Chilhiya Moosa Manik

Moosa Manik commonly known as Chilhiya Moosa Manik (30 January 1940 – 24 August 2021) was a Maldivian film actor and writer.

Early life In 1977, while studying at Majeediyya School, Manik participated in the theatre play performed to celebrate the Golden jubilee of Majeediyya School.

Career Manik made his screen debut in 1982 with a Television Maldives production titled Ghaazee Bandaarain where he reprised the role of Viyazor, which he performed in his previous theatre plays. His "authentic" performance was appreciated by the critics and audiences which resulted in him receiving several film offers from producers. The following year, Manik starred alongside Hassan Afeef, Arifa Ibrahim, Lillian Saeed and Mariyam Haajara in Ibrahim Rasheed's family drama Dhevana An'bi, in which he played the role of an underprivileged senior citizen who changed the life of an ordinary man with his intellects and determination. He also appeared in a Television Maldives production, Fun Asaru (1996) which follows two women; one searching for her mother and one fighting cancer. This was followed by his brief role in Amjad Ibrahim's debut direction Huras (1996) which was developed with the sole intention of winning Gaumee Film Awards though it failed to garner any award at 2nd Gaumee Film Awards ceremony. The next year, Manik appeared alongside Hussain Sobah, Mariyam Nisha and Jamsheedha Ahmed as the father of an established actress who sacrifices her career for an underprivileged talented vocalist in Amjad Ibrahim's Loabeege Aniyaa. Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series Kahthiri was released in 1998, where he played the role of the chief of the district council advocating for the right of citizens and was credited as the writer of the series along with Fathimath Nahula and Ibrahim Rasheed.

In 2000, Manik starred alongside 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. Apart from playing the father of an emotionally immature wife in Amjad Ibrahim's comedy drama film, Majubooru Loabi (2000), he also featured as a wealthy businessman who marries a gold-digger in Aslam Rasheed's Shaalinee. Besides, he appeared in year's most successful Maldivian film, Ahmed Nimal's horror classic Zalzalaa, where he played the spiritual old man treating a man possessed by a female spirit assigned to complete an unfulfilled prophecy.

The following year, he starred in Ali Shameel's drama film Hithi Nimun (2001) opposite Mohamed Shavin, Mariyam Nisha and Sheereen Abdul Wahid, which follows the storyline of a stubborn young man who abandons his girlfriend when he discovers about her pregnancy.

In 2003, Manik played a supporting role in Imad Ismail-directed horror film Araamagu Dhonkamana (2003) which narrates the story of a woman spirit who rises from the sea and marries a toddy extractor, disguised as a human being. He also collaborated with Abdul Faththaah for his romantic disaster film, Hureemey Inthizaarugaa (2005) cast along with Ravee Farooq, Mariyam Zuhura, Waleedha Waleed, Ibrahim Jihad and Neena Saleem. The film, heavily relied on the effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on the Maldives, received favorable reviews from critics though it failed to perform financially.

Manik next appeared as a sorcerer in 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. The film was a critical and commercial success while being considered as "one of the few acceptable horror film the Maldivian Film Industry has ever produced". It was later released as 15 episodes television series with inclusion of several clips that were edited off while released in theatre.

In 2008, Manik appeared in a small role 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. Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Nimal, Fauziyya Hassan, Ravee Farooq, Zeenath Abbas and Ahmed Lais Asim, the film received widespread critical acclaim and attained blockbuster status at box office.

Filmography Feature film Year Title Role Notes 1982 Ghaazee Bandaarain Viyazor 1991 Loabeege Thoofan Himself Special appearance 1996 Badhal Moosa Manik 1998 Sirru Thaufeeq 2000 Ajaaib Iburey 2003 Araamagu Dhonkamana Mudhimbe 2004 Hama Himeyn Zahir 2005 Hureemey Inthizaarugaa Mannan

Television Year Title Role Notes 1994 Muhammad Rasul Allah Pharaoh Voice-over 1997–1999 Kahthiri Ahmed Manik Also the co-writerRecurring role; 10 episodes 2000Dharifulhu Teacher Television filmSpecial appearance 2002 Fahu Fiyavalhu Mizna's teacher Recurring role; 5 episodes 2003–2004 Vaisoori Various roles 3 segments; 16 episodes 2003–2004 Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee Saeed Recurring role; 9 episodes 2005–2006 Kuramey Vadhaaee Salaam Magistrate Guest role; "Episode 8"

Short film Year Title Role Notes 1996Kolhukehi Principal 2009 Pink Fairy Teacher

Accolades Year Award Category Nominated work Result 1983 National Award of Recognition Performing Arts - Theatre performance 2009 National Award of RecognitionPerforming Arts - Acting