Following the story of a washed-up detective who strives to solve his first case in 13 years, Abdulla Mahmood AKA Whatsmahmood’s Furjaan Al Bahrain is a medley of emotion, drama, comedy, and a high-intensity police-thief chase, and a surprise ending culminating in a cliff-hanger. All of this – packed into one 13-and-a-half-minute short film that premiered over the weekend.
Combining his passion for music and filmmaking, Whatsmahmood has set off on an ambitious goal – to pair each of his monthly songs with a short film. He’s off to a good start.
At the heart of the movie, the moment of seeming vindication is when Mahmood’s crowning jewel – Furjaan Al Bahrain plays in the background. For the artist, it’s all about breaking creative boundaries. As his first venture into this hybrid storytelling format – short films, in which he not only played the lead role but also took on multiple responsibilities behind the scenes – Furjaan Al Bahrain makes for an entertaining watch.
We recently caught up with the artist to find out what’s coming up in his ambitious plan for 2025.
It’s the classic underdog tale—a washed-up detective who hasn’t cracked a case in 13 years. Defying his superiors, he takes one last shot to prove them wrong and reclaim his place as a hero.
Dancing to music in a video feels a bit superficial now. If I’m going to direct my audience to a visual platform, I want to offer something more meaningful—something with real value. A short film felt like the perfect way to do that.
Oh, there are just so many. Being able to create this film surrounded by my friends and family, with everyone pitching in for their specific scenes, made the process incredibly special. We were all working closely together to craft something truly funny, and in the process, we ended up laughing for hours. That’s actually why the film took so long to make—we were simply enjoying every moment.
Part of it comes from the classic character stereotype in American crime TV shows, but there’s also a deeper comedic layer that adds meaning to his journey. He’s desperately trying to be a hero again, to prove himself and regain acceptance—and that struggle gives the story its heart.
Yes, you’re right. It’s a bit of a challenge, but I don’t fear failure. I’d rather push myself, create, and see just how many I can actually complete for my 2025 challenge.
I can’t reveal too much just yet, haha—but I will say this… the cream will rise to the top.
Back in school, I was into theatre—ever since 2003. Performing and being on stage was something I loved from an early age, so bringing that back 22 years later feels special. Jimi Hendrix was the reason I picked up a guitar, but when it came to performance, my sister and I were mesmerized by the undisputed genius of Michael Jackson.
It wasn’t until university that I seriously considered a music career. I’ve always preferred to embrace the journey rather than chase a single moment of success. That being said, every venue, every promoter, every musician—everyone in the scene—plays a part in shaping the success we see. As cliché as it may sound, we’re all in this together, and I’m forever grateful for what it was, what it is, and what it will become.
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