Mohamed Manik

Mohamed Manik (15 October 1969) is a Maldivian film actor, director and makeup artist.

Career 2002–10: Critical acclaim and breakthrough Manik rose to fame and prominence in the television industry and was applauded for his performance in a dual role, Ahmed Ayaz and Mohamed Adheel, in the Abdul Faththaah-directed critically acclaimed television series, Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee (2003) which was considered as one of the best series production in television industry.

Fattah's horror film Eynaa was released in 2004, which appears Sheela Najeeb, 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. The film garnered critical appreciation specially for its technical department and was a commercial success. Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Nisha, Ali Seezan, Sheela Najeeb and Mariyam Enash Sinan, Manik played the role of a father who loses his only child, which fetched him a Gaumee Film Award nomination as the Best Supporting Actor while winning a Miadhu Crystal Award in the same category. This was followed by Amjad Ibrahim's romantic drama film Hithuge Edhun (2006) which narrates the story of a disabled man. 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 is considered to include most prominent faces in a Maldivian film. A total of forty five housefull shows were screened at Olympus Cinema before the film was leaked online, however the producers were able to screen five more shows at the cinema making it one of the Maldivian all-time highest grossing movies. The film was Maldivian official entry at 2009 SAARC Film Festivals and holds the privilege of being the opening movie of the festival. At 1st Maldives Film Awards, Manik received his first nomination as Best Actor for his performance in the film while winning the Best Makeup award for the same film.

Manik's first release of 2010 was Ali Shifau-directed family drama Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa where he played the role of Nahees, a caring and devoted father/doctor whose priority was to ensure the well-being of his only daughter. The film showcases discrimination against the islanders, family revenge and fatherhood responsibilities. He next starred opposite Sheela Najeeb and Yoosuf Shafeeu in Ahmed Nimal's horror film Zalzalaa En'buri Aun (2010). It was a spin-off to Aslam Rasheed's horror classic film Zalzalaa (2000) starring, Ibrahim Wisan, Ali Shameel and Niuma Mohamed.

He next starred in Niuma Mohamed's directorial debut drama film Niuma (2010) alongside an ensemble cast including Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Aminath Rasheedha and Abdulla Muaz. He played the role of Nizam, a pervert who sexually abuses his own younger sister. Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru wrote: "If another actor has played the role of Nizam, I can assure you that, the consistency and power will be missing from the performance. Manik has justified his character the best anyone ever can". He also worked as the makeup artist of the film. His work was praised by Ahmed Naif from Sun; "Manik deserves all approbation for his work to bring the required emotions and sentiments through makeup. The same year he directed a 4-episodes romantic television mini-series titled Thiya Loabeegai Abadhahme Vaanamey starring opposite Sheela Najeeb and Nadhiya Hassan.

2011–present: Experiment with different genres The following year Manik featured in a small role in Ali Shifau's psychological romantic thriller Zaharu (2011) alongside Ali Seezan, Niuma Mohamed and Sheela Najeeb. The film centers on a married man who has a weekend affair with a woman who refuses to allow it to end and becomes obsessed with him. A film about fatherhood and how he has been treated by his family, received negative reviews for its "typical stereotype style" and was a box office failure. The film revolves around the disputes between two districts of an island. Upon release, the film received mixed to positive reviews from critics while Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru praised the performance of Manik.

In 2012, Manik starred in Ravee Farooq-directed romantic drama film Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen opposite Niuma Mohamed. Upon release, the film received mixed response from critics while his performance was recognised positively. 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. It was followed by Abdul Fattah's romantic film Love Story alongside Ali Seezan, Amira Ismail and Aishath Rishmy. The film received negative response from critics. Displeased with the screenplay and performance of the actors, Ahmed Nadheem of Haveeru wrote: "None of the actors were given scope to build their characters and none was able to justify their character. With excessive emotional scenes, actors were exposed to over-acting and nothing more". The film deals with a man's tumultuous journey to seek vengeance and the demolition of family bond over a girl. He played a politician trying to end the bloodshed in the society. The film attracted negative reception from critics while Nadheem wrote: "Embraced with futile characters, impractical scenes and out-dated music, the film has problems in each department. Munawwar failed to extract the talent of actors like [Mohamed Manik] who is one of the most accomplished actors in the industry". At the 3rd Maldives Film Awards, Mohamed was nominated as the Best Actor and Makeup artist for his work in the film.

In 2015, Manik appeared in the Ali Shifau-directed romantic film Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen alongside Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Majudha. In a pre-premiere review from Vaguthu, Ismail Nail praised his acting skills along with that of Sheela Najeeb's. The film was the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year, and was a commercial success. Following this, he played the dual role of Ahmed Fazeel and Mohamed Saleem, a man who becomes afflicted with "Post Traumatic Amnesia", in the Ravee Farooq-directed film Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey opposite Aishath Rishmy. The film along with his performance was critically acclaimed. It was one of the three entries from the Maldives to the SAARC Film Festival in 2016.

In 2017, Manik featured in Ali Shifau-directed romantic comedy Mee Loaybakee alongside Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Azza. The film which is considered to include the largest cast in a Maldivian feature film, narrates the story of two ex-lovers sliding into the friend zone with the envy and diffidence they experience amidst a convoluted love-triangle. The film emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of 2017. He next featured alongside an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Fathimath Azifa, Ahmed Saeed and Ali Seezan in the romantic comedy film Naughty 40 which was directed by Shafeeu. The film revolves around three friends, Ashwanee, Ahsan and Ajwad (Played by Shafeeu, Saeed and Manik respectively) who are single and having a youthful outlook, in spite of being in their forties. The film met with both critical and commercial success, emerging as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of 2017. He reprised the role in the horror comedy film 40+ (2019), a sequel to 2017 released comedy film Naughty 40, which was well received both critically and commercially.

Media image In 2011, Manik was voted in the top three 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 fourth position from Dho?'s list of Top Ten Actor of Maldives.

Filmography Feature film

Television

Short film Year Title Role Notes 2006 Kudafoolhuge Vasvaas Himself Special appearanceAlso the director 2007 Kudafoolhaai Paree DhahthaParee Beybe Special appearance 2008 Ummeedh Farhad 2008 E Sirru Wafir 2010 Nu Ufan Dhari Anim 2010 Loabeege Ninja Lolhey 2010 Muhammaage Briefcase Mohamed Rasheed 2024 Eid Mubarak Himself

Other work

Accolades Year Award Category Nominated work Result 1996 Teledrama Awards - 1996 Best ActorVeyn 1997 Teledrama Awards - 1997 Best ActorLhafuraa 2007 1st Miadhu Crystal Awards Best Supporting Actor Zuleykha Best Makeup Zuleykha (Shared with Shareefa Fakhri) Best Supporting Actor Zuleykha 2011 1st Maldives Film Awards Best Actor E Dharifulhu Best Choreographer "Vindhu Hithaa" - E Dharifulhu