Fathimath Nahula

Fathimath Nahula (born 22 June 1973) is a Maldivian film director, film producer and screenwriter.

Early life In 1991, Nahula joined Jamaluddin school and worked as a teacher for four years.

Career 1998–2009: Early releases and Yoosuf She entered the film industry as an assistant director on Abdulla Sujau's Laila (1997), which was based on a story she had earlier written though the screenplay was developed with the help of director, Abdulla Sujau. During the year, she was received the National Award of Recognition in the area of screenwriting. Though her first two films were produced by different studios; Corona Arts and Dash Studio respectively, post Fahuneyvaa her next few releases were solely produced by Mapa. Her second directorial venture was Naaummeedhu (2000) which depicts the story of a happily married couple (Reeko Moosa Manik and Mariyam Nisha) whose life is shattered into pieces when they unintentionally invite a seductive woman (Jamsheedha Ahmed) into their life. Written by Fathimath Nahula, the story narrates the journey of a handicapped man who has been betrayed in love and unknowingly marries his brother's love interest. The film was a critical and commercial success. The following year, she released her third directorial venture; a romantic film Kalaayaanulaa (2003) which follows a happily married couple (Yoosuf Shafeeu and Aishath Shiranee) where the husband decided to marry his childhood best friend (Niuma Mohamed) when his wife fails to sexually please him.

The series of success were continued with her next release; a critically appreciated and commercially prosperous project, a romantic drama film Zuleykha (2005) which narrates the journey of a nine years old girl seeking the lost love of her mother. Thirty three houseful shows of the film were screened at the cinema making it the highest grossing Maldivian release of the year. The film, winning seven awards at 1st Maldives Film Awards, including Film of the Year (Viewer's Choice), Nahula was credited with a nomination as the Best Director. Her next directorial venture was the romantic drama film Soora (2008), directed along with Yoosuf Shafeeu.

2010–present: Expansion into film production Later in 2010, Nahula wrote and co-produced Yoosuf Shafeeu's Veeraana, a drama film that deals with child sexual abuse. Starring Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed and Amira Ismail the film received mixed to positive reviews from critics, praising the writer and director for touching a condemnatory topic though criticing its "over-the-top melodrama". Her next production was Ravee Farooq-directed romantic drama film Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen (2012), starring Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik and Ali Seezan. Upon release, the film received mixed response from critics while Ahmed Nadheem of Haveeru noted the film as "the best Maldivian melodramatic film" he had seen in the past two years, though displeased with its similarities between two Bollywood films. At 3rd Maldives Film Awards, Nahula received a nomination for Best Screenplay and Best Costume Design.

In 2016, Nahula yet again occupied the director's seat alongside Ahmed Sinan for the horror film 4426; a genre she has not explored before. Upon release, the film received mostly positive reviews from critics. Ahmed Nadheem of Avas labelled the film as a "masterpiece" and wrote: "Nahula has arranged the sequences of the scenes a tidy note giving the viewers no space for complains in the plot. The only are she lacks the expertise; technical department is a revelation in this film compared to her previous works". Ahmed Adhushan reviewing for Mihaaru credited the screenplay of the film as its "hero". "Nahula has proved the industry that she is capable to write stories beyond romance". With twenty five houseful shows being screened, 4426 was declared as the highest-grossing Maldivian film of the year.

2018 was a dull year for Maldivian film-industry with regards to 2018 Maldivian presidential election. Her only release of the year was the first Maldivian web-series, a romantic drama, Huvaa. The series consisting of eighty two episodes and streamed through the digital platform Baiskoafu, centers around a happy and radiant family which breaks into despairing pieces after a tragic incident that led to an unaccountable loss. The pilot episode was viewed by more than 16,000 users at the time of release and was declared to be a success.

Filmography Feature film Year Title Director Writer Editor Notes 1996 Fun Asaru 1997 Hinithun 1998 Fahuneyvaa 1999 Umurah 2000 Maazee 2012 Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen Nominated—Maldives Film Award for Best Screenplay 2025 Sorry 2026 Majunoon 2026 Gis

Short film Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes 2009 Bulhaa Dhombe Co-written with Binma Ibrahim Waheedh

Television