Ali Azim is a Maldivian film actor.
Career 2010–2016: Early releases Azim expressed his interest in acting at a very young age. Before he pursued a career in acting Azim worked as a dancer and stage performer. He was first recognized by the audience for his facial expressions while dancing. While working in the Animation Dance Group, the team made a short children's film Lollypop with "no serious intention but for entertainment". The film which features Azim in a "forgettable" role did not much help to accelerate his career. This was followed by Abdul Faththaah's 5 episodes drama series Kaiveni, starred opposite Mariyam Zuhura. In 2013, Azim starred in a small role as a gang member in Hussain Munawwar's second direction, revenge thriller film Dhilakani (2013) along with Ismail Rasheed, Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik, Mohamed Faisal and Aminath Rishfa. 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".
Azim made his official film debut in Abdul Faththaah's romantic drama Aadheys starring Niuma Mohamed, Hussain Sobah, Amira Ismail, Moosa Zakariyya and Fathimath Azifa in pivotal roles. Filming was completed in 2011, though it was released three years following the death of film producer Hassain Ali. It revolves around a sacrificing mother and her affection towards her child. Azim played the role of Fahud, only son of a wealthy family whose marriage has been disputed by his parents. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics and failed to leave an impression commercially. Ismail Naail reviewing from Vaguthu wrote: "Azim as a newcomer shines in the established cast". At the 8th Gaumee Film Awards he received a nomination for Best Male Debut nomination for his role in the film.
Mohamed Aboobakuru-directed Randhari was Azim's first release of 2015. His portrayal of the character Shahid, along with the film, received negative reviews from critics and the film performed below average at the box office. He was then seen in the Ali Shifau-directed romantic film Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen alongside Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Majudha. In a pre-premiere review from Vaguthu, Ismail Nail noted Azim's "upgrade" in acting skills when compared to his previous works. The film was the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year, and was a commercial success.
2017–present: Hahdhu, Dhevansoora and frequent collaborations Azim's first release of 2017 came in the Ali Musthafa-directed Malikaa which performed badly at the box office. He next featured alongside an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Saeed and Ali Seezan in the romantic comedy film Naughty 40 which was directed by Shafeeu. The film met with both critical and commercial success, emerging as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of 2017. He next appeared in Abdul Faththaah-directed film Hahdhu. Though the film met with mixed reviews, Azim was particularly praised for his portrayal of the character, Hamza, a religious saint. Aishath Maaha of Avas wrote: "Perceived as a negative character, his acting skill during the emotional scenes, definitely proved that he is a wonderful actor". Azim regarded his performance in the film as a breakthrough performance in his career, which led him being offered several film projects afterwards. The film proved to be another successful venture for Azim, becoming the third highest-grossing film of the year.
2018 was a dull year for Maldivian film-industry with regards to 2018 Maldivian presidential election, hence only one film of Faisal was released during the year; a suspense thriller film Dhevansoora (2018) written and directed by Yoosuf Shafeeu. The film marks Shafeeu's thirtieth direction and features an ensemble cast of twenty-one actors. Revolving around a murder investigating, Azim played a character with dissociative identity disorder and the accused murderer. The film received positive reviews from critics and was considered a "norm-breaker" of the Maldivian cinema. Ahmed Hameed Adam reviewing from VNews considered Azim's performance as "one of the best performances of the film"; "Seen as Shafeeu's imaginary self in his youth, each and every scene of Azim shine with his cinematic brilliance". Ismail Nail Rasheed from Raajje.mv wrote: He then starred in 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 the youngest sibling seeking vengeance for his deceased brother were positively received.
2019 was a successful year for Azim where he had multiple film releases. He first starred in Yoosuf Shafeeu's horror comedy film 40+ (2019), a sequel to 2017 released comedy film Naughty 40, which was well received both critically and commercially. Later during the year, the first Maldivian anthology film was released which featured him a victim of verbal and sexual abuse in the segment directed by Abdul Faththaah, titled Dharifiri . The project was shot in 2013 and digitally released six years later due to several delays in post-production. Their next collaboration, Nafrathuvumun (2019) played alongside Shafeeu, Mariyam Azza and Ahmed Easa revolves around a guesthouse, the only source of income for a woman who is convinced by several men to sell the property. Mariyam Waheedha from Miadhu picked his performance as the best from the cast. This was followed by another direction from Shafeeu, the romantic horror film Dhauvath (2019), which follows a happily married couple who goes on a honeymoon trip and the paranormal activities they experience due to black-magic. Mariyam Waheedha from Miadhu considers his performance to be the "usual good" though it lacks the "seriousness" which his character Razeen shall possess.
