Dark Rain Entertainment

Company type| Private
Industry| Entertainment
Founded| Dark Rain Entertainment
Headquarters|

Male'

Maldives

Key people

| Ali Shifau
Mohamed Ali
Products| Film production
Website| Dark Rain Entertainment

Dark Rain Entertainment is a Maldivian production company based in Male' producing Maldivian films. Established in 2006, the studio has produced the first Maldivian films shot entirely in HD, 3D and on DSLR.

## History[edit]

The studio's first feature film production was Moomin Fuad's suspense thriller film Happy Birthday (2009) which narrates the story of a simple man who receives a call on his birthday informing him that his wife and son have been kidnapped, only to be returned for a ransom.[1] The film was a commercial failure, despite the positive response from the critics.[1] Winning five Gaumee Film Awards and twelve Maldives Film Awards, the film was also screened at the Venice Film Festival.[2][3]

The company then paced their production more into a commercial phase with the family drama Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa (2010) starring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Ali Seezan, Mohamed Manik and Ravee Farooq.[4] The film showcases discrimination against the islanders, family revenge and fatherhood responsibilities.[4] It received a positive response from critics for adopting a "unique approach in presenting the concept to the romance-starved Maldivian audience" was particularly noted and was believed to be a "huge improvement" compared to the recent Maldivian films.[1] Their next production venture was the psychological romantic thriller Zaharu (2011) starring Ali Seezan, Niuma Mohamed and Sheela Najeeb.[5] The film centers on a married man who has a weekend affair with a woman who refuses to allow it to end and becomes obsessed with him.[5] The film was inspired from Adrian Lyne-directed American psychological erotic thriller film Fatal Attraction (1987).[5] Upon release it received a mixed response from critics and was declared a "flop" at the box office.[1]

In 2013, they released the horror film Fathis Handhuvaruge Feshun 3D which serves as a prequel to Fathis Handhuvaru (1997) starring Reeko Moosa Manik and Niuma Mohamed in lead roles. It was based on a story by Ibrahim Waheed, Jinaa: Fathis Handhuvaruge Feshun (2009), which itself is a prequel to the story Fathishandhuvaru (1996) written by himself which was later adapted to a film by the same name in 1997.[6] The film was marketed as being the first 3D release for a Maldivian film and the first release derived from a spin-off.[7][8] Upon release the film received generally negative reviews from critics.[9] The following year, Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq wrote and directed Hulhudhaan featuring Mariyam Majudha and Roanu Hassan Manik which garnered critical success and was later screened at the Venice Film Festival.[10][11]

In 2015, the studio produced two films. Their first release was the Ali Shifau-directed romantic film Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen (2015) starring Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Majudha.[12] The film was declared as the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year, and was also a critical success.[13][14] Ravee Farooq was roped in to direct the suspense thriller film Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey which stars Mohamed Manik and Aishath Rishmy in pivotal roles.[15][16] The film along with his direction and performances were critically acclaimed.[17] It was one of the three entries from the Maldives at the 2016 SAARC Film Festival.[18]

The company collaborated with Ali Shifau, Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Majudha for a romantic comedy film, Vaashey Mashaa Ekee (2016) which emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian film of the year.[19][20][21] The following year, the studio assigned Ali Shifau to release the romantic comedy film Mee Loaybakee (2017) starring Mohamed Jumayyil alongside Mariyam Azza.[22] The film emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of 2017.[23][24] This was followed by a family drama Vakin Loabin (2018), marking Shifau's fourth collaboration with Mohamed Jumayyil and his third collaboration with Mariyam Majudha.[25] The film tells a story of a young couple's divorce and its impact on everyone involved.[26] Upon release, the film met with a positive response from critics, specifically praising the screenplay for toning down its melodrama and breaking from the stereotypes of its genre, and it was a commercial success.[27]

## Films produced[edit]

### Feature film[edit]

Year  | Title  | Director(s)  | Producer(s)  | Cast  | Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|

2009  | Happy Birthday | Moomin Fuad | Mohamed Ali  |

* Yoosuf Shafeeu
* Niuma Mohamed

| [1]
2010  | Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali  |

* Yoosuf Shafeeu
* Niuma Mohamed
* Ali Seezan
* Mohamed Manik
* Ravee Farooq

| [4]
2011  | Zaharu | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali  |

* Ali Seezan
* Niuma Mohamed
* Sheela Najeeb

| [5]
2013  | Fathis Handhuvaruge Feshun 3D | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali  |

* Yoosuf Shafeeu
* Fathimath Fareela
* Ahmed Nimal
* Ahmed Saeed

| [9]
2014  | Hulhudhaan | Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq  | Mohamed Ali  |

* Mariyam Majudha
* Roanu Hassan Manik
* Ravee Farooq
* Ahmed Saeed

| [10]
2015  | Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen | Ali Shifau |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

* Mohamed Jumayyil
* Mariyam Majudha
* Mohamed Manik
* Sheela Najeeb

| [14]
2015  | Mikoe Bappa Baey Baey | Ravee Farooq | Mohamed Ali  |

* Mohamed Manik
* Aishath Rishmy

| [15]
2016  | Vaashey Mashaa Ekee | Ali Shifau |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

