Aishath Rishmy

Aishath Rishmy Rameez (born 15 November 1985) is a Maldivian actress, film producer and director.

She has established a career in Maldives Film Industry and is a recipient of several awards, including three Gaumee Film Awards, and two Maldives Film Awards.

Following her graduation from Centre for Higher Secondary Education, Rishmy made her official screen debut in Yaaraa Productions' debut album Yaaraa (2004), where she was featured in three songs; one of which she had penned the lyrics for.

Apart from starring in their second production venture Yaaraa 2 (2005), Rishmy took on directing and editing responsibilities for most of the songs.

Rishmy made her acting debut with Hukuru Vileyrey, which was based on a novel published by Ibrahim Waheed in Haveeru Daily three years prior.

In addition to her on-screen role, Rishmy served as the co-director of the film, collaborating with her mother, Rasheedha.

The film received both critical acclaim and commercial success.

Rishmy's performance, in particular, garnered praise from critics, with many highlighting a scene where she tears up a raw fish and commending her for her daring portrayal.

The film was recognized as "one of the few acceptable horror movies the Maldives film industry has ever produced".

For her portrayal of the character, Rishmy earned a nomination for Best Actress at the 5th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony.

The film was subsequently adapted into a 15-episode television series, featuring additional clips that were edited out during its theatrical release.

She made her acting debut in 2006 with Hukuru Vileyrey, a film she also co-directed.

Her performance fetched her a Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Actress.

She continued contributing to Maldivian cinema, co-directing and starring in Fanaa, which garnered her a Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actress and nomination for the Best Director.

Following this success, Rishmy collaborated on the series album Yaaraa 4 which was released in 2007.

Inspired by the Bollywood horror romantic thriller Darling (2007), the film's pre-production began in 2007, and it was shot in Sri Lanka.

The storyline revolves around a man who cheats on his wife with his secretary, leading to a haunting turn of events when he accidentally kills his mistress.

The film and her performance as a spirit received negative reviews from critics with one stating, "Rishmy did an average job; not bad and good either. Perhaps the director was unable to extract the best of her talent since they failed to develop her character well. The film performed poorly at the box office and was declared a flop. This was followed by another romantic horror film, 14 Vileyrey, directed by Abdul Faththaah and starring Ali Seezan with Mariyam Nisha. The film, written by Ibrahim Waheed, faced controversy when the team of Kuhveriakee Kaakuhey? accused Faththaah of "purloining the plot" of the latter. Despite the controversy, 14 Vileyrey and Rishmy's performance received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with some stating, "Rishmy is the scene-stealer of the movie.

In 2010, Yaaraa Productions released their second film, Fanaa—also directed by her—where she portrayed the character Mamdhooha, heavily influenced by her mother to the extent that she aspires to break free from life's constraints.

Based on a novel published by Waheed titled Balgish, the film garnered a mixed to negative response from critics.

Ali Naafiz from Haveeru Daily classified the film as the "worst Maldivian film released so far" during the year.

Rishmy's portrayal of her character faced criticism from Naafiz, who perceived her performance as "over-acting" and felt that she was "still immature for a role in a feature film".

However, other critics applauded Rishmy's performance, considering it worthy of a "standing ovation," despite expressing displeasure with the film's length.

At the 6th Gaumee Film Awards, she received the Best Supporting Actress award and the Best Costume Design award while also earning a nomination for Best Director.

Apart from featuring in two horror films of similar synopsis, Kuhveriakee Kaakuhey? (2011) and 14 Vileyrey (2011), Rishmy worked in romantic dramas including Hiyy Yaara Dheefa and Love Story, both earning her nominations for Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.

The following year, Rishmy first appeared in Aishath Ali Manik's romantic horror film Kuhveriakee Kaakuhey? (2011) opposite Ahmed Azmeel.

Her next release was Ahmed Azmeel's directorial debut, Hiyy Yaara Dheefa (2011), in which she starred alongside Ali Seezan, Niuma Mohamed, Ahmed Azmeel and Aminath Rasheedha.

However, it was her roles in psychological thrillers Insaana (2014), Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey (2015) and the crime thriller Vishka (2017) that marked a significant breakthrough in her career.

This could be her breakthrough performance since she has the star power to shine in a cast of established actors". The film performed well at the box office and was declared a hit. At the 2nd Maldives Film Awards, she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 14 Vileyrey. She next appeared in a brief role as a news presenter in Ali Seezan's war action comedy film Wathan, which received negative response from critics.

The latter fetched her a Gaumee Film Award for Best Actress and the Best Actress award during SAARC Film Festival 2017; marking the first international accolade for an actress from Maldives.

Following the critical appreciation, Rishmy played a "carefree and bold" wife in the web series Ehenas, a tortured woman in the television anthology Ruqyah, a domestically abused wife in the web anthology series Vihaali and a magician in the horror thriller web series Biruveri Vaahaka.

In 2023, she released her dream project Yaaraa, a fifty-episode romantic comedy web series.

Born in Malé, Maldives, Rishmy is the daughter of actor Aminath Rasheedha.

She is the elder sister of actress Mariyam Azza and together they reside in Vilingili since the early days when the island was designated as a satellite town of Male.

Rishmy completed her secondary education from Aminiya School and pursued her higher education from Centre for Higher Secondary Education.

Rishmy made a brief cameo appearance in the film Mithuru, along with Mariyam Azza, which was produced by her stepfather Ahmed Shiyam and co-starred with Rasheedha.

Despite her recognition for on-screen appearances, Rishmy harbors a stronger interest in the behind-the-scenes aspects.

In 2019, the Government of Maldives acknowledged her exceptional achievements by honoring her with the National Award of Special Achievement, specifically recognizing her International Award for Best Actress.

Born in Male', Rishmy is the daughter of the renowned actress Aminath Rasheedha and is heavily inspired by her mother's significant contribution to the industry.

After completing her education, Rishmy made her official screen debut in Yaaraa Productions' debut video song album Yaaraa, actively participating in the production process.