• SURYA SAPUTRA

These days, the presence of Korean girl groups and boybands is felt everywhere in Indonesia. Back in the ’90s, however, we took pride in Indonesian vocal groups, as they ruled the music scene with names like Coboy, Trio Libels, Cool Colors and M.E who charmed audiences nationwide. Singer and actor, Surya Saputra, can certainly attest to that.

Making his debut in the entertainment industry in 1994,

Saputra started as a member of Cool Colors, a boyband with Ari Sihasale, Johandi Jahja, Teuku Ryan and Ari Wibowo. “Back in college, I met

Teuku and he asked if I could sing,” he reminisces, “We talked with Emilia Contessa and met Ale [Ari Sihasale], and then eventually, we formed a group. In 1994, we launched our first album titled ‘Tataplah’, which was well received. Following a personnel change, we launched our second album, ‘Satu yang Pasti,’ in 2000. Ari [Wibowo] joined the group at that time, replacing Teuku Ryan.”

It was in 1995 that Saputra first dived into acting. He was cast in the Christ Helwedery-directed series “Harkat Wanita” alongside Asrul

Zulmy and the late Ully Artha. Despite being born into a family of actors, he was initially unsure about his acting skills. “I only appeared in two episodes because I was scared,” says Saputra, “Turned out, it was an exciting experience. I became another person and eventually received appreciation from the director and my fellow cast members.” His first acting experience definitely came as a challenge. For the first day of shooting, he had three pages worth of monologues, “I remember how Ully came to me and said, ‘You’d better do it well. Don’t waste my time,” Saputra recalls.

The actor’s stroke of luck didn’t stop there. In 2004, Saputra landed his first movie role for “Arisan!” Written and directed by Nia Dinata in collaboration with Joko Anwar, the story follows a group of best friends who regularly attend lavish arisan— a very Indonesian social gathering—as each character faces their battles. Saputra plays Nino, a young gay director who is the love interest of Sakti, played by Tora Sudiro. “It was thrilling to play a character I had no idea about. Playing Nino was a whole new thing,” he says, “‘Arisan!’ truly posed a challenge because I had to change how I walk, look and talk.”

The most challenging and memorable “Arisan!” moment for Saputra was the kissing scene with Tora. “Arisan!” was deemed controversial as it was the first Indonesian movie to show a kissing scene between two men. “It was wild. On D-day, everyone came to the set to tease me,” Saputra recalls, “But thankfully, we did really well, and Nia was happy with the result. Tora and I still delivered the message and the feelings in the scene.” As a testament to their grit, Saputra won Best Supporting Actor at the 2004 Indonesian Film Festival for the role, which he considers one of the most significant achievements in his acting journey. Saputra would then appear in the movie’s sequel, “Arisan! 2,” and the series.

In the following years, Saputra’s filmography expanded with titles such as “Gie” (2005),” “Long Road to Heaven” (2007) and “Milly & Mamet” (2018). His latest project includes the ongoing TV series “Ikatan Cinta,” that has taken the Internet by storm. In the series, Saputra plays Surya Lesmana, the father of the main protagonist Andini, played by Amanda Manopo. “I experienced different levels of emotion in the series,” says Saputra, “For instance, while shooting an episode, I never imagined I could feel deeply hurt and cry in pain.”

When asked about actors who inspire him, Saputra mentions Mel Gibson, Al Pacino and the late Didi Petet as his muses. However, he looks up to his late father as the role model of his life. “My father passed away when I was three years old, so I only heard stories about him from other people,” he says, “He is truly my role model, and I want to embody his character, keeping his legacy alive. In looking up to him, I want to be an amazing father for my kids and a great person for those around me.”

For now, Saputra is busy with several projects, including a mini-series for Prime that will begin filming this April and another project that will commence in June. He also looks forward to contributing more to the entertainment industry and educating young upcoming talent, hoping to be a good role model. And with his hard work, perseverance, and great work ethos, his dreams will surely come to fruition.

Ferry Salim, known for his captivating performances on both the big and small screens, is a household name in the Indonesian film industry. He started his career as a model in 1990, then debuted as the lead in the popular soap opera “Kembang Setaman” and the critically acclaimed movie “Ca Bau Kan,” which catapulted him to stardom and established him as an esteemed actor in the industry.

These breakthrough moments have led to more prominent roles across film and television, showcasing his versatility as an actor. “At that time, I already loved the fashion and entertainment industry. And with the success of my debut soap opera in 1998 and my movie in 2002, I think that’s when I established myself in this industry,” says Salim.

His breakout role in “Ca Bau Kan” established him and garnered critical acclaim and recognition from local and international audiences. The film tells the story of a Chinese-Indonesian family’s struggles during the postcolonial era, which resonated with viewers and earned Salim numerous nominations for awards, including Best Actor at the Asia Pacific Film Festival.

Salim has also received recognition for his philanthropic work, particularly his involvement in promoting education, raising awareness about children’s rights, and speaking out on issues affecting young people in Indonesia. He has been a UNICEF National Ambassador in Indonesia since 2004. Despite his success, he remains grounded and committed to his craft, constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow.

To this end, his journey to success wasn’t just about luck and talent but also about hard work and perseverance. Despite his busy schedule, he recently finished his education at age 56, earning a law degree. This achievement reflects his commitment to personal growth and development, not just as an actor but also as an individual.

“Thanks to hard work, support from my wife and children, as well as determination and determination, I finally managed to finish my studies and was entitled to hold a Bachelor of Laws degree,” Salim shares, “With my return to college, I also encourage my children to continue learning without seeing age as a limiting factor. Thankfully, it can also encourage my young friends. And I hope the knowledge I obtain will become a blessing for many people.”

Furthermore, Salim’s success in the entertainment industry is even more impressive when you consider the challenges he faced early in his career. Back then, working hours in the television and film industry were notoriously long and unpredictable, with shooting schedules that could run from morning until the wee hours of the morning. But despite the grueling demands of catch-up soap operas and other productions, he remained committed to his craft, putting in long hours and hard work to hone his skills as an actor.

Over the years, he has shown remarkable range and versatility, taking on roles in various genres, from drama to comedy and everything in between. However, despite his diverse portfolio, Salim’s favorite genre remains drama, where he can showcase his acting chops and delve deep into complex characters and stories.

With a career spanning over two decades, he has become one of the most sought-after actors in the country. As he looks to the future, Salim is also aware of the challenges and opportunities of the fast-paced and ever-evolving industry. He hopes to continue to inspire others and contribute to the growth and development of the Indonesian entertainment industry.

“Indonesian film audiences should not be bored. Therefore, producers must continue making good quality and cool films as industry players,” says Salim, “Apart from that, many cities in Indonesia still do not have cinemas. We need more access so that the distribution of films can become wider. I hope the government can play a bigger role in providing more for the Indonesian film industry.”

He also believes that it is essential for actors to keep honing their craft, exploring new roles and genres, pushing boundaries, and keeping the momentum. “The Indonesian film industry is excellent now. Every production house makes films of different genres, and our writers are improving. Our directors and actors are also great. Local film lovers keep growing,” says Salim.

As one of the most talented and respected homegrown actors in the local entertainment industry, Salim has come a long way from his humble beginnings. From his breakout role in “Ca Bau Kan” to his recent educational achievement and philanthropic work, Salim has proven that he is not just a gifted actor but also a role model for the next generation of talent.

Above all, Salim is committed to being an inspiring mentor for younger actors, sharing his experiences and knowledge to help them succeed in the competitive entertainment world. Ultimately, the journey is far from over for Ferry Salim and we can’t wait to see what he will achieve next.