Neena Saleem

Neena Saleem is a Maldivian actress.

Career In 1996, Saleem made a brief appearance in Yoosuf Rafeeu's award winning film Haqqu as a friend of Lamha, a promiscuous woman who falls in love with a married man. Starring alongside Mohamed Shavin, Jamsheedha Ahmed, Sheela Najeeb and Niuma Mohamed, the series centers on unrequited love and complications of a relationship within and beyond marriage. The following year, Saleem played role of a college lecturer, in Hussain Adil's romance Hiyy Halaaku (2000) alongside Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed and Sheela Najeeb. The plot combines two love triangles set years apart. The first half covers friends on a college campus, while the second tells the story of a widower's young daughter who tries to reunite her dad with his old friend. The film was an unofficial remake of Karan Johar's romantic drama film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji in the lead role. Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series Kahthiri was released during the same year, where she played the role of the indolent wife, living in a congested housing complex while dealing with several social issues.

Amjad Ibrahim-directed Ainbehge Loabi Firiehge Vaajib, starring Saleem, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Jamsheedha Ahmed, Arifa Ibrahim and Niuma Mohamed was released in 2000. The film revolves around a woman who has been mistreated by her step-mother and forced into a marriage she disapproves. The film follows a man who lost his life and endangering his whole family while being lured by a female spirit sent off to complete an unfulfilled prophecy. She again worked with Amjad Ibrahim for his comedy drama film Qurbaani (1999) starring opposite Yoosuf Shafeeu and Mariyam Nisha.

She next 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.

Saleem collaborated with Amjad Ibrahim for his romantic horror film Dhonkamana (2003) which depicts the romantic relationship between a young man (played by Yoosuf Shafeeu) and an old woman (played by Fauziyya Hassan). Featuring Hassan, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Niuma Mohamed, Sheereen Abdul Wahid, Amira Ismail and Aminath Rasheedha, the film received mainly negative reviews from critics though its inclusion of the theme portraying the relationship between a couple with a large age group was appraised. Upon release, the film opened to positive response from critics and was a commercially successful project. She was applauded for her performance as the short-tempered and diligent wife, 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.

Saleem reprised her role as Jauza in Amjad Ibrahim's next directorial venture Sandhuravirey 2 (2004); a sequel to his 2002 horror film Sandhuravirey. In the film, she played the caring nurse who helps her friend dealing with the horrific incidences. 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. 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 widespread critical acclaim. In 2013, she starred in a small role as a sonographer in Hussain Munawwar's second direction, revenge thriller film Dhilakani (2013). The film deals with a man's tumultuous journey to seek vengeance and the demolition of family bond over a girl.

Saleem's only release of 2017 was Ali Musthafa-directed Malikaa which did not do well at the box office.

Media image In 2012, Saleem was ranked at the third position in the list of "Best Actresses in Maldives" compiled by Haveeru, where writer Ahmed Nadheem opined that she is the perfect choice for the role of a "vile woman" as portrayed in projects like Kahthiri.

Filmography Feature film

Short film