Ismail Wajeeh
Ismail Wajeeh | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 September 1962 Male' , Maldives |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1984–2001; 2017–present |
| Children | 5 |
Ismail Wajeeh (20 September 1962) is a Maldivian actor and choreographer.
Early life
While studying in primary school, Wajeeh, along with his nephews used to perform songs and stage shows to small gatherings.[1] While studying in grade 4, he was offered to be part of an English radio drama produced by the Voice of Maldives, titled "The Enormous Turnip".[1] During his secondary education, he played small roles in stage dramas as an extra.[1] In 1982, he got offered by the leading theatre performing group, Cultural and Drama Society (CDS) to be part of their group.[1]
Career
In 1984, while Wajeeh was working in Television Maldives, he meets the director Mohamed Hilmy, a friend of his brother, who asked Wajeeh if he is interested to be the lead actor of his upcoming film, Chuttee (1984), to which he agrees instantly.[1] In the film, he played a shady character which was well received by the critics and audience.[1]
The Mohamed Hilmy and Ali Waheed directed film, Ihsaas was released in 1993 in which Wajeeh starred as an orphan who is psychologically disturbed following a false arrest. His "genuine" performance received positive reviews from critics and resulted in winning a Gaumee Film Award for Best Actor. The next year, he starred in Ali Waheed-directed Kulunu where he played the role of a doctor who is forced to marry his childhood friend.[2] Mariyam Shauqee's widely acclaimed family drama television series Kahthiri was released in 1997; here Wajeeh played the role of a stay home husband, living in a congested housing complex while dealing with various social issues.[3]
In 2000, he appeared in two films; Hussain Shihab's drama film Rihun and Mohamed Ali Manik's Maazee alongside Jamsheedha Ahmed, Mariyam Nazima and Aminath Rasheedha which narrates the story of two best friends, a boy and a girl, who get separated at childhood and reunite as adults.[4] Ahmed played the role of underprivileged young man who turns into a successful person due to his hardwork and determination.[1]
The following year he starred as a widower in the Abdulla Sujau and Abdul Faththaah-directed family drama Ranmuiy (2001) which is centered on the dispute between a daughter and her step-mother.[1] The film was heavily marketed for its item song featuring himself and Indian actress Rajeshwari, which also marks the first international collaboration in the local industry.[5][6] Afterwards, he relocated to Singapore and disappeared in all local productions.
Sixteen years later, Wajeeh made a comeback in a special appearance with the Dark Rain Entertainment's production, the romantic comedy Mee Loaybakee (2017) followed by another of their comedy films Maamui (2019).[7][8]
Personal life
Apart from acting, Wajeeh served as the Assistant Principal in Jamaluddin School.[1] Afterwards, he started working as a program coordinator at Television Maldives.[1] He married a Singapore-Indian woman residing in Singapore and relocated to Singapore in 2001, hoping to provide better education for their children.[1]
Filmography
Feature film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Chuttee | [1] | ||
| 1993 | Ihsaas | Mohamed Unaiz | Gaumee Film Award for Best Actor | [1] |
| 1994 | Kulunu | Rashidh | [2] | |
| 1997 | Heelaiy | News presenter | Special appearance | [9] |
| 1998 | Huvafen | |||
| 2000 | Rihun | Unaiz | [1] | |
| 2000 | Maazee | Ahmed Imran | [4] | |
| 2001 | Ranmuiy | Waheedh | [6] | |
| 2017 | Mee Loaybakee | Ismail | Special appearance | [7] |
| 2019 | Maamui | Jaguar | [8] | |
| 2023 | November
|
Sam | [10] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Huvafaiy | |||
| 1997–1999 | Kahthiri | Umar | Main role; 38 episodes | [3] |
| 1998 | Ehan'dhaan | |||
| 1998 | Raalhubaani | Teledrama | ||
| 1999 | Hamaekani Dharifulhahtakai... | Umaiz | Teledrama | |
| 2000 | Kashithanmathi | Fareedh | Teledrama | |
| 2021 | Rumi á Jannat | Sam | Guest role; Episode: "Vaashey Mashaa Ekee" | [11] |
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1st Gaumee Film Awards | Best Actor | Ihsaas | Won | [1] |
| Best Makeup | Ihsaas (Shared with Mohamed Hilmy) | Won | [1] |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Rasheed, Ahmed (16 August 2018). "Wants to play an action movie: Ismail Wajeeh". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Gaumee Inaam 2001 - Aishath Shiranee". Presidency Maldives (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ a b Ali, Ifraz (1 October 2019). "Where are all the drama series?". Dho? (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ a b Ifraz, Ali (23 September 2018). "Wajeeh and Jamsheedha reunites at polling location". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- ^ "Juhi sprains an ankle". Rediff.com. 2 November 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (23 January 2017). "Reminiscing international collaborations". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (4 April 2017). "Dark Rain's Mee Laoybakee premiering tonight". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (28 July 2017). "Maamui to be released as a feature film instead of a web series". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
- ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (5 May 2020). "A list of local copy films". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (22 July 2019). "Maju and Jumayyil return with another DRE project". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
- ^ Luba, Aminath (1 January 2020). "Rumi a Jannat: A modern comedy". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.