''Nina'' is a 2023 Maldivian crime thriller film directed by

Ilyas Waheed Ilyas Waheed is a Maldivian film director, producer, screenwriter and editor Early life Inspired by his father's patriotism, Waheed inclined to pursue a career as an army officer. However, while studying in grade three, he was bedridden for three ...

. Produced by Asim Ali and Ahmed Wahyd under IFilms, the film stars

Nuzuhath Shuaib Nuzuhath Shuaib (born 14 September 1988) is a Maldivian film actress. Early life Nuzuhath Shuaib was born on 14 September 1988 in N. Manadhoo. She was working at Jelly Pizza when her friend, a film actor Ali Azim introduced her to the team of ' ...

in title role while debutant

Sharaf Abdulla Sharafudheen Abdulla (born 4 August 1991), commonly known as Sharaf Abdulla, is a Maldivian film actor. Career After completing his education in his homeland, R. Meedhoo, Abdulla relocated to Male' in 2010, in search of a job opportunity. Afte ...

, Mariyam Rasheedha and Mariyam Shakeela feature in pivotal roles.

Premise

Nina, a gym and martial arts instructor, finds solace in a relationship with Hamdh, a friend. However, her life is disrupted by a dramatic event, leaving her beaten and broken. Nina must find revenge seeking justice for those responsible.

Cast

as Aishath Nina Hussain *

as Hamdhu * Mohamed Nial Naasih as Kaif *

Mohamed Jumayyil Mohamed Jumayyil is a Maldivian actor. He is the son of actor Ahmed Nimal Early life Mohamed Jumayyil's father Ahmed Nimal is one of the established actor and director of the industry. Jumayyil went to Ahmadiyya Pre-school as his first institu ...

as Zafar "Farey" *

Hamdhoon Farooq Hamdhoon Farooq (born 7 April 1988) is a Maldivian film actor and dancer. Early life and career Farooq was born on 7 April 1988 in Male'. His parents, Ali Farooq and Mariyam Haleem are actors working in the film industry since 1997. He is the br ...

as Ali "Albo" * Mariyam Rasheedha as Latheefa * Hassan Saamih Mohamed as John * Ibrahim Shaif as Simhadh "Sippalhey" * Hassan Sinan as Mode * Hassan Zaidh as Kaattey * Ali Yooshau as Ahmed Adhil * Nathasha Jaleel as Abidha *

Aisha Ali Aisha Ali (born 10 May 1997) is a Maldivian film actress. Career In 2018, Ali made her career debut in Amir Saleem-directed social drama television series ''Lam'' opposite Ali Azim which received mixed reviews from critics where Ali's performanc ...

as Marie * Ali Inaz as Asadh * Mariyam Shakeela as Shareefa *

Adam Rizwee Adam Rizwee is a Maldivian film actor. Career In 2014, Rizwee made his film debut in the Aishath Fuad Thaufeeg directed art film Hulhudhaan in a minor role. In 2015 he was cast in Ali Shifau-directed romantic film '' Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen' ...

as Isse * Mohamed Arusham as Car Driver * Abdulla Arim as John's brother * Hussain Sameeh as Shiham * Mohamed Shaavy as Amir * Hawwa Shaazna as Doctor * Ahmed Rasheedh as Doctor *

Ahmed Ifnaz Firag Ahmed Ifnaz Firag (born 12 January 1985) is a Maldivian film actor, director, singer, television host, fitness instructor and photographer. Early life After completing his primary education in Jamaluddin school, Firag enrolled in Majeediyya Sc ...

news presenter A news presenter – also known as a newsreader, newscaster (short for "news broadcaster"), anchorman or anchorwoman, news anchor or simply an anchor – is a person who presents news during a news program on TV, radio or the Internet. ...

(Special appearance) *

Mariyam Azza Mariyam Azza (born 20 April 1989) is a Maldivian film actress. She is the daughter of actress Aminath Rasheedha and younger sister to actress turned director Aishath Rishmy Early life Born in Malé, Azza is the daughter of actress Aminath Rasheed ...

as Azza in the

item number In Indian cinema, an item number or item song is a musical number inserted into a film that may or may not have any relevance to the plot. The term is commonly used within Indian films (Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi, and Be ...

"Azza" (Special appearance) *

Aishath Rishmy Aishath Rishmy Rameez (born 15 November 1985) is a Maldivian actress film producer and director. Early life Born in Malé, Maldives, Rishmy is the daughter of actor Aminath Rasheedha. She is the elder sister of actress Mariyam Azza. They reside ...

(Special appearance) *

Ravee Farooq Ravee Farooq is a Maldivian actor, director, editor and choreographer. Career Farooq made his film debut with Abdul Faththaah-directed romantic disaster film, '' Hureemey Inthizaarugaa'' (2005) cast along with Mariyam Zuhura, Waleedha Waleed, Ib ...

(Special appearance)

Development

Following the success of ''

Bavathi ''Bavathi'' is a 2019 Maldivian psychological thriller film directed by Ilyas Waheed. Produced by Asim Ali, Ilyas Waheed and Ahmed Waheed under IFilms, the film stars Nuzuhath Shuaib and Ahmed Ifnaz Firag in pivotal roles. Plot Ibrahim aka Ibu ...

'' (2019), director

announced ''Nina'' in August 2019 with a cast including

, debutant

and

. After completing the shoot in Male', the cast and crew departed to Laamu atoll on 4 February 2020. As required for the film, Shuaib trained in martial arts. Shooting for the film ended in March 2020. In mid-2020, it was reported that veteran actress Mariyam Rasheedha has joined the cast of the film after a break of more than two decades. Following the child abuse allegation over Jumayyil, the production studio severed ties with him and affirmed that he will not be involved in the marketing and promotion of the film, though no confirmation was given by the studio if his role will be retained in the film or replaced. Filming was completed in early 2021.

Soundtrack

Release and response

The film was scheduled for theatrical release in late 2020, but was postponed due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

. Officially launching the film on 31 May 2023, the director announced the release date of the film as 6 August 2023. Following its release, the film garnered extensive acclaim from critics. Akram Abdulla of ''Dhauru'' lauded

's portrayal of the resolute protagonist, highlighting her embodiment of an unapologetically strong woman within a narrative that is deemed less substantial. Barring few scenes, Abdulla considered the film to offer an overall "thrilling experience".

References

{{Reflist, 30em Maldivian thriller films Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic Films shot in the Maldives Dhivehi-language films