In 2022, Azim collaborated with Ahmed Nimal for three releases; the first is a family drama web series Lafuzu, starring opposite Mariyam Shifa, where he played the role of a one-sided lover. The team reunited for a mini web series titled Balgish, which narrates the life of an unfortunate child and the misfortunes which surround her. Apart from starring in a small role in Ali Seezan's web series Dhoadhi, he worked alongside an ensemble cast in the suspense thriller film Hehes (2022) by playing the role of an aspiring politician, which received mainly positive reviews from critics. His last release of the year was Aminath Rinaza and Ali Rasheed's web series Yasna, which narrates the story of two past lovers whose reunion is challenged by other commitments. The series received mixed to positive reviews, where the critics found the screenplay to be slow and dragging while the actors tried to give their best in an otherwise over the top melodrama.
In 2023, Azim played the role of a violent gang member in Ali Seezan's erotic thriller Loabi Vevijje, which follows a married man who becomes infatuated with a woman after a one-night stand. The film which was announced in 2019, but halted due to COVID-19 pandemic, opened to generally positive reviews from critics, where as his performance received mixed exceptionally good reviews from critics. Calling Azim's performance as her personal favorite performance from the film, Aminath Luba reviewing from The Press wrote: "Despite the minimal dialogues, Azim portrayed the character to its perfection; one which only him could justify". Similarly, Ahmed Nadheem from Dhauru applauded Azim for compensating "the bad acting from the rest of cast" with his brilliant portrayal of the character.
Personal life On 6 October 2019, Azim married Hawwa Jeena and they welcomes their first child on 5 December 2021.
Filmography
Feature films Year Title Role Notes 2013 Dhilakani Shamin's friend Special appearance 2014 Aadheys Fahud Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Male Debut 2015 Randhari Shahid 2015 Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen Shamin 2017 Malikaa Hassan 2017 Naughty 40 Hassan 2017 Hahdhu Hamza Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor 2017 Bos Abo 2018 Dhevansoora Hassan Shiyam Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor 2019 40+ Nadheem 2019 Nafrathuvumun Shamin 2019 Dhauvath Razeen 2019 Leena Huzam 2021Maryam Ihsaan 2022 Hehes Mubeen 2023Loabi Vevijje Haseeb 2023 Jokaru Joharu 2024Udhabaani 2 Shareef 2025 Koss Gina Mistake Fazeen 2026 Gilan Naveel 2026 Filming 2027 Filming
Television Year Title Role Notes 2012 Case 34 Shafeeq Teledrama 2012 Kaiveni Nawal Main role; 5 episodes 2016Bithufangi 2 2018 Lam FaisalMain role; 4 episodes 2018–2020 Huvaa Ganim Main role 2019 Gellunu Furaana Munthasir Main role; 4 episodes 2019–2021 Karu Hakuru Zack Main role 2019 Yes Sir Various characters Recurring role 2019 Hatharu Halha Ali In the segment Dharifiri 2020 Hanaa Yanaal Main role; 13 episodes 2020 Ehenas Himself Guest role; Episode: "Reality Check" 2020–2021Huvaa Kohfa Bunan Maaish Main role 2021Avahteriya Ibrahim Solih Main role; 9 episodes 2021Giridha Ayaaz Main role; 15 episodes 2022–2023 Lafuzu Akif Main role; 32 episodes 2022Dhoadhi Fazil Recurring role; 5 episodes 2022 Balgish Arham Main role; 5 episodes 2022 Yasna Fauzaan Main role; 15 episodes 2023 Hayyaru Reehan Main role; 15 episodes 2023Yaaraa Riyaasha's date Guest role; "Episode 5" 2024–2025Raiha Yaanih Main role; 12 episodes
Short film Year Title Role Notes 2010 Lollypop Mansoo Also the editor
Discography Year Album/Film Song Lyricist(s) Co-Artist(s) 2023 Loabi Vevijje "Loabi Vevijje" (Promo song) Mohamed Abdul Ghanee Abdullah Shafiu Ibrahim, Ali Seezan, Ahmed Nimal, Ahmed Easa, Mariyam Azza, Aminath Rishfa, Irufana Ibrahim
Accolades Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2017 8th Gaumee Film Awards Best Male Debut Aadheys 2019 9th Gaumee Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Hahdhu Dhevansoora Jury Special Prize - Outstanding Round Performance Hahdhu, Dhevansoora, Malikaa, Bos 2025 1st MSPA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor – Male Loabi Vevijje Best Negative Role Dhevansoora
References