Mohamed Manik (15 October 1969) is a Maldivian film actor, director and makeup artist.
Career
2002–10: Critical acclaim and breakthrough
Manik rose to widespread prominence in the television industry and was applauded for his performance in a dual role, Ahmed Ayaz and Mohamed Adheel, in the Abdul Faththaah-directed critically acclaimed television series, Thiyey Mihithuge Vindhakee (2003) which was considered as one of the best series production in television industry.
Fattah's horror film Eynaa was released in 2004, which appears Sheela Najeeb, Manik, Ahmed Shah, Khadheeja Ibrahim Didi, Ibrahim Jihad and Nashidha Mohamed as six colleagues who go on a picnic to a haunted uninhabited island and their battle for survival. The film garnered critical appreciation specially for its technical department and was a commercial success. At 4th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony, Manik was nominated as the Best Actor for his performance in the film.
Manik collaborated for the first with Fathimath Nahula in the critically appreciated and commercially prosperous project, a romantic drama film Zuleykha (2005) which narrates the journey of a nine years old girl seeking the lost love of her mother. Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Nisha, Ali Seezan, Sheela Najeeb and Mariyam Enash Sinan, Manik played the role of a father who loses his only child, which fetched him a Gaumee Film Award nomination as the Best Supporting Actor while winning a Miadhu Crystal Award in the same category. Thirty three housefull shows of the film were screened at the cinema making it the highest grossing Maldivian release of the year. This was followed by Amjad Ibrahim's romantic drama film Hithuge Edhun (2006) which narrates the story of a disabled man. Manik played the role of Shahil, an unfaithful husband who was later partially-paralyzed by a stroke, which resulted in another Gaumee Film Award nomination as the Best Actor.
In 2008, Manik appeared in Fathimath Nahula's romantic drama film, Yoosuf which depicts the story of a deaf and mute man (played by Yoosuf Shafeeu) who has been mistreated by a wealthy family, mocking his disability. Featuring an ensemble cast including Yoosuf Shafeeu, Niuma Mohamed, Sheela Najeeb, Ahmed Nimal, Fauziyya Hassan, Ravee Farooq, Zeenath Abbas and Ahmed Lais Asim, the film is considered to include most prominent faces in a Maldivian film. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was attained a blockbuster status at box office. A total of forty five housefull shows were screened at Olympus Cinema before the film was leaked online, however the producers were able to screen five more shows at the cinema making it one of the Maldivian all-time highest grossing movies. The film was Maldivian official entry at 2009 SAARC Film Festivals and holds the privilege of being the opening movie of the festival.
Manik played the kind-hearted boyfriend, in Ahmed Nimal-directed family drama film E Dharifulhu (2009) featuring an ensemble cast including Niuma Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Sheela Najeeb and Ahmed Nimal. At 1st Maldives Film Awards, Manik received his first nomination as Best Actor for his performance in the film while winning the Best Makeup award for the same film. He also received two nominations for the Best Choreography; "Vindhu Hithaa" and "Hiyy Mi Edhey".
Manik's first release of 2010 was Ali Shifau-directed family drama Dhin Veynuge Hithaamaigaa where he played the role of Nahees, a caring and devoted father/doctor whose priority was to ensure the well-being of his only daughter. The film showcases discrimination against the islanders, family revenge and fatherhood responsibilities. The film and his performance received positive response from critics. The film was believed to be a "huge improvement" over the recent Maldivian films. Being able to screen fifteen housefull shows of the film, it was declared to be a commercial success. He next starred opposite Sheela Najeeb and Yoosuf Shafeeu in Ahmed Nimal's horror film Zalzalaa En'buri Aun (2010). It was a spin-off to Aslam Rasheed's horror classic film Zalzalaa (2000) starring, Ibrahim Wisan, Ali Shameel and Niuma Mohamed. The film revolves around a mariage blanc, a murder of husband by his wife with secret lover and avenging of his death from everyone involved in the crime. He played the role of Sharim, a greedy doctor, who falls in love with his patient and execute her husband for money. The film received mixed response from critics and it did average business at box office. At the 6th Gaumee Film Awards, Mohamed received Best Supporting Actor award nomination for his performance in the film.