* Mohamed Jumayyil
* Mariyam Majudha
* Mohamed Faisal
* Ali Shazleem
* Aminath Noora

| [20]
2017  | Mee Loaybakee | Ali Shifau |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

* Mohamed Jumayyil
* Mariyam Azza
* Samahath Razi

| [22]
2018  | Vakin Loabin | Ali Shifau |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

* Mohamed Jumayyil
* Mariyam Majudha
* Nuzuhath Shuaib

| [27]
2019  | Goh Raalhu | Ahmed Sinan |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

* Mohamed Jumayyil
* Nuzuhath Shuaib
* Hassan Irfan
* Aishath Thasneema
* Aminath Rashfa

| [28]
2019  | Maamui | Ali Shifau |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

* Sheela Najeeb
* Mohamed Jumayyil
* Mariyam Azza
* Mariyam Majudha
* Nuzuhath Shuaib

| [29]
2023  | Beeveema | Ahmed Zareer |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

| Mariyam Ashfa, Ismail Rasheed, Aminath Rashfa, Adam Zidhan  | [30]
2023  | Hindhukolheh | Ali Shifau |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

| Sharaf Abdulla, Aminath Rashfa, Ravee Farooq, Mariyam Majudha | [31]
2023  | November | Ali Shifau
Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq  |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

| Mohamed Jumayyil, Mariyam Majudha | [32]
TBA | Balhindhu | Ahmed Sinan |

* Mohamed Ali
* Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq

| Ali Azim, Aminath Rashfa, Mariyam Majudha, Nuzuhath Shuaib, Sharaf Abdulla, Ismail Jumaih | [33]

### Short film[edit]

Year  | Title  | Director(s)  | Producer(s)  | Cast  | Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|

2007  | Badi Edhuru | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali  | Ismail Rasheed, Abdulla Muaz, Ibrahim Jihad, Ravee Farooq, Aishath Siyadha, Nadhiya Hassan | [34]
2008  | Ummeedh | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali  | Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Asim, Ibrahim Jihad, Hamdhoon Farooq, Sheela Najeeb | [35]
2012  | Voodoo | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali  | Ahmed Nashith, Ahmed Rifau, Umar Ashfaq, Ahmed Hafiz, Shifra Ilham, Abdulla Naseer  | [5]
2014  | Kashfu | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali  | Ibrahim Jihad, Fathimath Fareela, Ahmed Saeed | [5]
2020  | Dhauvathu | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali
Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq  | Hoodh Ibrahim, Mariyam Shifa, Ahmed Sunie  | [36]
2020  | Anguru | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Ali
Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq  | Aminath Silna, Roanu Hassan Manik | [36]
2021  | Gulhun | Aishath Fuad Thaufeeq  | Mohamed Ali  | Aminath Shamana, Abdullah Shafiu Ibrahim, Aishath Rishmy, Ravee Farooq, Aminath Rashfa | [37]

### Television[edit]

Year  | Title  | Director(s)  | Cast  | Notes  | Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|

2006  | Dhafaraa | Moomin Fuad | Ismail Rasheed, Liraru, Azwaru, Mariyam Rasheedha  | 13 episodes  | [5]
2007  | Reyfanaa | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Manik, Niuma Mohamed, Ismail Rasheed, Roanu Hassan Manik, Fauziyya Hassan | 14 episodes  | [5]
2008  | Inthihaa | Moomin Fuad | Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik, Sheela Najeeb | 13 episodes  | [5]
2008  | Yaasmeen | Moomin Fuad | Mohamed Manik, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Saeed, Ahmed Nimal | 5 episodes  | [5]
2008  | FB! | Ahmed Saeed | Ahmed Saeed, Ahmed Nimal, Fathimath Azifa, Ibrahim Jihad, Ahmed Asim, Ahmed Ziya | 5 episodes  | [5]
2008  | Asarugaa | Ali Shifau | Hamdhoon Farooq, Aminath Ameela, Roanu Hassan Manik, Aminath Shareef | 5 episodes  | [5]
2009  | Silsilaa | Ali Shifau | Ahmed Asim, Fathimath Azifa, Khadheeja Ibrahim Didi, Nashmee, Hamdhoon Farooq | 5 episodes  | [5]
2011  | Naamaan | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Manik, Niuma Mohamed, Ahmed Saeed, Mohamed Faisal | 4 episodes  | [5]
2021  | Rumi á Jannat | Ali Shifau
Mohamed Faisal | Abdullah Shafiu Ibrahim, Nuzuhath Shuaib, Mohamed Faisal, Adam Rizwee, Roanu Hassan Manik, Maria Teresa Pagano, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Saeed | Web series; 15 episodes  | [38]
2021  | Giritee Loabi | Ali Shifau | Mohamed Vishal, Aminath Rashfa, Mohamed Manik, Mohamed Faisal, Adam Rizwee | Web series; 20 episodes  | [39]
2022  | Dark Rain Chronicles | Ali Shifau | Adam Rizwee, Sharaf Abdulla, Ahmed Sunie, Aishath Yaadha, Ismail Rasheed, Fathimath Sara Adam, Mohamed Vishal, Ahmed Saeed, Aminath Aseela, Ali Shameel, Ahmed Shakir, Ahmed Sharif | Web series; 6 episodes  | [40]

## References[edit]

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*[TBA]: To be announced