Ali Seezan

Ali Seezan (born 6 February 1977) is a Maldivian film actor, producer, director and editor. He has established a career in Maldives Film Industry and is a recipient of several awards, including two Gaumee Film Awards, and two Maldives Film Awards.

Seezan's journey in the film industry began when he worked as an assistant director for the film Maazee (1997), where he continued to work behind the scenes for over a year. He made his acting debut in 2000 Vana Ufan Dhuvas (2000). His breakthrough came with the film Hiiy Edhenee (2001) for which he received a Gaumee Film Award for Best Actor. He was later noted for his portrayal of a delusional husband in Dharinnahtakai (2004) earning him another. Best Actor nomination. He also portrayed a sympathetic doctor in Zuleykha leading to a Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In 2005, Seezan ventured into working behind the camera while continuing his film appearances, by directing several short films including the action thriller Mission 24 (2006), the psychological thriller Ereyge Fahun (2006) and erotic thriller Kiss Jazbaath (2006), all of which were critical and commercial failure. However, this was followed by several commercial successes including his erotic thriller Khalaas (2008) and the melodrama Karuna Vee Beyvafa (2009). The year 2010 marked a successful period for Seezan with notable releases including the horror film Jinni, which earned him a Maldives Film Award nomination for Best Actor, the family drama Maafeh Neiy fetching him a Maldives Film Award nomination for Best Director nomination and his villainous role in Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa granted him a Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Following moderate success at box office with film including 14 Vileyrey (2011), Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen (2012), Love Story (2012), Seezan continued to experiment with various genres, including the action film Ahsham (2015) which earned him two Gaumee Film Award nominations, followed by the suspense thriller Vafaatheri Kehiveriya (2016), comedy film Naughty 40 (2017) and horror comedy 40+ (2019).

Early life Ali Seezan was born on 6 February 1977. His parents Fathimath Waheeda and Abdul Rasheed are not active members of the film industry, though his father has experience in organizing stage shows for various events related to showbiz. During his school years, he actively participated in Scout and Cadet activities. In his early years, he didn't show much interest in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, although he enjoyed making videos at home for leisure.

Career 1997–2009: Debut and early work Seezan's journey in the film industry began as an assistant director on the film Maazee (1997), and he continued working behind the scenes for over a year. Although 2000 Vana Ufan Dhuvas marked his debut film, he had already begun acting for Slam Studio's Ekaniveriya, which was released later. In the former, he played the role of Latheef, a suspicious friend who tragically loses his life while trying to save his best friend. Cast opposite Sheela Najeeb and Asad Shareef, Seezan played the role of Vishal Amir, a religious-minded man with strong principles who values and respects his wife's sensibilities. Upon release, the film received positive reviews from critics and proved to be a commercial success. He also appeared in Mohamed Rasheed's Hithu Vindhu (2002) as a handicapped artist who struggles to fulfill his marital duties due to his physical limitations.

Seezan collaborated with Easa Shareef for the horror film Ginihila (2003), in which he starred alongside Mariyam Nisha, Niuma Mohamed and Reeko Moosa Manik, playing the role of Mifzal Amir, a reserved husband who hides the truth of his extramarital affair with a psychopathic girl. 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. It was an unofficial remake of Vikram Bhatt's Indian horror film Raaz (2002) featuring Bipasha Basu, Dino Morea, Malini Sharma and Ashutosh Rana which itself is an unofficial adaptation of What Lies Beneath. The following year, he again worked with Easa Shareef for his action-adventure film Hatharu Udhares (2003) which received mixed to negative reviews from critics, where criticism was attributed for the post production of the film; more specifically for releasing a "half-baked" film. In the film, he played the role of an unfaithful boyfriend who becomes possessed by the spirit. He continued his collaboration with Fathimath Nahula in another critically acclaimed and commercially prosperous project, the romantic drama film Zuleykha (2005), which narrates the journey of a nine years old girl seeking the lost love of her mother. Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Nisha, Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik and Mariyam Enash Sinan, Seezan played the role of a sympathetic doctor, which fetched him a Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Thirty three houseful shows of the film were screened at the cinema making it the highest-grossing Maldivian release of the year.

