She was also signed to play a helpless yet caring mother opposite Reeko Moosa Manik, Shiznee and Jamsheedha Ahmed in Hussain Adhil-directed "Sirru". Amjad Ibrahim-directed "Ainbehge Loabi Firiehge Vaajib", starring Arifa, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Jamsheedha Ahmed and Niuma Mohamed was released in 2000. The film revolves around a woman who has been mistreated by her step-mother and forced into a marriage she disapproves. Arifa played the role of Zahidha, the villainous mother who treats her step-daughter badly. At the 3rd Gaumee Film Awards, Arifa was bestowed with Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in the film. The same year, she starred in another Amjad Ibrahim's direction, a comedy drama film, "Majubooru Loabi" (2000) opposite Mariyam Nisha and Yoosuf Shafeeu which focuses on a failing marriage of a comprehensive man and an emotionally immature woman. She next starred in Ali Shameel's drama film "Hithi Nimun" (2001) opposite Mohamed Shavin, Mariyam Nisha and Sheereen Abdul Wahid, which follows the storyline of a stubborn young man who abandons his girlfriend when he discovers about her pregnancy. She then worked for Aishath Ali Manik-directed "Hiiy Edhenee" (2001) which was an unofficial remake of Dharmesh Darshan's romantic film "Dhadkan" (2000) starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Shilpa Shetty in the lead role. Cast opposite Assad Shareef and Sheela Najeeb, she played the role of a caring mother loves her illegitimate son whole-heartedly. In 2002, Arifa featured alongside Mariyam Nisha, Yoosuf Shafeeu, Mariyam Nazima, Moosa Zakariyya and Ahmed Shimau in Shimau-directed family drama film "Loabi Nuvevununama". Written by Fathimath Nahula, the story narrates the journey of a handicapped man who has been betrayed in love and unknowingly marries his brother's love interest. She plays the gluttonous mother who forcibly arranges her daughter's marriage for money. The film was a critical and commercial success. The following year, she collaborated with Fathimath Nahula for her romantic film "Kalaayaanulaa" (2003), which follows a happily married couple (played by Yoosuf Shafeeu and Aishath Shirani) where the husband decided to marry his childhood bestfriend (played by Niuma Mohamed) when his wife fails to sexually please him.