July 16, 2019 (2019-07-16) – September 25, 2020 (2020-09-25)
Ehenas is a Maldivian dramaweb television series developed for Baiskoafu by Ravee Farooq, based on the 2012 novel Ehenas Hama Loabiveyey by Ahmed Iqbal. Produced by Ahmed Iqbal under IQ Productions, the series stars Mohamed Vishal, Aishath Rishmy, Ahmed Maseeh, Fathimath Sara Adam, Mohamed Yunaan and Sheela Najeeb in pivotal roles. The film follows the experiences of a long-term domestic and sexually abused male victim and how he faces the societal obstacles of marriage.[1]
Ahmed Niyaz (Mohamed Vishal) who is sidelined by his siblings and bullied since childhood for being regarded as effeminate and unmanly, secures a job at an office, where he meets Shazu (Fathimath Sara Adam), a bubbly and friendly young woman. Later that night, it was revealed that Niyaz is being sexually abused by someone.
Rayan (Ahmed Maseeh) who was sexually abused by his father during his childhood, confides in a friend. Niyaz slowly involves in office gatherings and celebrations while his colleague Hamdhan (Mohamed Yunaan) constantly harasses him. Niyaz grows closer to Shazu.
A conversation with Neena (Aminath Shamana) made Shazu realizes the great in Niyaz's personality. Shazu's complicated relationship with Nafiz (Ali Usam) is highlighted. Niyaz becomes slowly attracted to Neena. Rayan's life becomes a misery due to constant bullying and speculations.
Humiliated in front of his friends, Niyaz's brother, Shinaz (Ahmed Sharif) flew into an abusive rage once he reaches home. Niyaz confesses his feelings towards Neena which disturbs Shazu.
Niyaz undergoes a fashion makeover to propose Neena on her birthday but his plans backfires when she ultimately announces her marriage plans with her ex-boyfriend, Shamin (Mohamed Yamin Ali) and humiliates Niyaz.
Niyaz returns from a two-week leave. Back at office, he keeps avoiding Shazu while she tries her best to defend him against all bullies and to regain his trust. Much to her surprise, Shazu notices a condom at Niyaz's room and finds some of his earlier statements incoherent.
Shazu agrees to select paintings from Niyaz's collection to display in an exhibition, as a return he accedes to her request to join an office trip. Niyaz befriends with Hamdhan while Neena and Niyaz sort their differences out. Nafiz returns from abroad.
Rayan consults a counselor regarding his life circumstances. Nafiz and Shazu discuss their future plans, while she shows reluctance towards her choices. With the help of Hamdhan, Niyaz makes new experiences.
Fayaz cuts all his ties with Rayan which resulted in him taking a drastic step. Niyaz and Shazu had an intimate moment. She feels guilty about it and came to Nafiz asking for forgiveness but instead caught him having an affair with another woman. Later that night, Niyaz's mother, Shakeela (Sheela Najeeb) figures out a secret family revelation. Three weeks later, Shazu meets Niyaz at a furniture shop and is introduced to his wife Shaira (Aishath Rishmy) who is eight years older than him.
Ahmed Iqbal initiated penning the first draft of Ehenas Hama Loabiveyey in 2009 when he was posting stories on blogs.[2] In need of trying a different genre than his previous fictions, Iqbal focused the novel on major three themes; sexual abuse to men, domestic violence and bullying.[3] In an interview Iqbal said; "I initially struggled to develop the story considering the fact that its themes are labelled to be disgusting in the Maldivian culture".[3] After posting three to four episodes of his narration, Iqbal received positive comments from readers and decided to build the story further.[3]
Production
On 11 March 2016, it was announced that a new production studio, Me studio, has acquired the rights to develop a film based on Ahmed Iqbal's 2012 novel, Ehenas Hama Loabiveyey.[4] The production team expressed their interest to produce the film due to the "lukewarm response" the novel has received despite its "fragile issue" the original story touches upon.[4] They projected to start filming in May 2016 and release the film before the year ends.[4] However, on 30 January 2019, it was reported that the producers later changed the project to be developed as a web series rather than a feature film, citing the idea of expanding the story and hence "incidence can be fully elaborated and justified" in a series without being "trimmed" for a film.[5] A casting call was opened for interested actors on the same day by actress Aishath Rishmy.[5] Workshops were held for those actors who were selected to star in the film from the audition.[6] Director, Ravee Farooq revealed that majority of the actors are newcomers though the film will feature established actors like Sheela Najeeb and Mohamed Manik.[6] Filming for the series began on 15 February 2019.[5]
The teaser trailer of the series was released on 24 March 2019.[7] The official trailer came out on YouTube on 20 April 2019.[8] The first episode of the show was streamed on 16 July 2019.
Response
The series opened to mainly positive reviews from critics.[9] Aishath Maahaa reviewing from Dho? praised the realistic portrayal of mother-son relationship and acting performance of the newcomers; "At the helm of Ravee's brilliance, aided by stellar debut performances, Ehenas is an excellent product in overall".[10] Ifraz Ali from Dho? ranked the series in the third position of the year's best projects while particularly praising the first season for its suspense and the whole project for carefully maintaining a standard similar to the Hollywood television releases. However, with inclusion of characters beyond its book, the second series was found to be "a little problematic" for him with repeated dialogues and lagged character developments.[11]
^ abcMilna, Mariyam (28 June 2019). "Curtain Unveil for Ehenas". MuniAvas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
^Adhushan, Ahmed (25 March 2019). "Teaser of Ehenas released". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
