Niuma


Niuma is a 2010 drama film directed by Niuma Mohamed. Produced by Mohamed Abdulla under Dhekedheke Ves Production, the film stars Niuma Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Ahmed Nimal, Mohamed Manik and Sheela Najeeb in pivotal roles. The film was released on 25 October 2010. Entire film was shot in B. Goidhoo.

Plot

Nizam, a photographer, is a pervert who is sexually attracted to his sister sibling. His younger brother Nihan is the decent son who helps his father Nizar with his business. Nizar's only daughter Niuma is a reticent girl who doesn't talk often. Nihan's friend Shiyaz tries to befriend with Niuma. Her mother Wafiyya disapproved Niuma talking to Shiyaz. Nihan married his lover Aminath despite his father's dissent.
On her birthday, Aminath discovered Niuma lying on the floor after a suicide attempt. That night, Aminath heard Niuma pleading and fighting back. She peeped through the window to discern Nizar leaving Niuma's room. On sharing the news with Nihan, he falsified it saying Niuma has migraine and her father goes to her room to give medication. However, she heard Nizar threatening Niuma if she utter a word about it, he will torture and expel Niuma and her mother. Frustrated for not doing anything to thwart his father, she begged Nihan to save Niuma.
Aminath gets pregnant and she decided to move to her parents'. Nihan entreated her not to go by punishing for someone else's crime. That night, she heard Niuma sobbing again and found Nizam coming out of Niuma's room this time. Unable to bear the pain, Aminath left the house. After a heated argument between Nihan and Nizam, Niham decided to report their crime, only to be stopped by their mother in fear of being exposed to the island. Shiyaz meets Niuma and proposed to her. Nizar sees them together and punished her by forcibly cutting her hair. When Shiyaz comes to her house sent by Nihan to deliver some goods from the shop, Niuma left a note to him. Niuma removed her scarf in front of Shiyaz and reveals her torture. Shiyaz decided to marry Niuma.
The next day, Wafiyya finds out about Niuma's pregnancy and blamed it on Shiyaz. The same night, Niuma left to India with her father to get an abortion. Rumors start spreading about Niuma's pregnancy and about child's father. Nihan provided a phone to Niuma and changed the lock of room. Niuma revealed the truth to Shiyaz and he leaves her to her misery. That night, Niuma shaves her head, wears ornaments and seduce his father, only to brutally murders him with a stick. Afterwards, she carefreely walks on the road with the stick on her hand and blood splashed all over her. She goes to the police station. Two police officers visits the house and arrest Nizam.

Cast

Release and response

Upon release, the film received widespread acclaim from critics, praising the performance of actors and the dialogues by Ibrahim Waheed. Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru wrote: "the film is thoroughly enjoyable. The memorable performances, awesome dialogue forced me to book another show of the film". Ahmed Naif from Sun echoed similar sentiments though criticized the colour exposure of the film while praising the performance of the actors; "Niuma's acting is the best I have seen from a Maldivian film. In the scene where Nimal cuts her hair, she brought the perfect expression and emotions to it, nobody else could have justified the role as how she did". Being able to screen over thirty housefull shows of the film, it was declared a Mega-Hit at box office, and the highest grossing Maldivian release of the year.

Accolades