Yoosuf Shafeeu | |
|---|---|
 Shafeeu at Niuma Mohamed's Silver Jubilee celebration event, 2019 | |
| Born | 20 October 1975 Male', Maldives |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, writer, editor, director, producer |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 |
Yoosuf Shafeeu also known as Eupe (20 October 1975) is a Maldivian film actor, editor, writer, and director. One of the most successful filmmakers and actors in Maldivian Cinema, Shafeeu is the recipient of a number of awards, including eight Gaumee Film Awards, and a Maldives Film Award; ; holding the record of collecting maximum Gaumee Film Award for Best Actor. In 2003, the Government of Maldives honoured him with the National Award of Recognition.
Shafeeu made his career debut Amjad Ibrahim for his commercially successful comedy drama film Qurbaani (1999) followed by Hussain Adil's college romance Hiyy Halaaku, an unofficial remake of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). Despite receiving criticism for his performances in Amjad Ibrahim's horror films; Sandhuravirey (2002), Dhonkamana (2003) and first Maldivian sequel Sandhuravirey 2 (2004), Shafeeu was met with critical and commercial success with Fathimath Nahula-directed Naaummeedhu (2000), Loabi Nuvevununama (2002) and Kalaayaanulaa (2003). His performance as a confused husband in Kalaayaanulaa, a vulnerable father diagnosed with cancer in Fathimath Nahula's Zuleykha (2005) and a short tempered husband in the Abdul Faththaah's critically acclaimed Vehey Vaarey Therein (2003) resulted in three Gaumee Film Award nominations for Best Actor, ultimately winning it for the latter.
Shafeeu defended the trophy in the following ceremony with his performance as a conflicted husband Ahmed Nimal's romantic film Vaaloabi Engeynama (2006) while being nominated in the same category for the horror film, Hukuru Vileyrey (2006). In 2015, he created records by holding maximum trophies for Gaumee Film Award for Best Actor by winning the award for the third consecutive ceremony with Moomin Fuad's suspense thriller Happy Birthday (2009), among his other nominations; Fathimath Nahula's romantic drama film, Yoosuf (2008) and his own direction Veeraana (2010). From the year 2009 onward, majority of films starring Shafeeu were written and directed by himself, including films like Hiyy Rohvaanulaa (2009), 01 January (2009), Mendhamuge Evaguthu (2010), Loaiybahtakaa (2009), Insaaf where the last two mentioned films garnered him two Maldives Film Awards nominations for Best Director.
He was later noted for breaking his image as a romantic lover and experimenting with different genres. In 2013 Shafeeu featured in Ali Shifau-directed horror film Fathis Handhuvaruge Feshun 3D; first Maldivian 3D film and prequel where played the iconic role of Jinaa, which mainly received criticism. He then committed with his suspense thriller films; 24 Gadi Iru (2014) and Dhevansoora (2018), followed by his comedy films, Baiveriyaa (2016), Naughty 40 (2017) and the first Maldivian horror comedy film 40+ (2019).