Abdulla Muaz is a Maldivian film actor, editor and director.
Career Muaz made a brief appearance in Yoosuf Shafeeu directed horror film Edhathuru (2004) which revolves around eight friends who go on a picnic to a haunted uninhabited island and their battle for survival. The film garnered critical appreciation specially for its sound effect and was a commercial success.
Moomin Fuad and Ali Shifau's critically appreciated crime film Heylaa (2006) featured Muaz as a drug user. The film narrates the story of a fourteen years old ambitious boy who finds himself unknowingly being involved in smuggling of a revolver. It was the first Maldivian film to be shot in high-definition digital video. Though the film received positive reviews from critics, it was a commercial failure. Co-director of the film Shifau opined that its commercial status was a result of casting "not very prominent" faces in the film and the "film-goers were not ready to accept the genre" at the time of release. Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru praised the narration and plot of the film while calling his performance to be "strictly average". He next appeared as a man practicing the art of palmistry 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.
Muaz officially made his film debut in a leading role with Yoosuf Shafeeu-directed Hiyy Rohvaanulaa (2009) which features Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed and Nadhiya Hassan alongside him. The film follows a blind man who regains his eyesight but decides to fake his blindness to discover her wife's affair with another man. Muaz played the role of Vishal, a ruthless and determined man who is ready to go extreme extent to win back his first love. The film received favorable reviews from critics and was a commercial success.
The following year he starred in Niuma Mohamed's directorial debut drama film Niuma (2010) alongside an ensemble cast including Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik, Aminath Rasheedha and Ahmed Nimal. He played the tolerant boyfriend who was unaware that his girlfriend was being sexually abused by her father and brother. Upon release, the film met with widespread critical acclaim specifically complimenting the performance of actors and its dialogues. Being able to screen over thirty housefull shows of the film, it was declared a Mega-Hit at box office, and the highest grossing Maldivian release of the year. The film fetched him a Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and a nomination for Best Editing at 6th Gaumee Film Awards while winning in the same category at 1st Maldives Film Awards.
In 2013, Muaz starred opposite Ismail Rasheed in Ravee Farooq directed critically acclaimed experimental suspense thriller Ingili. It was based on fourteen years old Mohamed Hassaan's National Award-winning short story, Holhuasheege Ekuveriya. It celebrates the first Maldivian film to get recognized internationally by winning bronze medal in Best Feature Film category at SAARC Film Festival 2014 held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He received another Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor while winning a Maldives Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.
In 2016, he featured alongside Niuma Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu in Ibrahim Wisan's debut direction Vee Beyvafa which was shot in 2011. The film received a negative response from critics while Ahmed Adhushan of Mihaaru concluded his review calling the film "a step backward" in the progress of cinema.
Media image In 2018, he was ranked in the eighth position from Dho?'s list of Top Ten Actor of Maldives.
Filmography Feature film Year Title Role Notes 2004 Edhathuru Ahmed Special appearance 2006 Hukuru Vileyrey Zaid 2006 Heylaa Ayya 2009 Hiyy Rohvaanulaa Vishal Maldives Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor 2010 Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa Himself Special appearance in the song "Annaashey Hinithun Velamaa" 2010 Niuma Shiyaz Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor 2013 Ingili Ammadey Nominated—Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting ActorMaldives Film Award for Best Supporting Actor 2016 Vee Beyvafa Huzam 2019 Leena Ali Zuhoor Also the director and editor
Television Year Title Role Notes 2003 Ujaalaa Raasthaa Asim Recurring role; 6 episodes 2004 Vaisoori Shiyaz In the segment "An'dhiri Hayaaiy" 2005Baiveriyaa Naseeh Recurring role; 4 episodes 2020 Huvaa Azim Main role 2022Biruveri Vaahaka Akram Main role; Episode "Loabiverin" 2024Yaaraa Himself Guest role; "Episode 49"
Short film Year Title Role Notes 2006Vasvaas 1 Ali Also the co-writer 2006Haa Shaviyani Rasgefaanu 2006Haa Shaviyani Rasgefaanu 2 2007Badi Edhuru Mohamed Suheil 2010 Loabeege Ninja Presenter Special appearance
Other work Year Title Director Editor Notes 2006 Dheke Dhekeves 4 Short film 2007 Farihibe 1 Short film 2008 Farihibe 2 Short film 2008 Faqeeru Koe Short film 2010 Muhammaage Briefcase Short film 2011 Farihibe 3 Short film 2011 Siyaasee Vaccine Short film 2012 13 Ah Visnaa Dhehaas Short film 2013Siyaasee Koalhun Short film 2013Farihibe 4 Short film 2016Dhekey goiy Office drama 2019Leena Feature film 2021Hatharu Manzaru Segment "Ruqyah" 2024 Kamanaa Feature film 2025 Imthihaan Web series; 10 episodes 2025 Kan'bulo Feature film
Discography Year Album/Film Track Co-artist(s) 2019 Leena"Mee Ishq Hey" Solo
Accolades Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2011 1st Maldives Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Hiyy Rohvaanulaa Best Choreographer "Haa Ufaa" - Hiyy Rohvaanulaa(Shared with Yoosuf Shafeeu) 2012 2nd Maldives Film Awards Best Editing Niuma Best Director - Short film Siyaasee Vaccine 2014 3rd Maldives Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Ingili Best Director - Short film Farihibe 4 13 Ah Visnaa Dhehaas Siyaasee Koalhun Best Editor - Short film Siyaasee Koalhun Farihibe 4 2015 6th Gaumee Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Niuma Best Editing Niuma 2016 7th Gaumee Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Ingili 2017 8th Gaumee Film Awards Best Director - Short film Farihibe 4 Best Editing - Short film Farihibe 4 Farihibe 3 2023 3rd Karnataka International Film Festival Best Director – Short Film Ruqyah
References