EARLY in her career, actress Yana Samsudin played the heroine in more than 10 movies, from Adnan Sempit and Bini-Biniku Gangster, to Minyak Dagu.
However, following the birth of her son Aisy Mateen, who turns 1 next month, the 33-year-old has been blessed with playing the role of a doting mother in real-life.
“I am stuck with Aisy constantly, as he is exclusively breastfed. Aisy is a fussy baby and he doesn’t like to be bottle-fed. He doesn’t like baby formula, making it harder for me to work and leave him behind.
“The only way for me to actually have an acting career would be to find a job that allows me to bring Aisy to work,” she said in an interview recently.
Yana said that on accepting new jobs, she would first need to discuss specific requirements with the production team, such as her need for breaks in between takes to check on and feed Aisy.
“Although I had received several offers, I made sure that they were okay with my requirements before signing off on them. Playing the main lead in feature films is a no-no for me at the moment,” explained the Johor-born actress, who is married to scriptwriter Fadzil Zahari. Fadzil also happens to be the younger brother of actor Farid Kamil.
Yana recalled a situation in which she had to leave Aisy and her helper in a car park while she was at work.
“I was down for a recording. I am the co-host of talk show Bismillah Ad-Duha (aired between 9 and 11am on Astro Oasis and Astro Maya HD from Thursdays to Saturdays). Children are not allowed on the premises,” she said.
The first drama she starred in after becoming a mother was Jadikan Aku Yang Kedua, which premiered on Astro Oasis in May. She played the second female lead in the TV series, which starred real-life celebrity couple Amar Baharin and Amyra Rosli.
Yana has also started filming a TV drama, titled Cinta Maya. Produced by Bright Network, the 13-episode series sees her playing the leading role opposite actor Muiz.
During Ramadan, Yana took time off from showbiz to focus on being an entrepreneur. In between her hijab and clothing line business, she also sells Raya cookies.
Yana is celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Jitra, Kedah, and Yong Peng, Johor.
“Like many people from the north, my husband loves nasi daging for Hari Raya.
“However, he prefers it prepared from the scratch, so getting the prepared and packed spices for the dish, which are readily available everywhere in Kedah, is not an option for me,” said Yana, her favourite food during the season being her mother’s satay goreng. By Tahir Alhamzah