Mariyam Azza

Mariyam Azza
Occupation Actress
Years active 2007–present

Mariyam Azza is a Maldivian film actress.

Early life

Born in Malé, Azza is the daughter of actor Aminath Rasheedha and the sister of actor Aishath Rishmy. She made a brief cameo appearance in the film Mithuru, along with Rishmy, which was produced by her step-father Shiyam and co-starring with Rasheedha.

Career

2006–16: Debut and breakthrough

Azza made her acting debut in a supporting role with Hukuru Vileyrey (2006), which was based on a novel published by Ibrahim Waheed in Haveeru Daily in 2003.[1] The film was a critical and commercial success and was considered as "one of the few acceptable horror movies the Maldives film industry, has ever produced". The film was later released as a fifteen episode television series with the inclusion of several clips that were cut for the theatrical release. Azza made her next appearance in 2011 with Ali Seezan's war comedy drama film Wathan, where she was seen in the introductory item number "Dhurun Balaashey".[1]

In 2016, Azza played the role of Elisha, an innocent girl who becomes possessed while trapped in a house, in Fathimath Nahula's horror film 4426.[2] Upon release, the film received mostly positive reviews from critics. Ahmed Nadheem of Avas labelled the film as a "masterpiece" and noted her performance to be "good" but not "consistent".[3] However, it was also considered to be her "best performance" so far.[3] Ahmed Adhushan reviewing for Mihaaru considered her dialogue delivery and expressions in the possessed scenes to "stand out" from the film while she delivered a "haunting performance" in her "breakthrough film".[4] With twenty-five back-to-back housefull shows being screened, 4426 was declared as the highest-grossing film of the year in the Maldives.[5]

2017–present: Commercial success

In 2017, Azza established herself as a leading actress of contemporary Maldivian cinema by featuring in four of the top-grossing productions of the year. Her first release of the year was the Ali Shifau-directed romantic comedy Mee Loaybakee alongside Mohamed Jumayyil.[6] At the time of release, the film held the record of being the Maldivian film featuring the largest cast onscreen.[7] The film tells the story of ex-lovers sliding into the friend zone, and the envy and diffidence they experience amidst a convoluted love-triangle.[7] In the film, she played the role of Lam, an insecure friend of Ishan - her ex-boyfirend.[7] The film and Azza's performance received mixed reviews, with Aishath Maaha of Avas calling her performance "a drawback from her previous films".[7] The film emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of 2017.[8] She next featured alongside an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mohamed Manik, Ahmed Saeed and Ali Seezan in another romantic comedy film Naughty 40 which was directed by Shafeeu.[9] The film revolves around three friends, Ashwanee, Ahsan and Ajwad (Played by Shafeeu, Saeed and Manik respectively) who are single and having a youthful outlook, in spite of being in their forties.[9] She featured in dual roles - Ziyana, a woman who gets impregnated after being sexually assaulted, and later as Ashwa, the daughter of Ziyana, an introverted daughter who meets her father after nineteen years.[9] The film met with both critical and commercial success, emerging as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of 2017.[10][8]

Abdul Fatthah's romantic drama Hahdhu was Azza's next film release. She was paid MVR50,000 for the role in the film, becoming the highest-paid actress in the Maldivian film industry alongside Niuma Mohamed for her work in Niuma.[11] The film touched upon controversial issues in the Maldives including the depiction of flogging and also shines a light on mental health by featuring an attempted suicide.[12] Azza played the role of Yusra, an acquiescent and talkative young woman whose life changes with an extramarital affair. A reviewer from Avas wrote: "The transition from being loquacious to reticent, she played the character whole-heatedly saddening the audience with absolute emotions".[13] The film opened to mixed reviews from critics though it emerged as one of the highest grossing Maldivian films of the year.[8]

