Ahmed Ziya

Ahmed Ziya (born 4 February 1981) is a Maldivian film actor, editor and director.

Career In 2002, Ziya played the love interest of an ill-treated outsider in Abdul Faththaah's Fahu Fiyavalhu. Afterwards, he played small roles in other television series including Faththaah's Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee and Amjad Ibrahim's Kamana Vareh Neiy. From 2007 to 2010, he mainly starred in short films in which several of them were directed by himself including Dhalhamathi, Nukandaa 2, The Boat, Keevvehey Vakivee Yaaraa? and Maafkuraashey Kalaa.

In 2011, he played a brief role in the Moomin Fuad-directed crime tragedy drama Loodhifa, which features an ensemble cast and deals with current social issues in the society told from different perspectives of the characters. Made on a budget of MVR 600,000, the film was declared a commercial failure though it received wide critical acclaim, praising the performance of cast and the film's "realism" in its language, characters and their attitude. Upon release the film received negative response from critics, where Haveeru Daily felt the film "deceived" the audience in the name of action thriller; "I highly doubt if the project team was even sure of what kind of movie they were planning to make. It is a total mess between a serious action movie and scoop comedy". He was next featured as a gang member in Yoosuf Shafeeu's action drama film Insaaf (2011) which revolves around the disputes between two districts of an island. Upon release, the film received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru was impressed with the editing by Ziya and Shafeeu, though he notes the former's performance as "strictly average".

In 2013, he starred in a small role in Hussain Munawwar's second direction, the revenge thriller film Dhilakani (2013) along with Ismail Rasheed, Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik, Mohamed Faisal and Aminath Rishfa. The film which deals with a man's tumultuous journey to seek vengeance and the demolition of family bond over a girl attracted negative reception from critics while Nadheem wrote: "Embraced with futile characters, impractical scenes and outdated music, the film problematic in each department".

Personal life Ziya married Sidhatha Shareef, former Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, on 21 February 2021.

Filmography Feature film Year Title Role Notes 2001 Aaah Junaid's friend Special appearance 2010 Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa Fairooz's agent Special appearance 2011 Loodhifa Jinatte

Television

Short film

Other work Year Title Director Camera Editor Notes 2007 Kudafoolhaai Paree Dhahtha Short film 2007 Foolhu Dhigu Handi 2 Short film 2007 Loabeegaa Dhon U Short film 2007 Dhalhamathi Short film 2007 Nukan'daa 2 Short film 2008 Loabin Hiyy Furenee Television series; 13 episodes 2008 The Boat Short film; co-directed with Ibrahim Wisan 2008 Kurafi Dhaadha Short film; co-edited with Ali Musthafa 2009 Baaraige Fas Feature film 2009 Fahun Rangalhuvaane 2 Short film 2010 Keevvehey Vakivee Yaaraa? Short film 2010 Maafkuraashey Kalaa Short film 2011 Insaaf Feature film; co-edited with Yoosuf Shafeeu 2012 Kaiveni Television series; 4 episodes 2012 Dhirumeh Nethas Television series; 5 episodes 2018 Reyvumun Feature film

Accolades Year Award Category Nominated work Result 20122nd Maldives Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Insaaf Best Editing Insaaf (Shared with Yoosuf Shafeeu)