Thadhu is a Maldivian three-part short film series developed by Madhoship Studio with regard to COVID-19 pandemic. The film is written and directed by Shamin Nizam. It narrates the consequences of the outbreak and perception of lockdown and new-normal in Male' City, through the eyes of three people. The project was developed in association with Health Emergency Operation Center, UNICEF and Health Protection Agency.

Premises

Ahmed

Ahmed Ibrahim (

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 ...

) and Aisha (

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 ...

), are an unhappy married couple on the verge of separation. The couple manages to save their marriage from the brink of divorce, as they slowly become attached to each other during the lockdown period. Ahmed tests positive to COVID-19 from random sampling. As he is taken to isolation, contract tracing from his case commences, where sample is taken from his mother, father and younger sister, Ameema (

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 ...

Amee

Ameema starts having panic attacks after the news of COVID-19 outbreak. As symptoms start developing, her mother (

Mariyam Haleem Mariyam Haleem is a Maldivian actress. Career 1997–2010: Initial releases with small roles Haleem made her film debut in Abdulla Sujau-directed '' Laila'' (1997) starring opposite Ali Shameel and Aishath Shiranee as depressed mother whose daugh ...

) is taken into the quarantine facility located in Hulhumale' which worsen Ameema's situation. The whole family becomes worried about their mother, with no news and updates from the concerned authorities.

Dr. Nathasha

Dr. Nathasha (

Nathasha Jaleel '' Nathasha Jaleel (born 15 March 1984) is a Maldivian film actress. Career Before pursuing a career in acting, Jaleel was an active TikTok user, which won her recognition as a performer. During this time, she was featured in several advertisemen ...

), is a hardworking frontline officer working her dream job in spite of all the barriers. Nathasha gets transferred to the Hulhumale' Medical Facility, where Ahmed's mother is quarantined. As Ahmed's mother suffers from lack of oxygen, her life becomes dependent on a medical ventilator. Despite the best effort from the doctors, she dies from the disease. Dr. Nathasha conveys the unfortunate news to the family. Ahmed blames himself for the demise of his mother, while the whole family becomes disoriented.

Cast and characters

as Ahmed Ibrahim *

as Aisha; Ahmed's wife * Sara Shuaib as Sara; Ahmed and Aisha's daughter *

as Ahmed and Ameema's mother *

Ali Farooq Ali Farooq (born 18 March 1954) is a Maldivian actor. Career In 2006, he collaborated with Amjad Ibrahim for romantic drama film '' Hithuge Edhun'' (2006), which tells the story of a disabled man, with Farooq playing the role of the father of S ...

q as Ahmed and Ameema's father *

as Ameema; the younger sister of Ahmed *

as Dr. Nathasha *

Ahmed Asim Ahmed Asim is an Maldivian actor, editor, director, and writer who works in Dhivehi films. Career Asim made his screen debut with a video single alongside Jamsheedha Ahmed. His first film release was Mohamed Abdul Hakeem and Mohamed Nasheed dire ...

as Yoosuf; the supportive husband of Dr. Nathasha

Soundtrack

Release and reception

Pre-screening of the film was organized on 3 December 2020 for dedicated staff working in the frontline. The short film series was released on 4 December 2020 in YouTube which was later made available for streaming through Baiskoafu. Upon release, the film received positive reviews from critics. Ifraz Ali from ''Dho?'' picked the film as year's best released project while particularly praising the cinematography by Shahaain Ali and back music. Impressed with the performance by

and

, Ifraz noted all the actors did full justice to their characters, though "dialogue delivery of

needs to be improved". Aishath Eeman from ''Avas'' calling the film "a relief to the pain of COVID" was equally impressed with the performance by Ravee and Rishmy while also highlighting the "spectacular work in combining each part in the screenplay".

References

{{Reflist Short film series Maldivian web series