GAME TO TRY NEW CHARACTERS
Handsome Indonesian actor Randy Pangalila tells that he feels every moment is a learning opportunity
INDONESIAN actor Randy Pangalila felt right at home the moment he set foot on the set of Astro telemovie Oh My English! Road To Jog ja.
“It felt like I was vacationing, everyone was working and still having a lot of fun on set. It was also my first time working with the famous trio of Oh My English!,” says the 26-year-old, referring to Zack (played by Juzzthin), See Yew Soon (Roax Tan) and Mazlee (Zhafir Muzani). Oh My English! is a popular local educational comedy series.
“They are a fun lot to work with as they’re always full of energy. I love working with these guys because they are very committed to their work,” adds the Surabaya-born actor who is of Manado, Dutch and Javanese descent.
The first part of the telemovie tells of Zack, Yew Soon and Mazlee who are working hard to achieve their dream to become famous chefs. When their cafe suffers as a result of a negative food review, the trio decide to enter a cooking competition, with hopes of winning money, and to redeem their reputations. WiththehelpofMr A, they embark on a nationwide journey in their food truck.
Along the way, they meet Chef Bru (Mark Adam), who offers to help them. But, in exchange for his advice, Bru challenges the trio to find three secret ingredients: A black chicken with one leg, a spicy popia sauce and a tear-inducing curry paste.
In the second part, Zack, Yew Soon and Mazlee travel to Jogjakarta in Indonesia to take part in a cooking competition. Upon arrival, they meet Jazlin (Elfira Loy), a fellow contestant from Malaysia who is skilled in traditional Malay cuisine. It is also here that they meet eccentric cook Maskor (Randy). Things get a little weird when the competitors fall ill, one by one, and need to drop out of the competition.
Randy, who usually plays good guys in Indonesian telenovelas, says he is game to try out different characters.
“I always tell myself ‘why not?’ Every character has potential and room for development. I love the experience that comes with every role. I’d like to be able to continue to have the opportunity for the sake of diversity, and not be typecast in a single role,” he says.
Randy, who made his acting debut (in Indonesia) in 2005, is no stranger to the audience there, thanks to his role in Cinta
Fitri, a seven-season series that ran for four years. When the show finally ended in 2001, it had clocked over 1,000 episodes. He can also be seen in the currently-airing drama series, Pangeran Dua.
In Malaysia, Randy acted in drama series such as Untuk Mu and Biar Mimpi
Sampai Ke Bintang (opposite local actress Elfira Loy). He will also be starring in the coming Urusan Hati Cik Drama Queen on Astro Ria HD (channel 123).
Randy, who also sings, says he enjoys every working moment.
“I go where opportunity takes me and I love the hustle and bustle that come with it. Every moment is an opportunity to learn something new. I don’t feel tired travelling back and forth between Indonesia and Malaysia. I am thankful to be able to do so,” he says.
In the beginning, Randy did not see himself Part 1 going far as an actor as competition was stiff in Indonesia.
“I’d gone through many challenges. There are many talented actors in Indonesia and some are a lot better looking than I am. To stay in the game, you need to have certain criteria. I diversify — by singing and doing more action roles, as well as performing my own stunts,” he says.
Next month, the Selalu Milikmu singer (a duet with Marsha Milan Londoh) will be releasing a new book on motivation, exercise and diet titled The Secret By
Randy Pangalila. The inspiration for the book comes from his own exercise routine that he posts on Instagram.
“Fans are always asking me for exercise and diet tips. It’s difficult to reply to each and everyone so when one of them suggested that I should come up with a book on the subject, I thought it was a great idea. I hope the book will benefit many people,” he says.
Next month, Randy will also release a new album, The Secret, and its single,
Apa Mau Mu . The album will feature songs written, composed, produced and recorded by Randy himself.
Randy, whose girlfriend is fellow actress Michelle Putri, 22, says it will be a couple of years before fans hear of wedding bells.
“We are still very young,” he says.