Top Maldivian Actor Koppe Isse Praises Shaina's Miss Universe Achievement

Famous film star Ismail Rasheed (Koppee Isse) has praised 21-year-old Mariyam Shaina Naseem, who represented the Maldives in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, for her courage and the good name she brought to the Maldives.

Advertisement Isse, who has won the Best Actor Award at the SAARC Film Festival, spoke about the challenges faced by artists and the film industry in the Maldives during Raajje TV's "Five Questions" program last Friday.

Isse noted that no government has adequately supported the film industry and artists. He questioned why artists and the film industry aren't being developed the same way sports are promoted.

Isse has previously won two national awards. These include Best Supporting Actor for the film "Hayla" and Best Actor for Moomin Fuad's "Loodifa." He has also received national recognition in the film industry.

"Having just one cinema is evidence of neglect towards artists": Isse

Isse said that the Maldives has excellent screenwriters and world-class artists. However, he feels that artists are being held back from advancing to the next level.

"The Maldives has strong writers who write films. It's not about lacking artists. Film actors can only be measured this way. This is an industry where many people earn money through their work. For the 500,000 people in the Maldives, there's only one cinema - if two cinemas are built, the returns would double. If three cinemas are built, it would triple," Isse said.

Isse gave an example of how the Maldives builds numerous football grounds and futsal courts. However, there's no vision to build cinemas across the country.

"Look at the number of football grounds. Think about why this isn't happening. The movie 'Kamana' that was recently released is proof. It was a huge success. Nobody goes to the Galolhu ground. But people pay 150 rufiyaa to go to the cinema," Isse said, demonstrating that Maldivians still love the film industry.

Isse said that conflicts arise among industry professionals because governments don't provide adequate facilities for the film industry.

"With only one cinema, we end up fighting among ourselves. Our producers end up fighting with us. Then when there's all this crying and complaining, they just put some icing on the cake by adding some color to the Olympus [theater]. This isn't that era anymore. For example, how important is it to have a cinema in Hulhumale? If people have to come here, they'll have to pay double. Just traveling by car costs 150 rufiyaa," - Film star Koppee Isse-

"You can't hold back artists no matter how hard you try":

Isse said that artists and art cannot be contained, citing the example of Shaina, who recently represented the Maldives globally after winning "Top Model Maldives 2022."

"We haven't been able to measure it that way. That's the truth. But look at the success artists achieve individually. They break through and make it happen. Just recently she went to Miss Universe. Finally, a Maldivian woman represented the entire world. Finally..." Isse said.

The Maldivian government issued a statement on October 30 saying that it does not endorse Maldivian participation in the Miss Universe pageant.

The pageant was held in Mexico from the 14th to 16th of this month. Despite opposition from some people to Shaina's participation, she competed against 130 countries and placed 30th.

Along with the Maldives, the UAE, Somalia, Belarus, Iran, and Uzbekistan also participated in this pageant for the first time.