Ahmed Nimal

Ahmed Nimal is a Maldivian actor, director, editor, writer and producer.

Prior to acting in films, Nimal worked at Maldives Meteorological Service office.

His interest in films and acting grew due to the influence of his colleagues including Easa Shareef and other friends who actively take part in theatre plays.

Nimal made his career debut with Nufoozu (1984), an initiation by Shareef and his colleagues.

Initially assigned to work behind the camera, Shareef requested him to star in the lead role of the film due to a date conflict of the original actor who was offered the role first.

Afterwards, he started working as a full-time actor and led an organization "Dhivehi Harakaaiy Jamiyya" along with Shareef.

In 1993, Nimal wrote and directed his most successful release, a drama film, Sitee starring opposite his wife, Fathimath Rameeza.

Based on true incidents which occurred with a friend, the film focuses on a fisherman who later turns to be a successful businessman and his search for his father.

The film and the song "Mulhi Jaan Hithaa" are considered to be his most "dedicated work in his career" since the latter took a month to be filmed while shot in five different islands from five atolls.

In 2000, Nimal acted and directed year's most successful Maldivian film, a horror classic Zalzalaa (2000) featuring Niuma Mohamed, Ibrahim Wisan and Ali Shameel in pivotal roles.

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.

The following year, he worked in Aishath Ali Manik's Hiiy Edhenee (2001) which was an unofficial remake of Dharmesh Darshan's romantic film Dhadkan (2000) starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Shilpa Shetty in the lead role.

Cast opposite Ali Seezan and Sheela Najeeb, he played the role of an influential and cunning step-father.

His next directorial venture was the film Sababu starred opposite Ibrahim Giyas and Aishath Shiranee where he played the fiancé who sacrificed his love for the sake of his friend's happiness.

In 2005, Nimal starred alongside Niuma Mohamed, Ali Seezan and Sheereen Abdul Wahid in his horror film Handhu Keytha (2005) which unfolds the story of a man who was enchanted by a spirit while witnessing a lunar eclipse.

In the film, he played the

spell-maker trying to save his crush from the evil spirit.

In April 2006, his revenge thriller film, Hiyani was released which featured him as the traitorous husband, whose life is turns to a mess due to his frauds.

The film which primarily focuses on a wealthy troublesome couple whose possessions have been exposed by the disappearance of the husband, was mostly received positively by the critics.

He next released a romantic film Vaaloabi Engeynama (2006), starring Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Afeefa, Fathimath Fareela and Fauziyya Hassan in pivotal roles, was a critical and commercial success, considered to be the most successful Maldivian release of the year.

The film follows a conflicted husband struggling to convey equal affection towards his two spouses.

His work in the film garnered him a Gaumee Film Award as the Best Director, simultaneously winning the Best Film Award.

His erotic horror thriller Khalaas was released in 2008 which follows a newly married couple who relocate themselves to Sri Lanka.

Starring alongside Ali Seezan, Mariyam Afeefa and Nadhiya Hassan, Nimal played the role of Ismail, a friend of a perfidious husband who is unwillingly seduced by woman.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, specific appraisal being subjected to its bold and erotic theme.

He next appeared as the unsympathetic father in Fathimath Nahula's romantic drama film, Yoosuf which depicts the story of a deaf and mute man (played by Yoosuf Shafeeu) who has been mistreated by a wealthy family, mocking his disability.

Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik, Mohamed Manik, Fauziyya Hassan, Ravee Farooq, Zeenath Abbas and Ahmed Lais Asim, the film is considered to include most prominent faces in a Maldivian film.

Initially, Nimal was assigned to direct the film, however Nahula replaced him as the director since his role in the film was expanded and "his sole focus needs to be put into his performance".

The film received widespread critical acclaim and was attained a blockbuster status at box office.

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.

His performance earned him a Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Nimal played the deceitful friend in the family drama film E Dharifulhu (2009) which is directed by himself and featuring an ensemble cast including Niuma Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mohamed Manik and Sheela Najeeb.

At 1st Maldives Film Awards, Nimal received his first nomination as Best Director for his work in the film.

Another release of the year, Loaiybahtakaa (2009), written and directed by Yoosuf Shafeeu stars him as a notable businessman who struggles to welcome his illegitimate son into his family.

The romantic drama, co-starring Yoosuf Shafeeu, Fathimath Fareela and Mohamed Faisal, tells the story of unrequited love, and proved to be a commercial success.

Nimal's first release of 2010 was a special appearance in Ali Shifau's family drama Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa where he played and unnamed character who informs Dr. Nahees, played by Mohamed Manik about his wife's maternal death.

The film showcases discrimination against the islanders, family revenge and fatherhood responsibilities.

Being able to screen fifteen housefull shows of the film, it was declared to be a commercial success.

He next starred in the horror film Zalzalaa En'buri Aun (2010) which was edited, written, produced and directed by himself.