Ahmed Nimal-directed erotic horror thriller Khalaas was released in 2008 which revolves around a newly married couple who move to Sri Lanka. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with specific attention given to its bold and erotic theme. The following year in 2009, he directed the melodrama film Karuna Vee Beyvafa (2009), in which he starred opposite Niuma and Nadhiya Hassan as a confused husband. Based on a true story that occurred on an island in Maldives, Seezan played the role of Javid, who falls in love with a girl and unwittingly becomes involved with a ghost created by his lover. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics, with many expressing that it evoked the "same old feeling" as previous horror flicks, although the performances were deemed satisfactory. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film garnered a positive response at the box office. At the 2nd Maldives Film Awards, Seezan received a nomination in the Best Actor category. The film highlights many social issues including human rights abuses, forced marriages and domestic violence. The film delves into themes of discrimination against islanders, family revenge, and fatherhood responsibilities. The film was considered a "significant improvement" compared to recent Maldivian films and enjoyed commercial success. For this role, he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2nd Maldives Film Awards and received a nomination for the Best Supporting Actor award at the 6th Gaumee Film Awards. He then reunited with Niuma Mohamed and Ravee Farooq in Amjad Ibrahim's romantic horror film Vakinuvinama which was a critical and commercial failure.

In 2011, Seezan featured in Ali Shifau's psychological romantic thriller Zaharu alongside Niuma Mohamed and Sheela Najeeb. The film revolves around 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 did good business at box office and was declared a "Hit".

His next release was a war action comedy film Wathan which is directed, written, edited and produced by himself. Upon release, it received negative response from critics. Seezan's last release of the year was Ahmed Azmeel's directorial debut Hiyy Yaara Dheefa (2011), in which he starred alongside Aishath Rishmy, Niuma Mohamed, Ahmed Azmeel and Aminath Rasheedha. The film received negative reviews from critics who pointed out similarities between Bollywood comedy-drama film Ishq (1997) and Kundan Shah's family drama Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002).

In 2012, Seezan starred in the Ravee Farooq-directed romantic drama film Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen, opposite Niuma Mohamed. Upon its release, the film received mixed responses from critics, although his performance was positively recognized. Ahmed Nadheem of Haveeru described the film as "the best Maldivian melodramatic film" he had seen in the past two years but expressed displeasure with its similarities to two Bollywood films. It was followed by Abdul Faththaah's romantic film Love Story alongside Amira Ismail and Aishath Rishmy. He portrayed the character of Althaf Shair, who falls in love with the island chief's daughter. The film and his performance received negative response from critics. Nadheem criticized his role, calling it an "exact replica" of what he had portrayed in his previous release, Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen. Displeased with the screenplay and performance of the actors, he wrote: "the actors were not given sufficient scope to develop their characters and that the film was marred by excessive emotional scenes and overacting. The story revolves around a murderer's attempt to evade guilt after the crime. Made on a budget of MVR 220,000, the film drew inspiration from Ryan Connolly's short psychological horror film Tell (2012), which is loosely based on the Edgar Allan Poe short story "The Tell-Tale Heart". Upon its release, the film received widespread critical acclaim. Hassan Naail from Vaguthu called it "one of the best Maldivian release to date" and praised Seezan's performance, considering it his career-best. The film went on to receive the bronze medal for Best Film at the 2015 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Film Festival, competing against seventeen regional films.

