Hussain Munawwar (born 5 February 1998), commonly known as Kuda Foolhu is a Maldivian film director, cinematographer, producer and actor.
Hussain Munawwar | |
|---|---|
 Munawwar at 2nd Maldives Film Awards ceremony, 2012 | |
| Born | 5 February 1988 GA. Kolamaafushi, Maldives |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| Occupation(s) | Director, cinematographer, producer, actor |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Children | Kayan Hussain Munawwar
Ahmed Kiyaan Hussain Munawwar Aishath Kainaa Hussain Munawwar |
Career edit
In 2006, Munawwar starred as the character Kudafoolhu, a manipulative devil under the strict instructions of his master, in the first installment of Yoosuf Shafeeu-directed short film series, Vasvaas which proved to be a breakthrough for him with his humorous and child-friendly act.[1] He reprised the role in several of his other ventures including Kudafoolhuge Vasvaas (2006) and Kudafoolhaai Paree Dhahtha (2007).[1] His performance in playing the character fetched him a Maldives Film Award for Best Actor in short films category.[2]
In 2011, Munawwar starred as gangster in the Moomin Fuad-directed crime tragedy drama Loodhifa.[3] Featuring an ensemble cast, the film deals with modern social issues in society told from the different perspectives of the characters.[4] Made on a budget of MVR 600,000, the film was declared a commercial failure though it received wide critical acclaim.[3] He made his directorial debut with the romantic drama film Sazaa, featuring Ismail Rasheed, Niuma Mohamed and Lufshan Shakeeb.[5] The story revolves around a carefree woman whose life is turned upside down when she is forced to marry a brutal man.[5] His debut as a director was appreciated by the critics and emerged as a commercial success.[5] At the 7th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony, Munawwar was bestowed with the Best Cinematographer award for Sazaa while being nominated in the same category for Loodhifa (2011) and Ingili (2013).[6][7]
Following the success of Sazaa, Munawwar directed his second feature film, Dhilakani which stars Ismail Rasheed, Niuma Mohamed, Mohamed Manik, Aminath Rishfa and Mohamed Faisal in main roles.[8] The film which deals with a man's tumultuous journey to seek vengeance, his undoing and his eventual redemption from an unlikeliest of sources, received negative reception from critics.[9] Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru wrote: "The film is similar to a ship without a direction, an aimless screenplay leading the director to no path. Embraced with futile characters, impractical scenes and out-dated music, the film has problems in each department".[10] Despite the negative reviews, Munawwar received a nomination as the Best Director at the 3rd Maldives Film Awards.[11]
In 2016, Munawwar directed the film Neyngi Yaaru Vakivee featuring Ahmed Azmeel, Maleeha Waheed, Ismail Jumaih and Aminath Rishfa.[12] Critics gave the film negative reviews, considering it a "boring" and "forced" attempt at film production.[13] Despite the negative reviews, the film did average business at the end of its theatrical run.[14]
Filmography edit
Feature film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Loodhifa | Thomas | Also the cinematographer | [3] |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Kamana Vareh Neiy | Hussain | Recurring role; 3 episodes | [15] |
Short film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Vasvaas 1 | Kudafoolhu | [1] | |
| 2006 | Kudafoolhuge Vasvaas | Kudafoolhu | [1] | |
| 2007 | Kudafoolhaai Paree Dhahtha | Kudafoolhu | [1] | |
| 2007 | Paneeno | Paneeno | [16] | |
| 2010 | Kudafoolhu | Kudafoolhu |
Other work edit
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Camera | Editing | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Kudafoolhuge Vasvaas | Yes | Yes | Short film | [1] | ||
| 2007 | Kudafoolhaai Paree Dhahtha | Yes | Short film | [1] | |||
| 2007 | Paneeno | Yes | Yes | Short film; Also the co-writer | [16] | ||
| 2007 | Umurah Salaam | Yes | Yes | Short film | [17] | ||
| 2008 | Prince of Madagaskara | Yes | Short film | [16] | |||
| 2009 | 01 January | Yes | Short film | [18] | |||
| 2010 | Veeraana | Yes | Feature film | [19] | |||
| 2011 | Loodhifa | Yes | Feature film | [10] | |||
| 2011 | Sazaa | Yes | Yes | Feature film | [5] | ||
| 2011 | Wathan | Yes | Feature film | [20] | |||
| 2012 | Dhirumeh Nethas | Yes | Television series; 5 episodes | [21] | |||
| 2013 | Ingili | Yes | Yes | Feature film | [6] | ||
| 2013 | Dhilakani | Yes | Feature film | [10] | |||
| 2016 | Bithufangi 2 | Yes | Television series; 13 episodes | ||||
| 2016 | Neyngi Yaaru Vakivee | Yes | Yes | Yes | Feature film | [13] | |
