Ali Seezan

Seezan's journey in the film industry began as an assistant director on the film Maazee (1997), and he continued working behind the scenes for over a year.[2] During this time, he decided to pursue a career in the film industry.[1] With the help of actress Mariyam Nazima—a classmate of his elder sister—he made his first on-screen appearance in a video created to celebrate the 200th episode of Heyyambo (1998).[1] He later appeared in three songs; first of them being "Neena" which was sung by Abdul Hannan Moosa Didi.[1][2] Seezan committed to acting professionally and took on a supporting role in Easa Shareef's horror film 2000 Vana Ufan Dhuvas (2000).[2] Although 2000 Vana Ufan Dhuvas marked his debut film, he had already begun acting for Slam Studio's Ekaniveriya, which was released later. In the former, he played the role of Latheef, a suspicious friend who tragically loses his life while trying to save his best friend.[2]

In 2001, Seezan received significant acclaim for his role in Aishath Ali Manik's Hiiy Edhenee (2001) which was an unofficial remake of Dharmesh Darshan's romantic film Dhadkan (2000) starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Shilpa Shetty in the lead role.[3] Cast opposite Sheela Najeeb and Asad Shareef, Seezan played the role of Vishal Amir, a religious-minded man with strong principles who values and respects his wife's sensibilities.[2] The film proved to be a breakthrough for Seezan's career, earning him the Best Actor award at the 3rd Gaumee Film Awards ceremony.[1] Following this success, he starred in IAbdul Faththaah-directed Aan... Aharenves Loabivin (2002), alongside Sheela Najeeb, Niuma Mohamed, Aminath Rasheedha and Neena Saleem. In the film, he played the character of Jina, a photographer who is compelled to feign a romantic relationship to assist his ex-lover, who is suffering from amnesia.[4] Upon release, the film received positive reviews from critics and proved to be a commercial success.[5] He also appeared in Mohamed Rasheed's Hithu Vindhu (2002) as a handicapped artist who struggles to fulfill his marital duties due to his physical limitations.[6]

Seezan collaborated with Easa Shareef for the horror film Ginihila (2003), in which he starred alongside Mariyam Nisha, Niuma Mohamed and Reeko Moosa Manik, playing the role of Mifzal Amir, a reserved husband who hides the truth of his extramarital affair with a psychopathic girl.[7][8] The film narrates the story of a young couple who decided to spend a romantic break to save their crumbling marriage and how events take a sinister turn when the wife experiences supernatural incidence which has her husband involvement in it.[7] It was an unofficial remake of Vikram Bhatt's Indian horror film Raaz (2002) featuring Bipasha Basu, Dino Morea, Malini Sharma and Ashutosh Rana which itself is an unofficial adaptation of What Lies Beneath.[9] The following year, he again worked with Easa Shareef for his action-adventure film Hatharu Udhares (2003) which received mixed to negative reviews from critics, where criticism was attributed for the post production of the film; more specifically for releasing a "half-baked" film.[10] This was followed by his collaboration with Ahmed Nimal on two projects; Dharinnahtakai and Hama Himeyn. Seezan received his second Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Actor for the former, for his portrayal of the character Shahid, a delusional husband who abandons his wife for another woman.[11] In the latter, he portrayed a husband married to an emotionally immature wife, which received mixed to negative reviews from critics and did average business at box office.[12]

In 2005, Seezan starred alongside Niuma Mohamed and Sheereen Abdul Wahid in Ahmed Nimal's horror film Handhu Keytha (2005), which unfolds the story of a man enchanted by a spirit during a lunar eclipse.[13] In the film, he played the role of an unfaithful boyfriend who becomes possessed by the spirit.[13] He made his first collaboration with Fathimath Nahula in the critically and commercially successful romantic drama television series, Kalaage Haqqugaa (2005), where he portrayed the character of Hassan, the elder brother of non-identical twins who tragically dies when the boat he is traveling in capsizes into the sea.[14][15] He continued his collaboration with Fathimath Nahula in another critically acclaimed and commercially prosperous project, the romantic drama film Zuleykha (2005), which narrates the journey of a nine years old girl seeking the lost love of her mother.[16] Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Nisha, Sheela Najeeb, Mohamed Manik and Mariyam Enash Sinan, Seezan played the role of a sympathetic doctor, which fetched him a Gaumee Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.[17][11][18] Thirty three houseful shows of the film were screened at the cinema making it the highest-grossing Maldivian release of the year.[19]

