Dark Rain Entertainment

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]