To the makers of Dhoadhi – give them their flowers

This article includes mild spoilers. 

The film avoids the familiar tropes of melodrama. There are no grand musical sequences, no violent confrontations or sweeping declarations of love, no slow-motion beach runs under the harsh equatorial noon sun in blindingly bright costumes. Emotion is built gradually and with restraint. Love is explored in forms that feel grounded and deeply human. Tension emerges through stillness and subtlety, carried with remarkable strength in the quiet, expressive performances of both Lana Jaleel and Amira Ismail.

At its heart, Dhoadhi offers a sincere portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship, one that would resonate profoundly with many Maldivian women. The film explores a kind of love rarely foregrounded in local cinema: maternal connection, womb-deep attachment, and platonic devotion – bonds that are powerful precisely because they are understated.

The sense of betrayal when Lana meets her father is rendered without thunderous sound design or torrents of tears. It is conveyed through a muted, crushing sense of abandonment, the silent heartbreak of an earnest and innocent daughter. It is a moment of such tenderness that, as an audience member, one feels an instinctive urge to reach through the screen and comfort her.

Lana's struggles with identity and her shifting dynamics with those around her are depicted with sensitivity against the restless backdrop of a chaotic Malé. True to its genre, Dhoadhi presents raw emotional exchanges from a young person's perspective – unfiltered and free from unnecessary dramatic theatrics. For older viewers, it feels almost like stepping into a time capsule, revisiting the emotional intensity and uncertainty of being 19 or 20. Movanu and his dedicated team have captured this experience with notable grace.

There are, admittedly, a few minor uneven patches where the narrative flow feels slightly inconsistent. Yet these small imperfections do little to diminish the film's overall charm and emotional impact. Dhoadhi being released and showcased on the Olympus screen is, in itself, a historic moment, signalling the beginning of a fresh creative movement and a much-needed renewal for Dhivehi cinema. The film speaks directly to a younger audience through a story that reflects their realities, and such demographic expansion is essential to revitalising local film culture. In this respect, Dhoadhi succeeds.

Coming-of-age cinema is, of course, far from a new concept globally, particularly within Western film industries, where it has been explored through countless styles and narrative forms. What sets Dhoadhi apart is how it pushes boundaries within Dhivehi cinema, not only in its storytelling but also through its cinematography and narrative delivery. A youthful cast of first-time feature actors, combined with a predominantly young crew bringing a shared vision to life, is something rarely – if ever – witnessed in the local film industry.

The premiere drew an impressive gathering of local film veterans and well-known creative figures from across disciplines. It was an evening that bridged generations, seasoned industry names alongside a younger wave of artists, all brought together in anticipation and curiosity.

As the lights dimmed and the stage came alive, the crew was introduced to the audience. Actor Zaleeshan hosted the presentation, offering a brief overview of the project before inviting director Movanu to say a few words. With the audience eagerly awaiting the screening, Movanu kept his remarks short and sincere, thanking those in attendance and his team, and noting that while the film may not be perfect, it is an honest one – a statement that ultimately reflects the spirit of the work itself.

“This is the kind of film we need in Dhivehi cinema now. And it's the work of a completely new team and they did one hell of a good job. It was very fresh and the talents were good. I just loved it” - Ravi Farooq, director. 

“A refreshing movie.” - Aishath Nami, producer, director and creative. 

“Varah salhi movie. Was expecting Mo to make something cool and he did that.” - Sotti, photographer. 

“I really loved Dhoadhi. I feel like for the first time I am seeing young people and teenagers represented. And teenagers are not represented enough in Dhivehi cinema so I am very glad to watch it for the first time and the movie was brought together so beautifully, very natural and I loved the art direction. It shows a love for Male’ while showing its flaws as well” - Kylene Mohamed Ali, 18-year-old. 

“I think the movie is very nice. very relatable and fun, the mom’s part, the kid’s part. So when it is relatable its fun and its nice to see this side of Raajje” - Justin, makeup artist. 

“The movie was beautiful, we want more.” - 40-year-old man. 

