Badhalu

Badhalu
Directed by	Naaisha Nashid
Country of origin	Maldives
Original language	Divehi
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	3
Production
Executive producers	Mohamed Mirusan Abdulla Hafiz
Cinematography	Mohamed Aiman
Editor	Rafhan Shareef
Running time	13-20 minutes
Original release
Release	April 5 (2023-04-05) – April 23, 2023 (2023-04-23)

Badhalu is a Maldivian anthology web series consisting three short segments directed by Naaisha Nashid. The first chapter titled Friends stars Washiya Mohamed and Aisha Ali as two best friends who figures out their true colors, the second segment titled The Usual features Ahmed Sharif and Myeha Adam as a couple heading for divorce while the last segment features Maleeha Waheed as a soon to be wife trapped in a difficult situation.

Cast

Friends

• Washiya Mohamed as Reema
• Aisha Ali as Zai
• Ahmed Sharif as Haisham

The Usual

• Ahmed Sharif as Shamin Ali
• Myeha Adam as Mariyam Lara Muhaimin

Engaged

• Maleeha Waheed as Reena
• Aminath Shuha as Mariyam
• Fathimath Visama as Mariyam's friend

Chapters

No.	Title	Directed by	Original release date
1	"Friends"	Naaisha Nashid	April 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
Reema and Zai, longtime friends and roommates, are in the process of relocating to a new apartment after three years together. While packing, they engage in a candid discussion about the deceitful behavior of some of their other friends. Reema's phone runs out of battery, prompting her to borrow Zai's phone to make a call. This call inadvertently exposes a devastating secret: Zai has been having an affair with Reema's boyfriend, Haisham, behind her back.
2	"The Usual"	Naaisha Nashid	April 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
Lara and Shamin set off on their planned farewell journey, a culmination of three months of preparation. They visit their favorite breakfast spot, indulging in their customary morning meal. This final rendezvous allows them to reflect on their shared history, from their initial meeting to their school days. Ultimately, they enter the courtroom to formalize their divorce, acknowledging that while circumstances change, the memories remain eternally unchanged.
3	"Engaged"	Naaisha Nashid	April 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)
While preparing for her upcoming wedding, Reena manages to complete her dress fitting and settle on the design for the wedding cards. However, she can't shake the feeling of being neglected by her fiancé, Arham, throughout the process. When Reena asks Arham to meet that night for finalizing their wedding plans, he brushes her off, citing work commitments and a busy schedule. On her way home, Reena shares a cab with two other passengers who unintentionally expose a secret, causing Reena to come to a stark realization about Arham's disloyalty.

Release and reception

The first chapter of the series titled "Friends" was released on 5 April 2023 through Baiskoafu. This segment explores the bond between two friends, Reema and Zai, who heavily rely on each other but are left heartbroken when the shocking affair between Zai and Reema's boyfriend is revealed. The subsequent segment, featuring Ahmed Sharif and Myeha Adam, was released on April 14, 2023. It portrays the lives of two childhood friends who become a couple and the tough decisions they make to separate for each other's well-being. The final segment tells the story of Reena, who discovers her fiancé's affair in a challenging situation. All three segments have received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for the sharp-edged premise and the outstanding acting skills of the lead cast.