Kanbalhi

Kanbalhi is a 2024 Maldivian film written by Ilyas Waheed and co-directed by Waheed and Ahmed Ifnaz Firag. Co-produced by Waheed and Asim Ali under IFilms, the film stars Nuzuhath Shuaib, Washiya Mohamed, Sharaf Abdulla, Sara Binth Mohamed Fariq and Ahmed Ifnaz Firag in pivotal roles. The film was released on 1 February 2024.

Premise

Following a devastating loss, a wife and her six-year-old daughter seek solace in a fresh start, moving into a new apartment. However, their hopes for a peaceful beginning are shattered as they encounter a series of inexplicable occurrences. As eerie events escalate, threatening their sense of safety and sanity, the pair must unravel the mysteries surrounding their new home before they are consumed by its sinister secrets.

Cast

Nuzuhath Shuaib as Aalia
Washiya Mohamed as Aalin
Sharaf Abdulla as Imma
Ahmed Ifnaz Firag as Akram
Sara Binth Mohamed Fariq
Ravee Farooq as Areesh
Thaathi Adam as Shifana
Mohamed Ishfan as Saamih
Moosa Aleef as Riyaz
Hazif Mohamed as Nimal
Ali Nadheeh as Hassan
Fathimath Latheefa as Mareena
Mohamed Afrah
Mohamed Najah
Ahmed Rauf
Hassan Saamih Mohamed
Fathimath Visama
Dheena Ahmed

Production

In October 2023, director Ilyas Waheed announced the third feature film under IFilms as Kanbalhi, a horror film co-directed with actor Ahmed Ifnaz Firag. First schedule of filming began in October and continued until November, as the team got pre-occupied with the marketing and promotion of Free Delivery. Filming was resumed on 6 December 2023. The primary cast of the film including Nuzuhath Shuaib, Washiya Mohamed, Sharaf Abdulla, Ahmed Ifnaz Firag and six years old Sara Binth Mohamed Fariq were announced in October 2023, followed by other members of the cast slated to feature is supporting roles. On 16 December 2023, actor Ravee Farooq was roped in to play a significant role in the film.

Release

Kanbalhi was theatrically released on 1 February 2024.