The following year, Seezan released his first film under his own banner S. Productions. Titled Ahsham, the film was made on a budget of MVR 1,500,000, making it one of the most expensive films in the Maldivian film industry. At the 8th Gaumee Film Awards, Seezan received six nominations including, Best Actor and Best Director, Best Editing, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. The film received a negative response from critics and was declared a flop. His next release was the romantic film Vafaatheri Kehiveriya, which he directed himself. The film received mixed to negative reception from critics. Ahmed Nadheem from Avas attributed part of the film's reception to its title, which may have given the impression of an "old typical" taste. Despite the mixed reviews, Seezan's portrayal of the character Fayaa was considered an "overall good" performance. The film revolves around three friends in their forties who maintain a youthful outlook on life despite being single. The film achieved both critical and commercial success and emerged as one of the highest-grossing Maldivian films of 2017. He reprised the role in the horror comedy film 40+ (2019), which served as a sequel to the 2017 released comedy film Naughty 40, which was well received both critically and commercially.

In 2020, Seezan starred alongside Aminath Rishfa and Sheela Najeeb in his romantic drama film Andhirikan, in which he portrayed a confused husband who leaves his wife when she is unable to conceive a baby.

2023–present: Further production ventures In 2023, Seezan released the erotic thriller Loabi Vevijje, directed he also directed. However, Seezan's performance in the film received mixed reviews from critics. Ahmed Nadheem from Dhauru criticized his acting range and wrote: "Seezan still seems to be stuck in his previous roles and avatars", while Aminath Luba reviewing from The Press opined that delivered the performance required for his role.

Media image In 2011, Seezan was selected in the top five as the "Most Entertaining Actor" in the SunFM Awards 2010, an award night ceremony initiated by Sun Media Group to honour the most recognized personalities in different fields, during the previous year. In 2018, he was ranked in the third position from Dho?'s list of Top Ten Actor of Maldives.

Filmography

Feature film

Television Year Title Role Notes 2004–2005 Loabi Nulibunas Imran Main role; 15 episodes 2020 Furabandhu Also the director and editorMain role; 5 episodes

Short film Year Title Role Notes 2006 Mission 24 Also the director 2006 Ereyge Fahun Dr. Fazal Also the director, editor and writer 2006 Kudafoolhuge Vasvaas Himself Special appearance 2006 Kiss Jazbaath Ahmed Jana Jaleel Also the director 2007 Handi Ganduvaru Dhonkamana Kamana's father Also the director, producer and writer 2007 Neena Shifau Also the director 2007 Thandi Rondi Thandi Rondi's boss 2007 Vigani Zila Also the director, producer and editor 2007 Fenu Paree Fenu Paree's father Special appearanceAlso the director, producer, writer and editor 2007 Fahu Sofha Ibrahim 2007 Handi Ganduvaru Dhonkamana 2½ Kamana's father Also the director, producer and editor 2007 Kandu Vigani Zila Also the director, producer and editor 2008 Prince of Madagaskara Imran Also the writer 2008 Paruvaanaa Seezan Special appearance 2009 Kafun Zila Also the director and editor 2009 Lhakoe Hamitte 2010 Keevvehey Vakivee Yaaraa? Faisal

Other work Year Title Director Producer Screenwriter Editor Notes 2006 Mission 24 Short film 2006 Ereyge Fahun Short film 2006 Kiss Jazbaath Short film 2007 Handi Ganduvaru Dhonkamana Short film 2007 Neena Short film 2007 Vigani Short film 2007 Fenu Paree Short film 2007 Paneeno Short film 2007 Handi Ganduvaru Dhonkamana 2½ Short film 2007 Kandu Vigani Short film 2008 Khalaas Feature film 2008 Just Friends Television series 2008 Prince of Madagaskara Short film 2009 Kafun Short film 2009 Karuna Vee Beyvafa Feature film 2009 Seedhibe Short film 2011 Wathan Feature film 2014 Insaana Feature film 2015 Ahsham Feature film 2016 Vafaatheri Kehiveriya Feature film 2019 Yes Sir Web series 2020 Andhirikan Feature film 2020 Furabandhu Television series; 5 episodes 2021 Naama Television series 2022 Dhoadhi Web series; 15 episodes 2023 Loabi Vevijje Feature film 2023 Kaushi Sinhala film 2025 Koss Gina Mistake Feature film

Discography

Accolades Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2007 3rd Gaumee Film Awards Best Actor Hiiy Edhenee Best Actor Ahsham