Mariyam Nisha

Mariyam Nisha (born 19 May 1979) is a Maldivian actress.

Early life Mariyam Nisha was born on 19 May 1979 in Dh. Rinbudhoo. She recalls her childhood days as a "Disturbing chapter" of life where she had to refrain from enjoying time with friends due to a skin problem.

Career 1994–1999: Early releases and Haqqu At the age of fourteen, Nisha made her screen debut with the music video "Gendhanyaa Gendhavaashey" alongside Malik Mohamed. Featured in a television programme titled Mahrabu, the song was well received, topping several charts during the time of its release.

Nisha played the role of Hana Shareef, a young girl who has attracted two brothers, in Hussain Adil's comedy drama film Dhehithehge Loabi (1995) alongside Abdul Rahman Rauf and Ahmed Sharmeel. The same year, she starred in the family drama Manzil which follows an intelligent and hardworking orphan, played by Aishath Shiranee, whose life turns a dramatic change while working as a servant in a reputed family. The following year, she starred as a pampered child of a family trapped in a lie, in Hamid Ali's drama film Mila Handhuvaru (1998). She next starred as a hyper-active girl in Amjad Ibrahim's comedy drama film Qurbaani (1999) starring opposite Yoosuf Shafeeu and Hussain Sobah. She next starred opposite Hussain Sobah and Jamsheedha Ahmed in Fathimath Nahula's debut direction Fahuneyvaa (2000) which portrays the love-conflict of a man between a prominent stage performer and a deaf-mute poor girl. Nisha played the role of Fazeela, a deaf-mute girl and the wife who was abandoned for a rich and famous girl. Her performance and the film was critically appreciated by critics and was a Hit commercially by screening twenty six housefull shows at cinema.

2000–05: Multiple releases and Zuleykha In 2000, she played the role of Sofi, an unsympathetic young woman who mistreats her own mother and has an extra-marital affair with a womanizer in Abdul Faththaah's directorial debut, Himeyn Dhuniye which received positive reviews from critics. Besides, Nisha played the emotionally immature wife opposite Yoosuf Shafeeu in Amjad Ibrahim's comedy drama film, Majubooru Loabi (2000).

Nisha starred as Zeyna, an acquiescent wife in Fathimath Nahula's drama film Naaummeedhu (2000) which depicts the story of a happily married couple whose life is shattered into pieces when they unintentionally invite a seductive woman into their life. The film receiving favorable reviews from critics was able to screen twenty eight houseful shows at Olympus Cinema, making it the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year. 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. She next worked with Amjad Ibrahim for his horror film Sandhuravirey (2002) which narrates the story of a female jinn aiming to win the heart of a human being.

Nisha collaborated with Easa Shareef for a horror film Ginihila (2003) alongside Ali Seezan, Niuma Mohamed and Reeko Moosa Manik, playing the role of Sajuna, the forbearing wife who is pursued by a spirit and discovers her husband's extramarital affair with a psychopath 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. The film is 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.

Abdul Faththaah's horror film Eynaa was released in 2004, which appears Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Shah, Khadheeja Ibrahim Didi, Ibrahim Jihad and Nashidha Mohamed as six colleagues who go on a picnic to a haunted uninhabited island and their battle for survival. She played the pregnant wife of Nihan which was portrayed by Manik. The film garnered critical appreciation especially for its technical department and was a commercial success. Nisha reprised her role as Shafqa and Yaasha in Amjad Ibrahim's next directorial venture Sandhuravirey 2 (2004); a sequel to his 2002 horror film Sandhuravirey. Thirty three housefull shows of the film were screened at the cinema making it the highest grossing Maldivian release of the year.

2008–11: 14 Vileyrey and career breaks In 2009, Nisha collaborated with Amjad Ibrahim for his horror film Baaraige Fas, cast alongside Hussain Sobah, Amira Ismail, Ali Shameel, Mariyam Shakeela and Ahmed Azmeel.

In 2011 Nisha played the role of Shaira, an irresponsible sister who hides her husband's dirty secret, in the Moomin Fuad-directed crime tragedy drama Loodhifa. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film 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. The film and her performance received mixed to positive reviews from critics; "Apart from her over-girly dialogue delivery at the beginning of the movie, she did a great job with the passing of the movie with countless expressions and acting skill". The film did good business at box office and was declared a "Hit".

Media image In 2012, Nisha was ranked at the first position in the list of "Best Actresses in Maldives" compiled by Haveeru, where writer Ahmed Nadheem opined that Nisha is capable to "overshadow any actress with her presence".

Filmography

Feature film Year Title Role Notes 1995 Dhehithehge Loabi Hana Shareef 2004 Sandhuravirey 2 Yaasha / Shafqa 1999 Maafkuraashey Mary Main role; 3 episodes 2006–2008Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa Zubeydha Recurring role; 7 episodes 2024 Badhalu Raushan's mother Main role in the segment "The End of Us" 2025 Loaiybahtakaa Mihad's sister Recurring role; 2 episodes

Short film Year Title Role Notes2004 Keymaatu Sanpaa 2008 No Money Full Beggy Herself Special appearance in the song "Kathilee Reethi Nazarekey"

Other work Year Title Writer Screenplay Notes 2007 Tarzan Children's short film

Accolades Year Award Category Nominated work Result 1996 2nd Gaumee Film Awards Best Actress Haqqu