“I really loved the movie. I think everyone of us can relate to it and as a girl I can relate to a lot of the scenes. So it was nice seeing it portrayed. I don’t think we have seen it in a movie, I mean we have seen it in Western movies but Dhoadhi is relatable because I don't think we have ever seen a movie like that here. And it was very emotional in a way like you're not balling your eyes out but you can connect to it so it makes you cry a little bit at the end. And it’s so nice to see at the end where the mother and daughter reconnect so I feel like I can personally really connect to it.” - 27-year-old woman. 

“The movie was really good. Considering the films we have seen in local cinema Dhoadhi is very unique. I just want to know what happens after Rush’s studio gets destroyed and will there be a part two. But this film is very unique and the cast was really good and Movanu did a really good job.” - Haseen, 17-year-old.

“In terms of cinematography I would say it was brought out really well, amongst the actors I’d say Shahudhaan did great. He put out a natural level of acting.

I’d say the two main female casts in the movie didn't get a proper icebreaker and showcased a very awkward tone even though they played the role of best friends. Again, the shots itself were amazing, little flaws that I caught on through the storyline for example Yaish was wearing a cast but asked Mal if she needed a ride and also the party scene where he was dancing around without a leg cast.

Overall when I put a lot of thought as a creative into the movie I understand the storyline but when I tried to gather it from a collective point from my girlfriend she was a bit confused of how things aligned towards the end. 

So from what Movanu has done for Shepherd in terms of short films and ads I think he could've done a lot better. Definitely a learning curve for him and looking forward to more” - 22-year-old man. 

“I really loved it. I think considering it was made in a short period of time it was really good” - 30-year-old woman.

“Dhoadhi movie is fresh to see and unique with fresh faces and giving a new generation of filmmakers a chance like this helps to bring out new stories. This is a good opportunity for the new generation of filmmakers and I loved the film and Mo did great, Shahudhaan, Inna and Lana were so good.” - Aishi, 21-year-old. 

“We really enjoyed it.” - 40-year-old woman. 

“When I came to Olympus I wasn't expecting anything like this. I’ve never seen a movie like Dhoadhi in the Dhivehi film industry so after seeing this I’m assuming there will be more movies like this ‘cause it’s a story that needs to be told and it’s not really out there. I really liked all the characters especially Shareesh playing somebody else, a completely different person and the camera crew was really good too.” - woman in her mid-twenties. 

“I thought it was a good first feature film that broke a lot of barriers in Maldivian filmmaking. Something that is needed in order to truly feel relatable for the people.” - Nail, 26-year-old. 

“Dhoadhi was such an amazing movie. There was never a dull moment, and from start to finish I was hooked. It is relatable, and I saw many parallels to my own youth, especially the mother daughter dynamic. The actors did an amazing job portraying the characters. It's honest, original, and a breath of fresh air in the Maldives film industry. Kudos to Mo and the team. I can't wait to watch more of their creations.” - Mish, 32-year-old. 

“The movie is different from the majority of the local movies and I think it has to do with the young crowd. The targeted demographic of the local film industry is very high but I don’t think that really applies for Dhoadhi. The lead actors had depth to the characters and I really liked Lana Jaleel’s acting in the crash out scene. The colours and composition and audio design is really nice. And the small details. But I feel like Olympus could invest in a better sound system.” - Ahil, 20-year-old. 

“I loved how accurate it was with the current society within, especially with the younger generation, it was extremely accurate including how the household is usually here and of course don’t forget the absent father and the ongoing absent parents in fact, and how children are, like to all the kids here who tend to rebel continuously just to feel something in their life just because they want to feel in control of themselves, It’s beautiful how this movie has portrayed everything. It’s really accurate and I really really love it. And at the end of the day. It’s the people at home waiting for you. You should never forget them.” - Han, 21-year-old. 

“I’ve watched a few Dhivehi movies recently, most of which focus on romance. Dhoadhi offered a completely unique experience. The production style stood out and felt like a refreshing change from the usual, and the cinematography carried a nostalgic tone that added depth to the film.

What stood out to me was how relatable it felt. It portrayed situations and emotions that many people go through in their everyday lives, making the story feel genuine rather than forced or exaggerated. And that sense of realism set it apart from other films.

Dhoadhi was a great viewing experience. It was different, meaningful, and emotional. The ending left me curious and wanting to know what happened next.” - Shaaif, 27-year-old.