=Nivaroalhi yet again to be released in 2019 |language=dv |work=Mihaaru |last=Adhushan |first=Ahmed |date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190109111317/https://mihaaru.com/entertainment/42980 |url-status=live |archive-date=9 January 2019 |access-date=8 January 2019 |df=dmy-all}}

Starring opposite Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu and Ahmed Asim, the film received majorly positive reviews from critics; Aishath Maaha of Dho? favored the performance of the lead actors and mentioned the "neat arrangement" of its screenplay though pointed out its "weak ending" to be unsatisfactory.{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/48258 |title=Nivaroalhi Review: Its heartbreaking to say Good Bye |language=dv |work=Mihaaru |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190207141326/https://dho.mv/baiscope/48258 |url-status=live |archive-date=7 February 2019 |access-date=7 February 2019 |df=dmy-all}}

In 2018, Abbas was ranked in the third position from Dho?'s list of Top Ten Actresses of Maldives where writer Aishath Maaha opined that she is the perfect "villain" of the industry though Abbas can pull off soft and calm characters too.{{cite news|url=https://dho.mv/baiscope/31881 |title=Top 10 Actresses; who is the best? |language=dv |work=Dho? |last=Maaha |first=Aishath |date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102160256/https://dho.mv/baiscope/31881 |url-status=live |archive-date=2 November 2020 |access-date=2 November 2020}}

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Category:Living people

Category:Maldivian film actresses

Category:1978 births

Category:Actresses from Malé