Veteran Maldivian film director Abdul Fathah has passed away suddenly at the age of 54.

Fathah died on Tuesday evening while receiving treatment at Dhidhoo Hospital after suffering a heart attack, according to close sources.

At the time of his death, Fathah was actively involved in politics and was campaigning for the upcoming Local Council Elections scheduled for April. He had secured the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) ticket to contest for the post of President of Kelaa Council and was known as a strong supporter of the ruling party.

Fathah was a well-known and respected figure in the Maldivian film industry, with a career spanning several decades. He directed and contributed to numerous films and television productions and was widely recognised for his work in filmmaking and direction.

In recognition of his contributions to the arts, Fathah was awarded the National Award of Recognition in 2004. He went on to receive several national-level awards in filmmaking and direction over the years. His most recent major accolade came in 2019, when he won the Best Director Award at the National Film Awards for his film Hadhdhu.

Fathah’s death marks a significant loss to both the Maldivian film industry and the political community, with many remembering him as a dedicated filmmaker and an active public figure.