Abdul Faththaah Abdul Gayyoom (born 6 December 1971), commonly known as Abdul Faththaah is a Maldivian film director, producer, editor, screenwriter and choreographer. One of the most successful filmmakers in Maldivian Cinema, Faththaah is the recipient of a number of awards, including four Gaumee Film Awards, and two Maldives Film Awards. In 2004, Government of Maldives honoured him with the National Award of Recognition. He is known for his romantically stylish film-making.
Realizing his potential, after a successful venture at an inter-office teledrama competition, Faththaah made his directorial debut with a video single, "Dhan Dhan Dhanvaru". In 2000, he directed his first film Himeyn Dhuniye followed by Ranmuiy which was half-directed before he was roped into the project. He rose to prominence in Maldivian cinema with the commercially successful and acclaimed romantic drama Aan... Aharenves Loabivin (2002), and the horror film Eynaa (2004) — for which he received the Best Editing award at the Miadhu Crystal Awards. He followed it by directing a commercially unsuccessful film Hureemey Inthizaarugaa (2005) and the award-winning film Vehey Vaarey Therein (2003) which earned him his only Gaumee Film Award for Best Director. After establishing his own production studio, Red Productions, Faththaah directed a television drama series, Hinithun Velaashey Kalaa and a romantic drama Vaaloabi Engeynama (2006).
His most successful film was released in 2010, the romantic horror film Jinni (2010) for which he received a Maldives Film Awards Best Director nomination, followed by another romantic horror film 14 Vileyrey (2011). He received his second Gaumee Film Award nomination for Best Director with his romantic film Love Story (2012). His next release, the family drama Aadheys (2014) received mixed reviews from critics while he announced his retirement with his commercially successful film Hahdhu (2017)
Early life
Abdul Faththaah was born on 6 December 1971 in Ha. Kelaa. His father used to play the harmonium. During his stay at Kelaa School, Faththaah participated in a stage narration of Maldivian classical romance novel, Dhon Hiyala and Ali Fulhu. At the age of nine, he relocated to Male' with his family. When he was studying at ninth grade, Mariyam Shauqee, a producer from Television Maldives offered him work in the inter-office teledrama competition. Apart from writing the story, Faththaah played the role of a father in the drama. Afterwards, he worked in several other teledramas; one of them featured actor Mohamed Manik alongside him. After completing tenth standard, Faththaah worked in a resort. Showing a lack of interest in the tourism industry, he moved back to Male'.
After his father's dismissal, Faththaah started working at the first Maldivian fast-food restaurant where he witnessed the "lavishing life" film actors use to be living. "It was an era where film actors were highly recognised with their stylish and luxurious life. Dining at restaurants, travelling by cars, it was that moment I realized that I want to imitate their lifestyle". Subsequently, he resigned from the restaurant and joined Maldives National Defence Force where he was in their service for six years. In 1995, Faththaah wrote and directed Maldives National Defence Force's teledrama Veyn where he was bestowed with the Best Director award and he went on to win the award for a further two years. Realizing his successful venture in film-making, Faththaah resigned from MNDF and joined the Maldives film industry. He first directed a video single, "Dhan Dhan Dhanvaru" featuring Ravee Farooq and Niuma Mohamed. This was followed by "Aaberu Toh Toh" and several other songs.
Career
In 2000, Faththaah released his directorial debut, Himeyn Dhuniye which starred Mariyam Nisha and Ali Khalid as a couple having an extra-marital affair. This was followed by Ranmuiy which was "half-directed" before he was roped into the project. Directed alongside Abdulla Sujau, the film centers on the dispute between a daughter and her step-mother.