Ahmed Nimal-directed erotic horror thriller Khalaas was released in 2008 which revolves around a newly married couple who move to Sri Lanka.[1] Starring opposite Mariyam Afeefa and Nadhiya Hassan, Seezan played the role of Fayaa, deceitful husband who becomes entangled with a woman who is later revealed to be deceased.[20] The film received mixed reviews from critics, with specific attention given to its bold and erotic theme.[20] The song "Haadha Dhahivethi Belumekey"–performed by Seezan alongside Mariyam Unoosha–from the film fetched him the Best Choreographer award at 1st Maldives Film Awards.[21] The following year in 2009, he directed the melodrama film Karuna Vee Beyvafa (2009), in which he starred opposite Niuma and Nadhiya Hassan as a confused husband.[1] The film depicts the decline of a once-happy married couple as they discover the wife's infertility and the subsequent deterioration of their relationship due to the arrival of a second wife.[1]

Seezan's first release of 2010 was Abdul Faththaah's horror film Jinni, in which he starred alongside Mariyam Afeefa.[22] Based on a true story that occurred on an island in Maldives, Seezan played the role of Javid, who falls in love with a girl and unwittingly becomes involved with a ghost created by his lover. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics, with many expressing that it evoked the "same old feeling" as previous horror flicks, although the performances were deemed satisfactory. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film garnered a positive response at the box office.[23] At the 2nd Maldives Film Awards, Seezan received a nomination in the Best Actor category.[21] He next appeared in the family drama Maafeh Neiy alongside Niuma Mohamed, which was directed and produced by himself.[24] The film highlights many social issues including human rights abuses, forced marriages and domestic violence.[24] He played the role of Nawaal who is killed by necromancy for marrying a woman without her parents' consent.[24] The film received mixed reviews from critics, majority of them dismissing its melodrama and was a moderate success at the box office.[21]

Seezan performing at 2nd Maldives Film Awards ceremony, 2012

In his next film release of the year, a family drama by Ali Shifau titled Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa (2010), Seezan took on the role of Fairooz, a brazen manager seeking vengeance for his father's dismissal from the company.[25] The film delves into themes of discrimination against islanders, family revenge, and fatherhood responsibilities.[25] The film received positive response from critics, with particular praise for Seezan's performance in his villainous role. Critics noted that the scenes featuring the character Fairooz, enhanced by relevant background music, were among the best of their kind in Maldivian cinema.[26] The film was considered a "significant improvement" compared to recent Maldivian films and enjoyed commercial success.[26][27] For this role, he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2nd Maldives Film Awards and received a nomination for the Best Supporting Actor award at the 6th Gaumee Film Awards.[28][29] He then reunited with Niuma Mohamed and Ravee Farooq in Amjad Ibrahim's romantic horror film Vakinuvinama which was a critical and commercial failure.[30]

In 2011, Seezan featured in Ali Shifau's psychological romantic thriller Zaharu alongside Niuma Mohamed and Sheela Najeeb.[31] The film revolves around a married man who has a weekend affair with a woman who refuses to allow it to end and becomes obsessed with him.[31] He played the role of Hussain, an interior designer who has an extramarital affair with a long-lost friend.[31] The film is inspired by Adrian Lyne-directed American psychological erotic thriller film Fatal Attraction (1987).[31] Upon its release, the film received mixed response from critics and was declared a flop at box office.[27] He then starred opposite Aishath Rishmy and Mariyam Nisha, in Abdul Faththaah-directed 14 Vileyrey. Written by Ibrahim Waheed, the film faced controversy when the team of Kuhveriakee Kaakuhey? accused Fatthah of "purloining the plot" of the latter.[32] The film and his performance received mixed to positive reviews from critics; "Seezan handles the aggressive parts as well as the depression sequences with ease".[33] The film did good business at box office and was declared a "Hit".[34]

His next release was a war action comedy film Wathan which is directed, written, edited and produced by himself.[2][35] Upon release, it received negative response from critics.[35] Haveeru Daily felt the film "deceived" the audience in the name of action thriller; "I highly doubt if the project team was even sure of what kind of movie they were planning to make. It is a total mess between a serious action movie and scoop comedy".[35] The film was further criticed for remaking several shots from Jim Abrahams's parody film, Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993).[36] Seezan's last release of the year was Ahmed Azmeel's directorial debut Hiyy Yaara Dheefa (2011), in which he starred alongside Aishath Rishmy, Niuma Mohamed, Ahmed Azmeel and Aminath Rasheedha.[37] The film received negative reviews from critics who pointed out similarities between Bollywood comedy-drama film Ishq (1997) and Kundan Shah's family drama Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002).[38] He played Isham, a poor boy who falls in love with a rich girl.[38] While the film did not achieve financial success, his portrayal was moderately acclaimed by critics.[38]

