#SHOWBIZ: Beto Kusyairy's latest movie, a nod for Gayong brethren

New Straits Times

15-05-2025

AWARD-winning actor Beto Kusyairy has never labelled himself as an action actor. This is because the 45-year-old artiste, whose real name is Nurkusyairy Zakuan Osman, believes that as an actor, he needs to try and excel in various genres of productions.
"I've never specifically put the label of action actor for myself. All the characters I played would depend on the scripts and those I'd be working with, from other cast members to the directors," he says in a recent interview.
"At this stage, I'm no longer chasing popularity, fame, or even jobs. Instead, I only choose work that I like, that which has an impact on my career and the audience.
"An impact which would give the audience the vibe and feel of the performance and its content," he adds.
From a humble beginning taking the role of the mascot for children's TV production 'Along' in 2001, Beto has come a long way in his artistic journey, having earned himself some coveted awards.
These include the best supporting actor awards at the 32nd Malaysia Film Festival (FFM 32) in 2022 and the 2023 Asean International Film Festival & Awards (Aiffa 2023) for his role as Wahid in the 2022 epic blockbuster 'Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan'.
Despite not labelling himself as an action actor, Beto is back playing a character that requires him to show off his martial arts skills.
The feature film in question is the action drama and biopic movie, 'Gayong,' currently screening in cinemas nationwide.
In this movie, directed by Faisal Ishak and produced by Sol Pictures, Beto plays the role of the late Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman Uda Mohd Hashim, a silat grandmaster and the founder of Pertubuhan Seni Silat Gayong Malaysia.
This first instalment (the sequel of this film has also been filmed) recounts the beginnings of Meor and his martial arts from the late 1930s through to the Japanese occupation of Malaya.
Dedicated to the Gayong brethren
"Truthfully, I'm a little anxious to see public reaction to this role, as there are many anak Gayong (silat Gayong practitioners) out there. There are easily hundreds of thousands of them
"I myself am one," reveals Beto, who learnt the Malay martial art since he was just 7 years old.
"While I may not be the most skilful Gayong practitioner, I'm honoured to play this role in this film," shares Beto, who believes that this is his small contribution in honouring the grandmaster and his arts.
"I dedicate this contribution to him and all the 'anak' Gayong around the world," says Beto, humbly acknowledging his Gayong brethren, its founder, and his descendants.
He says that while the film production team had received the blessing from Datuk Meor's daughter, Datuk Paduka Siti Fadzilah, he did not have the opportunity to meet her due to her health condition.
Nevertheless, Beto feels fortunate to have met Datuk Meor's proteges, who include Abdul Majid Md Isa, also known as Pandak Majid, and Cikgu Awang Daud.
When he met the silat Gayong luminaries, Beto said he had the opportunity to chat about Datuk Meor.
"I wanted to find out more about his personality and his demeanour. It was not my intention to copy Datuk Meor in my screen portrayal, which I don't think would be justifiable anyway.
"It was just for me to get an idea of who he was and his personality, so that I could adapt to the script. As an actor, it is my responsibility to colour my character in enhancing the story," he explains.
Asked if 'Gayong' and his portrayal of Datuk Meor would bring the crowd to the cinemas like how phenomenal it had been for 'Mat Kilau' back in 2022, Beto admits that it is up to the moviegoers.