Latest news with #Zahiril
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Four popular stars try their hand at directing
MENTION the names of Fattah Amin, Zahiril Adzim, Siti Saleha Baharom and Janna Nick, and fans of television and cinema will automatically recognise them as credible and versatile actors and actresses of Malaysian showbiz. The four of them are set to make their mark as directors soon, and their maiden television dramas on TV3 are set to be screened this month. Fattah, Zahiril, Siti Saleha and Janna are participants in TV3's latest initiative 'Dari Layar Ke Lensa' (From Screen To Lens), which features actors and actresses taking on the role of directors. TOUCH Janna, Siti Saleha, Zahiril and Fattah will each bring his or her own touch to their directorial works, which encompass both comedy and serious drama. Fattah said: "Each telefilm presented is the result of our original ideas. Some are inspired by true stories, novels, and personal experiences." Siti Saleha said: "All of us were directly involved from the early stages of project development all the way to location scouting sessions." HIJAB Siti Saleha's drama is 'Rentak Di Hati' (July 5, 10pm) starring Auni Yusri, Zhen Ning, Khatijah Tan and Amanda Tan. It tells the story of a woman with a hijab who is a lawyer by day and a disc jockey by night. Fattah has 'Noktah Dosa' (July 12, 10pm) starring Nafiz Muaz, Elvina Mohamad, Fattah Amin and Jasmin Hamid. It is about a post-graduate student who falls in love with a prostitute while doing research. AUTISTIC Janna's drama is 'Susu Lima Kupang' (July 19, 10pm) starring Trisha Ooi, Adam Haris, Fazlina Ahmad Daud and Namron. It is about an orphaned girl who is determined to get a new radio for her autistic mother. Zahiril's drama is 'Pencuri Rumah Iman' (July 26, 10pm) and tells the story of a robber whose mission is botched and finds refuge at the house of an imam. STORYTELLER Zahiril said: "I've largely been inspired by Mamat Khalid, who is a superb storyteller. "While I've yet to reveal my cast of actors and actresses, all I can say for now is that they are a popular ensemble cast. "This telemovie is really a comedy. I love comedies but recognise that they are a lot more difficult than dramas." COMEDY Zahiril has great respect for comedians because comedy is an art form, and it is never easy to make others laugh. "Being a director is quite a headache job, but it's a natural upgrade for any actor. As a director I must think on my feet all the time to make sure that my movie or drama is as good as it gets," he said. "It's always been my dream to one day become a director but having said that I will not abandon acting as I love it." COMMERCIALS Fattah said that he had directed television commercials in the past, and the good thing about being a director is that he can "change the storyline". "As a director, I can make the necessary amendments to ensure that the story is better," he said, adding that he was a fan of comedies. "I also love films that are inspired by novels, and dramas that are based on true stories," he said. INDONESIAN Fattah, who will be starring in an Indonesian horror film soon, said that he will be playing a character in his new telemovie, namely the former husband of the heroine (Elvina). "The film is entirely my idea, but the cast was suggested by the producers," he said. "I must admit that it is not easy for an actor to direct and act, it is kind of awkward." GOAT Janna said that her telemovie was "{interesting" as she had to direct a goat and some children. "Trisha plays a mother, while Aiman is her son who is very close to a goat," she said. "This telemovie is actually a serious drama, just what I like. And it is based on a true story." Janna filmed her drama a month ago, and it took her a week to wrap up. SKILLS She added that 'Dari Layar Ke Lensa' was a great platform for actors and actresses to upgrade their skills. "Directing has taught me a lot about teamwork, and it has always been my dream to direct a story which involves strong and independent women characters," said Janna, who admires Erma Fatima, Ogy Ahmad Daud, Datuk Fauziah Nawi and Ellie Suriaty Omar. EDUCATIONAL Siti Saleha said that she wanted her telemovie to be a light-hearted yet educational one. "It's based on a true story, but I've made it into a romantic comedy," she said, adding that the late Yasmin Ahmad was her biggest inspiration. "We took a week to complete it, and I'm happy that my ensemble cast worked great together and had great chemistry. "It is tiring being a director, but the end result is truly satisfying, especially when there is an interesting script." HUMAN Siti Saleha loves human interest stories and aspires to be a screenwriter someday. "I won't abandon acting, though. But in the years to come I'll be going for some directing and screenwriting courses, and that's a good upgrade. "I love stories about people, especially women, who face challenges, overcome them and emerge stronger."
