''Jokaru'' is a 2023 Maldivian comedy film written and directed by

Yoosuf Shafeeu Yoosuf Shafeeu also known as Eupe (20 October 1975) is a Maldivian film actor, editor, writer, and director. One of the most successful filmmakers and actors in Maldivian Cinema, Shafeeu is the recipient of a number of awards, including eight Ga ...

. Produced by Ismail Shafeeq and Ali Shaniz Mohamed under Eupe Production, in association with Shy Production and Saturn Studio, the film stars

Ahmed Nimal Ahmed Nimal is a Maldivian actor, director, editor, writer and producer. Early life Prior to acting in films, Nimal worked at Maldives Meteorological Service office. His interest in films and acting grew due to the influence of his colleagues inc ...

, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Saeed,

Ali Azim Ali Azim is a Maldivian film actor. Career 2010–2016: Early releases Azim expressed his interest in acting at a very young age. Before he pursued a career in acting Azim worked as a dancer and stage performer. He was first recognized by the aud ...

and

Nashidha Mohamed Nashidha Mohamed is a Maldivian actress. Career Mohamed was first noticed by the owner of the production studio Corona Arts while he was attending an event held in Kulhudhuffushi, where she was performing onstage. Impressed with her appearance ...

in pivotal roles. The film was released theatrically on 5 September 2023.

Premise

Afreen seeks assistance from the gang leader Sarudhar and his trio of accomplices, Joharu, Kadheeru, and Ruhul, to obtain a suitcase full of money. Afreen provides them with all the necessary information about the suitcase. The trio initiates their mission by enticing Haris, who is carrying the same suitcase and visiting Male', into a taxi. They successfully acquire the suitcase, turning the trip into a harrowing ordeal for the three jesters and anyone else caught up in the chaos.

Cast

as Sarudhar * Sheela Najeeb as Bareeka * Ahmed Saeed as Kadheeru *

as Joharu *

as Mahira * Moosa Rasheed as Saadh * Hussain Nadhuvee as Maaz * Mohamed Rifshan as Aaf * Ahmed Emau as Ruhul * Moosa Aleef as Afreen *

Hamdhan Farooq Hamdhan Farooq (born 3 June 1983) is a Maldivian film actor. Early life Farooq was born on 3 June 1983 in Ga. Dhaandhoo. His parents, Ali Farooq and Mariyam Haleem are actors working in the film industry since 1997. He is the brother of actor Ra ...

as Haris * Shaheedha Ahmed as Dhuha *

Fathimath Fareela Fathimath Fareela (24 October 1984) is a Maldivian film actress. Career Fareela made her film debut in Ahmed Nimal's romantic film '' Vaaloabi Engeynama'' (2006), starred alongside Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Afeefa and Fauziyya Hassan which was a ...

in the item number "Vagunge Jagadaa" *

in the item number "Vagunge Jagadaa"

Development

After the success of the comedy films '' Baiveriyaa'' (2016), ''

Naughty 40 Naughty Forty (Naughty 40 or N40) is a football hooligan firm linked to the English team Stoke City F.C. Background At their height, the firm had over 700 members and were among the more violent football hooligan firms in England. In Januar ...

'' (2017) and ''

40+ 40 or forty commonly refers to: * 40 (number) * The years 40 BC and AD 40 40 or forty may also refer to: Music * 40 (record producer) (born 1983), Canadian hip hop producer (born Noah Shebib) * ''Forty'' (album), a 2001 live album by Thomas D ...

'', director

collaborated with producer Ismail Shafeeq for another comedy film titled ''Jokaru''. The project was officially announced on 11 July 2023, even though some filming sequences of the film were published on social media starting from May 2023. Major cast of the film were announced in July 2023 with actors including

, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Saeed,

and debutants Ahmed Emau, Moosa Aleef and Shaheedha Ahmed. Initial snippets of the film was released in mid-July 2023 indicating that the film revolves around a box which is deeply connected to everyone's life and how everyone is invested in finding the missing box. Filming took place in the greater Male' area.

Soundtrack

Release

The film theatrically released on 5 September 2023. The film received mixed reviews from critics. Aminath Luba from ''The Press'' called it a "laughing riot" and praised the performance of veteran actors including

and debut actor Moosa Aleef. Luba noted the "lagging" first half of the film and the "over-humor" as a drawback of the film.

References

{{Reflist, 30em 2023 films Maldivian comedy films Dhivehi-language films