#SHOWBIZ: Guy next door turns edgy gangster
OFTEN playing the role of romantic heroes and guys next door, Shukri Yahaya, 36, is gradually learning to embrace his "darker side".
The Melakan, who began his acting career in 2011 after being discovered by director Osman Ali through 'Jiwa Taiko', is marking 2025 with his most challenging and "shocking" character.
In director Syafiq Yusof's blockbuster movie 'Blood Brothers: Bara Jiwa', Shukri takes on the role of an "edgy gangster" named Fadlan, and describes that character as a person who is the "opposite" of his real self.
NICE GUY
"Oh, my God! Fadlan is really the devil incarnate of Shukri," he said when met during a recent interview.
"He may initially appear to be a Mr Nice Guy, a good friend of the heroes Ariff and Ghaz, but slowly we see what a monster he is."
Shukri added that Fadlan is on the surface a successful businessman and high achiever, a true "blood brother" to every member of his boss Datuk Zul's gang.
"Like Anakin Skywalker in 'Star Wars', we soon learn that he has gone to the Dark Side fast.
"I don't want to reveal the details for those who haven't watched the movie yet but go and see it in the cinema and find out. It's worth it," said Shukri.
DREAM
Shukri added that playing Fadlan was a dream come true, as he has always dreamed of playing a villain.
"From day one, I had always thought of graduating from a good guy to a really bad guy.
"Even though villains are despised by viewers, most remember them better than the heroes especially if the actor plays the villain role convincingly, as Datuk Rosyam Nor did in the 'KL Gangster' movies.
"I thank the wonderful directors Syafiq Yusof and Abhilash Chandra that I am finally playing a major antagonist and I'll always remember Fadlan as a milestone in my career," he said.
SERIES
Shukri has appeared in television series including 'Asam Pedas Untuk Dia' (2015), '7 Hari Mencintaiku' (2016), 'Andainya Takdir' (2017), 'Andainya Takdir 2' (2018), 'Kerana Dia Manusia Biasa' (2019), '7 Hari Mencintaiku 2' (2020), 'Rindu Awak Separuh Nyawa' (2021) and 'Andai Itu Takdirnya' (2023).
'Blood Brothers' is his debut in a movie by Syafiq Yusof and his company, Skop Productions.
"When Syafiq and Abhilash told me I was going to star in 'Blood Brothers', I literally jumped for joy.
"I was so excited to star in my first major action movie, having mostly played guys next door."
TASKMASTER
While Syafiq and Abhilash were taskmasters, Shukri "got along great" with them throughout the year-long production process.
"I'm thankful that I underwent five months of martial arts training to look the part of Fadlan. I was battered and bruised, but that's what's needed to deliver a stellar performance," he said.
"It was super challenging to deliver and visualise the directors' vision, but thank God, both of them were helpful and friendly.
"They knew just what they wanted and what I needed in bringing Fadlan to life."
SYAMSUL YUSOF
While Shukri is delighted to have worked with Syafiq, he considers Syafiq's elder brother Syamsul as his "dream director".
"I really want to work with Syamsul. He is one of the best in town and he challenges all actors to rise beyond their comfort zones.
"Furthermore he is also an actor and he understands the needs of fellow actors," he said.
JERICHO ROSALES
When he first began acting, Shukri was nicknamed the Jericho Rosales of Malaysia because of his uncanny resemblance to the Filipino actor.
"Even my family members call me Jericho! I haven't met the man himself, even though he has been in KL a few times.
"But if I get to work with him, I would be most honoured, for he is a humble, down to earth star."
RUSSELL CROWE
Is there any sort of character that he dreams of playing but has not done so?
"I'd love to play characters like Russell Crowe's in 'A Beautiful Mind', a man who suffers from serious health problems yet beats the odds and comes back stronger than ever," he said.
"I love inspirational characters who battle great challenges in life, and win."
HOLLYWOOD
While Shukri always wants to be based in his home country as he has a tendency to feel homesick, starring in a Hollywood movie is his ultimate dream.
"As a kid I always dreamt of starring in a Hollywood movie. Like most Malaysians, I grew up watching Hollywood movies, especially science-fiction, animated and action movies.
"If I were to be offered just a small role that would be a blessing from God."
BANGSA MALAYSIA
Shukri plans to be more involved in feature films.
"I want to penetrate international markets, by starring in Singaporean, Indonesian or Filipino films.
"It would be good for me to be a guest star in Chinese, Tamil or English language films.
"That's the spirit of Bangsa Malaysia, Zizan Razak has appeared in Chinese language films, and Rosyam has appeared in Chinese, Tamil and English language films.
"It would be great to follow in their footsteps," he said.
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