| 2016 | Vee Beyvafa | Yes | Feature film | [22] | |||
| 2017 | Bandharu | Yes | Office drama | ||||
| 2019 | Shhh | Yes | Web series; 5 episodes | [23] | |||
| 2020 | Hanaa | Yes | Yes | Web series; 13 episodes | [24] |
Discography edit
| Year | Film/album | Song | Lyricist(s) | Co-artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Kudafoolhaai Paree Dhahtha | "Kuda Foolhaa" | Imad Ismail |
Accolades edit
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2nd Maldives Film Awards | Best Art Direction | Loodhifa (Shared with Moomin Fuad and Ismail Rasheed) | Won | [2] |
| Best Actor - Short Film | Kudafoolhu | Won | [2] | ||
| 2014 | 3rd Maldives Film Awards | Best Director | Dhilakani | Nominated | [11] |
| Best Art Direction | Ingili (Shared with Ravee Farooq and Mahdi Ahmed) | Won | [25] | ||
| Dhilakani (Shared with Hassan Shiyam) | Nominated | [11] | |||
| Best Cinematography | Ingili | Won | [25] | ||
| 2016 | 7th Gaumee Film Awards | Best Director | Sazaa | Nominated | [6] |
| Best Cinematography | Sazaa | Won | [7] | ||
| Ingili | Nominated | [6] | |||
| Loodhifa | Nominated | [6] | |||
| Best Art Direction | Loodhifa (Shared with Moomin Fuad and Ismail Rasheed) | Won | [7] | ||
| Ingili (Shared with Ravee Farooq and Mahdi Ahmed) | Nominated | [6] | |||
| Sazaa | Nominated | [6] | |||
| Best Costume Design | Sazaa | Nominated | [6] |
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Ahmed, Adhushan (24 December 2017). "Kudafoolhu's character to return to screen". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ a b c Nadheem, Ahmed (5 July 2012). "Winners of Maldives Film Awards". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ a b c Naif, Ahmed (15 February 2011). "Loodhifa; Up-righting the fraternal film industry". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (16 December 2010). "Expectations for "Loodhifa" is high". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d Nadheem, Ahmed (12 March 2015). "Director's start is worthy". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Adhushan, Ahmed (16 December 2016). "Nominations for 7th Gaumee Film Awards Announced". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ a b c Adhushan, Ahmed (22 December 2016). "With 10 awards, "Loodhifa" crowned as Best Film". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (10 January 2013). ""Dhilakani" is originated from "Sazaa"'s experience". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ Ahmed, Fazeena (10 January 2013). ""Dhilakani" to be released next month". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ a b c Nadheem, Ahmed (19 June 2013). ""Dhilakani" Review". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ a b c Nadheem, Ahmed (29 April 2014). "Maldives Film Awards Nominations out". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ "Neyngi Yaaru Vakivee's First show full, Tickets available at four spots" (in Divehi). Sun. 26 February 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ a b Nadheem, Ahmed (6 April 2016). "The actual reason of "Neyngi Yaaru Vakivee"" (in Divehi). Avas. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ Jaishan, Ahmed (5 March 2016). "Neyngi Yaaru Vakivee premiered to a positive response" (in Divehi). Vaguthu. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ Ashraf, Aisha (4 February 2018). "Where are all the drama series?". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- ^ a b c Abdulla, Fareeha (29 April 2016). "Maldivians like copied products; our own style is not accepted: Seezan" (in Divehi). Vaguthu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ^ Maaha, Aishath (7 June 2017). "Isse rising to the peak?". Avas. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (17 October 2017). "Are these stars fallen?". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (10 June 2010). "Veeraana did a satisfactory business at box office". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (18 September 2011). "Seezan in a mess for copying "Hot Shots"". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (23 February 2012). "Top 10 Actresses in Maldives". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (30 November 2016). ""Vee Beyvafa": A step backward". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (9 May 2019). "A horror web series by Amjey". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ Rasheed, Ahmed (19 October 2019). "Twenty five percent of Hanaa series completed". MuniAvas. Archived from the original on 1 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Maldives Film Awards Nominations and Winners list". Sun (in Divehi). 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2018.