Chilhiya Moosa Manik

Moosa Manik commonly known as Chilhiya Moosa Manik (30 January 1940 – 24 August 2021) was a Maldivian film actor and writer.

In 1977, while studying at Majeediyya School, Manik participated in the theatre play performed to celebrate the Golden jubilee of Majeediyya School.

He then joined several other theatre performances as a hobby though his first priority lies in sketching and drawing, followed by writing.

His most notable performance as a theatre artist includes his role as Viyazor; the administrative chief of the Portuguese kingdom who invaded and ruled over Maldives.

Manik made his screen debut in 1982 with a Television Maldives production titled Ghaazee Bandaarain where he reprised the role of Viyazor, which he performed in his previous theatre plays.

One of the earliest releases in Maldivian cinema, the film narrates the invasion of Portuguese in Maldives and the re-capturing of Malé by Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam.

His "authentic" performance was appreciated by the critics and audiences which resulted in him receiving several film offers from producers.

His work as a theatre performer was appreciated by the government of Maldives and he was bestowed with the National Award of Recognition in 1983.

In 1993, he appeared in Ibrahim Rasheed-directed film Beyvafaa where he played the role of a concerned father who disowns his son with regard to his decision to marry a blind orphan.

In his next release, Ahmed Nimal's Sitee, Manik portrayed a character who adopts an orphan and assists him in the search for his father.

The following year, Manik starred alongside Hassan Afeef, Arifa Ibrahim, Lillian Saeed and Mariyam Haajara in Ibrahim Rasheed's family drama Dhevana An'bi, in which he played the role of an underprivileged senior citizen who changed the life of an ordinary man with his intellects and determination..

The film revolves around a couple who gets separated due to social discrimination initiated by a cunning mother-in-law.

Hamid Ali's Badhal was released in 1996, in which he starred alongside Ali, Hussain Sobah and Niuma Mohamed as a wealthy businessman who is being duped in a series of events caused due to a misunderstanding by a "non-existent" twin.

He also appeared in a Television Maldives production, Fun Asaru (1996) which follows two women; one searching for her mother and one fighting cancer.

This was followed by his brief role in Amjad Ibrahim's debut direction Huras (1996) which was developed with the sole intention of winning Gaumee Film Awards though it failed to garner any award at 2nd Gaumee Film Awards ceremony.

The next year, Manik appeared alongside Hussain Sobah, Mariyam Nisha and Jamsheedha Ahmed as the father of an established actress who sacrifices her career for an underprivileged talented vocalist in Amjad Ibrahim's Loabeege Aniyaa.

Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series Kahthiri was released in 1998, where he played the role of the chief of the district council advocating for the right of citizens and was credited as the writer of the series along with Fathimath Nahula and Ibrahim Rasheed.

In 2000, Manik starred alongside Ahmed Asim, Mariyam Nazima, Koyya Hassan Manik and Waleedha Waleed in Haajara Abdul Kareem-directed Ajaaib which depicts the relationship of two exemplary wives and their respective families regardless of societal norms.

Apart from playing the father of an emotionally immature wife in Amjad Ibrahim's comedy drama film, Majubooru Loabi (2000), he also featured as a wealthy businessman who marries a gold-digger in Aslam Rasheed's Shaalinee.

Besides, he appeared in year's most successful Maldivian film, Ahmed Nimal's horror classic Zalzalaa, where he played the spiritual old man treating a man possessed by a female spirit assigned to complete an unfulfilled prophecy.

The following year, he 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.

In 2003, Manik played a supporting role in Imad Ismail-directed horror film Araamagu Dhonkamana (2003) which narrates the story of a woman spirit who rises from the sea and marries a toddy extractor, disguised as a human being.

Apart from playing the calm and genuine father in Abdul Faththaah-directed critically acclaimed television series, Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee (2003), Manik appeared in Fathimath Nahula's critically and commercially successful romantic drama television series, Kalaage Haqqugaa.

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.

Manik played the father of Reena, who has been traumatized by the events that lead to a big loss in her family.

He also collaborated with Abdul Faththaah for his romantic disaster film, Hureemey Inthizaarugaa (2005) cast along with Ravee Farooq, Mariyam Zuhura, Waleedha Waleed, Ibrahim Jihad and Neena Saleem.

Manik next appeared as a sorcerer in Hukuru Vileyrey (2006), co-directed by Aishath Rishmy and Aminath Rasheedha which was based on a novel published by Ibrahim Waheed on Haveeru Daily in 2003.

The film was a critical and commercial success while being considered as "one of the few acceptable horror film the Maldivian Film Industry has ever produced".

It was later released as 15 episodes television series with inclusion of several clips that were edited off while released in theatre.

In 2008, Manik appeared in a small role 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, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Nimal, Fauziyya Hassan, Ravee Farooq, Zeenath Abbas and Ahmed Lais Asim, the film received widespread critical acclaim and attained blockbuster status at box office.