Her fourth and final release of the year was Aishath Rishmy's romantic drama Bos.[14] Penned and produced by Fathimath Nahula, the film tells the story of a woman from a royal family and her battle with depression after the demise of her father.[15][16] Azza played the lead character Ibaa, who suffers from depression and is forced into an arranged marriage.[16] A reviewer from Avas criticised the film for having a resemblance to American coming-of-age romantic drama A Walk to Remember (2002) and Indian romantic drama Sanam Teri Kasam (2016).[16] The film along with her performance attracted mixed to positive critical reaction.[16] The film emerged as the highest grossing Maldivian film of 2017 and Azza's fifth consecutive success at box office.[8] During the year, Azza hosted the celebrity-based talk show Azxonna, where she interviews actors, directors and other prominent members of the Maldivian film industry.[17] The first season consisting of thirteen episodes were aired from 13 February 2017.[17]

Media image

Following the success of 4426, Hahdhu and Bos, Azza's film roles were subject to wide commercial analysis.[18][19] Analysing her career, Avas published that director Fathiman Nahula hits "ambergris jackpot" by casting Azza as the leading lady in 4426.[19] She was described as the "replacement" of Niuma Mohamed whom the media cites as the most successful leading actress in Maldives.[19] In 2017, she was the most successful contemporary actress in the Maldives.[19] She is an active celebrity endorser for several brands and products.[19]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1993 Mithuru N/A Child actor
2011 Hukuru Vileyrey Azza [1]
2011 Wathan Herself Special appearance in the song "Dhurun Balaashey" [1]
2016 4426 Elisha [3]
2017 Mee Loaybakee Lam [6]
2017 Naughty 40 Ziyana / Ashwa [9]
2017 Hahdhu Yusra [13]
2017 Bos Ibaa [16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Adhushan, Ahmed (10 August 2016). "Azza has few upcoming movies lined up". Mihaaru (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  2. ↑ Nadheem, Ahmed (26 February 2016). "This time its not a "Nahu-styled" film, A revelation". Avas (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Nadheem, Ahmed (21 October 2016). "4426 is Nahula's mastepiece". Avas (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  4. ↑ Adhushan, Ahmed (25 November 2016). "4426 Late Review: Nahula leveling up the game". Mihaaru (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  5. ↑ "25 Housefull shows of 4426 screened! Now screening the last few shows". Avas (in Dhivehi). 20 November 2016. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  6. 1 2 Adhushan, Ahmed (4 April 2017). "Dark Rain's Mee Laoybakee premiering tonight". Mihaaru (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Maaha, Aishath (10 April 2017). "Mee Loaiybakee: Memorable Love". Avas (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Adhushan, Ahmed (31 December 2017). "2017: Is it a successful year for the film industry?". Mihaaru (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Adhushan, Ahmed (13 February 2017). ""Naughty 40" featuring notable celebrities launched". Mihaaru (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  10. ↑ Maaha, Aishath (6 August 2017). ""Naughty 40": A mixture of all tastes". Avas (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  11. ↑ Nadheem, Ahmed (15 February 2017). "Azza charging a high price". Avas (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  12. ↑ "'Hahdhu' film touches upon controversial issues in the Maldives". Avas. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  13. 1 2 Maaha, Aishath (8 September 2017). "Review" Praising 'Hahdhu" in a limit". Avas (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  14. ↑ Adhushan, Ahmed (2 December 2017). "Last two shows of "Bos"". Mihaaru. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  15. ↑ Fareeha, Aishath (2 November 2017). ""Bos"; A Must Watch". Sun (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Trapped in the "kisses" of Yunaan". Avas (in Dhivehi). 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  17. 1 2 "After a successful year, Azza to host a talking show". Avas (in Dhivehi). 29 December 2016. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  18. ↑ Maaha, Aishath (30 January 2018). "Unbeatable flowers". Dho (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 Nadheem, Ahmed (17 February 2017). "Azza: An ambergris to the industry". Avas (in Dhivehi). Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.