Roanu Hassan Manik

Roanu Hassan Manik (born 19 February 1958), is a widely acclaimed Maldivian film actor, who mainly works in the Maldivian film industry.

Early life On 11 November 1977, while working as a Headmaster at educational centre, Manik produced, choreographed and starred in a theatre play, Vamundhaa Goiyy alongside his students which narrates the discrimination of locals moving from atolls to Male'. Distributed through Television Maldives, Manik's talent was recognized by the producers and he was offered several films like Karudhaas Finifenmaa and Zaharu Dhin Ufaa which ultimately did not materialize. The film starring Mariyam Nisha, Reeko Moosa Manik and Mariyam Shakeela in lead roles, received positive reviews from critics. This was followed by the Yoosuf Rafeeu's comedy film Nibu, an unofficial remake of Gulzar's Bollywood comedy film Angoor (1982), which focuses on two pairs of identical twins separated at birth and how their lives go haywire when they meet in adulthood. The following year, he collaborated with the team of Vairoalhi Ahves Sirrun for Arifa Ibrahim's another romantic television drama series, Vaguthu Faaithu Nuvanees (2006) which consists of fifty episodes. Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Nimal, Fauziyya Hassan, Mohamed Manik, Ravee Farooq, Zeenath Abbas and Ahmed Lais Asim, the film received widespread critical acclaim and was attained a blockbuster status at box office.

Manik's first release of 2010 was Ali Seezan-directed family drama Maafeh Neiy alongside Seezan and Niuma Mohamed. The film highlights many social issues including human rights abuses, forced marriages and domestic violence. The film showcases discrimination against the islanders, family revenge and fatherhood responsibilities. He next starred alongside Aminath Rasheedha, Aishath Rishmy and Ahmed Azmeel in Rishmy's drama film Fanaa. Based on a novel published by Ibrahim Waheed titled Balgish, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics; Ali Naafiz from Haveeru Daily classified the film as the "worst Maldivian film released so far" during the year, criticing the performance of actors. 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. The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics and did good business at box office and was declared a "Hit". A "forgettable performance" of Manik was released with Hamid Ali's romantic family drama Laelaa alongside Amira Ismail and Yoosuf Shafeeu which was a critical and box office failure.

In 2012, Manik played a middle class father in Ravee Farooq-directed romantic drama film Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen alongside Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik and Ali Seezan. 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. His portrayal of Hassan in the film resulted in a Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. 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. 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 [Hassan Manik] who is one of the most accomplished actors in the industry".

In 2014, Manik appeared in the Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq-directed Hulhudhaan alongside Mariyam Majudha, which was a critical success. The film was later screened at the Venice Film Festival. His performance as Manik, an elderly man who was challenged by the harsh realities of his surroundings, received a positive response from the critics. The film was the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year, and was a commercial success. It was followed by Ali Seezan's action film Ahsham, where he played the role of Ibrahim, Maeesha's father. The film, made on a budget of MVR 1,500,000, was considered as the most expensive film made in the Maldives. The same year, he collaborated with Fathimath Nahula for 13 episodes television drama series, Umurah Salaan (2015) which centers on a squabble family which is separated due to the greed for money and misunderstandings.

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.

2018 was a dull year for Maldivian film-industry with regards to 2018 Maldivian presidential election. His only release of the year was the first Maldivian web-series, a romantic drama by Fathimath Nahula, Huvaa. The series consisting of sixty 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 series and his performance as a father of four children trying to bring peace into the family were positively received.

Filmography Feature film Year Title Role Notes 1980 Gellunu Furaavaru 2008 Yoosuf Yasir's friend 2011 14 Vileyrey 2012 Love Story Ahammad 2018 Reyvumun Bushree

Television Year Title Role Notes 1994Inthizaaru 2005 Kalaage Haqqugaa Anwar Recurring role 2006 Nethi Dhiyayas Anwar Main role; 5 episodes 2006–2007 Vaguthu Faaithu Nuvanees Waheed Recurring role; 50 episodes 2012 Kaiveni Firasha's father Main role; 5 episodes 2024 Dark Rain Chronicles Hashim Main role in the segment "Lafzu" 2024–2025 Roaleemay Haleem Main role; 15 episodes 2025 Hinthaa Azeez Main role; 10 episodes 2025 Moosun Faheem Recurring role; 4 episodes

Short film Year Title Role Notes 2007 Magey Dharifulhu Magistrate 2012 Dheke Dhekeves 6 Thakurufaanu 2020KKB: Kuda Kuda Baaru Hassan Manik 2020 Anguru Manik

Accolades Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2008 2nd Miadhu Crystal Award Best Father Vaguthu Faaithu Nuvanees 2011 1st Maldives Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award 2012 National Award of Recognition Performing Arts - Acting and theatre performance 2016 7th Gaumee Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen