SharifahAmani p withRosyamN r
The actress has always wanted to work with the A-list actor, and their upcoming film Motif finally made it happen, writes Dennis Chua
AWARD-WINNINGactressSharifah Amani has worked with many leading men on the big screen but top actor Datuk Rosyam Nor seems to have eluded her for a long time. She has always been a fan of Rosyam whom she describes as an exemplary actor for his “3Ds” — discipline, diligence and dedication — and her wish to star with him has finally come true in Motif.
Directed by Nadiah Hamzah, Motif is an action film where Amani plays a tough police officer who investigates a major crime in town.
Rosyam plays the prime suspect whom she pursues relentlessly.
“He’s always been a role model for me, and we’ve met many times over the years,” said Amani.
“When I first met him a decade ago, I felt a little intimidated because of his strict and no-nonsense look. His muka (face) is really garang.”
However, the respected actor and producer was friendly, chatty, witty and relaxed. He even sounded youthful, and a far cry from his KL Special Force no-nonsense character Inspector Roslan.
“His humility and friendliness were magnetic. He showed great appreciation for his juniors in the industry.
“And, best of all, he looked forward to co-starring with me someday,” revealed Amani.
Despite being an A-list actor, Rosyam humbly attended sessions conducted by the film’s acting coach, Amani’s mother Fatimah Abu Bakar.
“He was there every day to help my mother guide the younger and newer actors but he also sought her feedback on certain scenes involving intense confrontations between his character and mine. He’s really a gentleman!”
“He assured me that I would not g t hurt leaping and rolling as safety nets an mattresses were always there to catc me,” explained Amani.
Asked about scenes where she fought with Rosyam, Amani explained that the made her feel “on cloud nine”.
“There are some scenes where we ha to fist-fight and two of them are as real a it gets.
“He told me to imagine I was battling his infamous KL Gangster character Tailong, the vile “snake man”, so I went all out to pulverise him until the director yelled ‘Cut!”
Amani said Rosyam was “delighted” to be her sparring partner because he liked to see actors “depart from their comfort zones”.
“He admitted that he was surprised when he learnt that
I took up the protagonist’s role. Nevertheless, he later congratulated me for a job well done.”
While her first team-up with Rosyam, which she describes as “Rosyamani”, is a action film, Amani would love to reunite with him in a character-driven film.
“I’d love to be in period dramas with Rosyam. He shines too as a character-actor.”
Besides Motif, Amani will appear in four other films at year’s end.
“There’s Zombitopia directed by Woo Ming Jin, and in it I’ll be fighting zombies in an apocalyptic Klang Valley once again. It’s a bit like KL24: Zombies but with different characters,” she said.
Amani will also appear in Syafiq Yusof’s school comedy Sekolahaha alongside Adibah Noor and YouTube stars Luqman Podolski and Adib Alexx, also known as The Vine, and the long-awaited
Gol Dan Gincu 2, alongside Datin Diana Danielle.
Last but not least, there is Mencari Rahmat ,a Malaysianised version of Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance Of Being Earnest.
Directed by Al Jafree
Yusop, it features a starstudded cast that includes Namron, Amerul Affendi,
Nadia Aqilah Bajuri,
Adibah and Fauziah Nawi.
I’d love to be in period dramas with Rosyam. He shines too as a characteractor.