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Extra-ordinary riot of laughs
MARTABAT: Misi Berdarah is not trying to be a polished, award-winning epic and that is precisely what makes it such a delightful surprise. In the recent years, local comedies often struggle to hit the mark and yet, this action-packed satire crashes onto the screen with the enthusiasm of a stage extra finally getting a speaking role. Directed by Zahiril Adzim and Adrian Teh, the film is unapologetically loud, self-aware and joyfully unhinged and somehow, it works. Set in the chaotic underworld of aspiring actors who are desperate to become something more than 'just background', the film takes the audience on a wild ride through ambition, delusion and unexpected bromances. It is the kind of story that should not work on paper but thrives on screen thanks to its bold characters, punchy humour and a clear love for the absurdities of Malaysia's entertainment industry. Love at second sight Martabat: Misi Berdarah might not scream 'must-watch' at first glance. The title sounds overly dramatic, the poster looks like a fever dream and the cast list reads like the local TikTok comment section exploded. But beneath the chaotic first impression, lies a cleverly constructed comedy that embraces its own madness and takes the audience along for the ride. It is a film that dares viewers to give it a chance and rewards them handsomely for doing so. The humour is part slapstick, part satire and completely unfiltered. Whether it is a character delivering a monologue in the middle of a shootout or a bizarre cameo that makes absolutely no sense (but somehow feels right), the laughs are frequent, loud and often earned through sheer ridiculousness. Love letter to the 'extras' At its heart, Martabat: Misi Berdarah is a hilarious love letter to those working in the margins of the film industry, the unnamed faces in crowd scenes, the 'just stand there and do not talk' folks. It shines a spotlight on their struggles and delusions, portraying them not as failures, but as the secret sauce of the industry. Their desperation to matter becomes oddly relatable and their antics, though exaggerated, hit a nerve for anyone who has ever dreamed too big for their own good. Fad Bocey, Zahiril, Shiqin Kamal, Nafiez Zaidi and Elvina Chua lead the charge with explosive chemistry and a clear understanding of comedic timing. Fad in particular delivers a standout performance that anchors the film's more nonsensical moments with genuine charm. The ensemble cast which includes a hilariously meta mix of big names playing twisted versions of themselves adds an extra layer of fun to an already chaotic script. Directorial debut that packs a punch For a first-time director, Zahiril shows surprising confidence behind the camera. The pacing is brisk, the action sequences are impressively choreographed (especially for a comedy) and the transitions between gags and more grounded emotional beats are smoother than expected. There is an energy to the direction that suggests a deep understanding of both the satire and action genres and a willingness to take risks. The script, co-developed with Adrian Teh, strikes a rare balance between parody and respect. It pokes fun at the Malaysian film industry while also celebrating its quirks. The in-jokes, cultural references and dramatic monologues are exaggerated just enough to be funny without ever feeling mean-spirited. And the editing, frenetic yet purposeful keeps the momentum high all the way to the explosive finale. Glimpse into future of local cinema Beyond the laughs and explosions, Martabat: Misi Berdarah is proof to how far Malaysian cinema has come. Where once the industry was seen as a struggling underdog, recent years have seen an uptick in bold, genre-blending films that take real creative risks. This film joins that growing list, proving that local productions no longer have to mimic Hollywood or rely solely on rom-com formulas to succeed. It is a proudly Malaysian story, loaded with jokes that only local audiences will fully appreciate. But it also boasts a universal energy the kind that makes audiences root for underdogs, even if they are wielding toy guns and quoting Shakespeare while dodging explosions. Unfiltered fun worth watching Martabat: Misi Berdarah is not a perfect film. The plot goes off the rails more than once, the humour dips into chaos and not every scene hits its mark. But that is part of its charm. It is a chaotic, silly and surprisingly well-made movie that knows exactly what it is and refuses to apologise for it. For audiences willing to look past the low-key poster and embrace the absurdity, the payoff is clear: loud laughs, memorable performances and the refreshing realisation that local cinema can be both ridiculous and ridiculously entertaining. This one is not just background noise, it is a scene-stealer. DIRECTOR: Zahiril Adzim, Adrian Teh CAST: Fad Bocey, Zahiril Adzim, Shiqin Kamal, Emma Maembong, Tony Eusoff, Namron, E-VALUE: 7/10 PLOT: 8/10 ACTING: 7/10