In 2012, Seezan starred in the Ravee Farooq-directed romantic drama film Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen, opposite Niuma Mohamed.[39] Upon its release, the film received mixed responses from critics, although his performance was positively recognized. Ahmed Nadheem of Haveeru described the film as "the best Maldivian melodramatic film" he had seen in the past two years but expressed displeasure with its similarities to two Bollywood films.[40] It was followed by Abdul Faththaah's romantic film Love Story alongside Amira Ismail and Aishath Rishmy.[41] He portrayed the character of Althaf Shair, who falls in love with the island chief's daughter.[42] The film and his performance received negative response from critics. Nadheem criticized his role, calling it an "exact replica" of what he had portrayed in his previous release, Mihashin Furaana Dhandhen. Displeased with the screenplay and performance of the actors, he wrote: "the actors were not given sufficient scope to develop their characters and that the film was marred by excessive emotional scenes and overacting.[42] He further noted that Seezan's performance seemed to "deteriorate as the weight of his role increased" in the film.[42]

Seezan at Niuma Mohamed's Silver Jubilee celebration event, 2019

In 2014, Seezan starred opposite Aishath Rishmy in his directorial venture, the psychological thriller Insaana. In the film, he playing the timid and weak-minded man who commits the murder of his wife.[43] The story revolves around a murderer's attempt to evade guilt after the crime.[44] Made on a budget of MVR 220,000, the film drew inspiration from Ryan Connolly's short psychological horror film Tell (2012), which is loosely based on the Edgar Allan Poe short story "The Tell-Tale Heart".[45] Upon its release, the film received widespread critical acclaim. Hassan Naail from Vaguthu called it "one of the best Maldivian release to date" and praised Seezan's performance, considering it his career-best.[46] The film went on to receive the bronze medal for Best Film at the 2015 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Film Festival, competing against seventeen regional films.[47][48]

The following year, Seezan released his first film under his own banner S. Productions.[49] Titled Ahsham, the film was made on a budget of MVR 1,500,000, making it one of the most expensive films in the Maldivian film industry.[49] While the film and Seezan's portrayal of the title character received mixed to positive responses from critics, his efforts in direction were well received.[49] Ahmed Nadheem from Avas, praised the hard work and continuous effort put into producing the film, particularly in exploring a genre unfamiliar to the Maldivian audience.[49] It was one of three entries from Maldives to the SAARC Film Festival 2016.[50] At the 8th Gaumee Film Awards, Seezan received six nominations including, Best Actor and Best Director, Best Editing, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.[51]

In 2016, Seezan's first release was Ahmed Nimal-directed horror film E Re'ah Fahu.[52] The film received a negative response from critics and was declared a flop.[53] His next release was the romantic film Vafaatheri Kehiveriya, which he directed himself.[54] The film received mixed to negative reception from critics. Ahmed Nadheem from Avas attributed part of the film's reception to its title, which may have given the impression of an "old typical" taste.[55] Despite the mixed reviews, Seezan's portrayal of the character Fayaa was considered an "overall good" performance.[55]

He then appeared alongside an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Saeed and Fathimath Azifa in the romantic comedy film Naughty 40 (2017), directed by Shafeeu.[56] The film revolves around three friends in their forties who maintain a youthful outlook on life despite being single.[56][57] The film achieved both critical and commercial success and emerged as one of the highest-grossing Maldivian films of 2017.[58][59] He reprised the role in the horror comedy film 40+ (2019), which served as a sequel to the 2017 released comedy film Naughty 40, which was well received both critically and commercially.[60]

In 2020, Seezan starred alongside Aminath Rishfa and Sheela Najeeb in his romantic drama film Andhirikan, in which he portrayed a confused husband who leaves his wife when she is unable to conceive a baby.[61] Upon its release, the film received mixed reviews from critics and due to COVID-19 pandemic the film was pulled from theaters after only four shows were screened.[62]

In 2023, Seezan released the erotic thriller Loabi Vevijje, directed he also directed.[63] In the film, portrayed an ordinary married man who becomes obsessed with an extramarital affair.[63] Although the film was initially announced in 2019 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it eventually opened to generally positive reviews from critics.[64] However, Seezan's performance in the film received mixed reviews from critics. Ahmed Nadheem from Dhauru criticized his acting range and wrote: "Seezan still seems to be stuck in his previous roles and avatars", while Aminath Luba reviewing from The Press opined that delivered the performance required for his role.[63][65]