It’s complicated

How does Fedi Nuril feel about being the Indonesian cinematic icon for polygamy?

INDONESIAN movie Ayat Ayat Cinta was a hit when it was released in February 2008. It recorded 3.6 million viewers in Indonesia, which was a history-making feat at that time. The movie, directed by Hanung Bramantyo, premiered in Malaysia five months later.

Ayat Ayat Cinta tells the story of Fahri, a pious university student played by Fedi Nuril who is married to Aisha (Rianti Cartwright), a beautiful woman from a wealthy family.

Then he meets and falls in love with another woman Maria (Carissa Putri). He must later decide if he can make the difficult choice of taking Maria as his second wife without deserting Aisha.

Ten years later, Fedi – who is now 35 – is reprising his role as Fahri in

Ayat Ayat Cinta 2. He said a lot has changed in Fahri’s life since viewers last saw him. The sequel also stars Tatjana Saphira, Chelsea Islan, Dewi Sandra, Fazura and Bront Palarae.

“In the new movie, Fahri is a professor at Edinburgh University in Scotland. He’s rich now because the business he built with Aisha has become really successful.

“Unfortunately, Aisha goes missing. Should he wait for Aisha to be found or just move on?” Fedi shared during an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

The jovial actor is excited to play the character again: “I learned a lot about acting, how the filming process worked and, of course, religion

itself from my experience with the first movie 10 years ago. Ayat Ayat Cinta will always be something that feels personal to me. I was eager to learn more with the second movie.”

Fedi has actually played the part of a man who practises polygamy in two other movies – Surga Yang Tak Dirindukan in 2015 and its sequel released last year.

“When I was shooting Ayat Ayat Cinta 2, I didn’t know if people would still be interested to see me in another movie that focuses on polygamy.

“Then, the movie premiered in Indonesia and in two weeks, it recorded more than two million in viewership.

“So, if they decide to make another one, it would be in the interest of the audience.”

The actor believes he knows why audiences care for a character like Fahri.

“The thing is, Fahri is not someone who enjoys practising polygamy. He’s worried about how he can be fair to his wives. He’s not someone who is showing off or bragging about being able to marry two women. Most of the time, my character is someone who looks confused or exhausted. I think people can actually relate to that.”

How does the actor feel about being the Indonesian cinematic icon for polygamy? He said it used to bother him when people assumed that he was just like his character Fahri.

“People think that I am like the goody-two-shoes I portray in the movie. That’s not the case. There is no similarity between Fahri and I. Thankfully, my wife is cool with the all polygamous characters I play on screen.”

In real life, Fedi is married to businesswoman Vanny Widyasasti and together, they have a son. Ayat Ayat Cinta 2 is showing in cinemas nationwide.