FANS of Hannah Tan can look forward to seeing the singer-songwriter, model and actress in action on the big screen soon.
The multi-hyphenate celebrity said she had just completed filming a Malay film shot in Melaka and Greece.
“I will play my first Malay-speaking lead role in this romantic comedy,” Tan said at a charity event for Harlow’s & MGI (HMGI) Sdn Bhd at Hotel Maya in Kuala Lum-pur.
The Penangite, 35, who is of Chinese and Kelabit descent, had acted in telemovie Bezanya Cinta and action comedy movie My Spy, directed by Afdlin Shauki.
Tan said she had to keep mum about the details as she signed a non-disclosure agreement with the producers.
“I am not at liberty to say much, but it (the movie) is based on Ma-laysian heritage and involves a dying culture.”
Tan had just completed an OST (original sound track) song for the movie. She said it was her first time writing Malay lyrics, adding that she also composed the song.
“It was tricky at first. Although I speak Malay, it is not my native tongue and a certain flair is needed to write song lyrics.
“The lyrics correspond to the character that I was playing and the sentiments I felt in the particular scene that this song is supposed to be fitted into.”
To help with the song’s flow, Tan listened to a lot of songs by Indonesian and Malay artistes.
When asked to describe the song, she said “it is a really sad song”.
Tan worked with young and talented producer Daniel Veerapen for the first time to craft the ballad.
“It will be mixed and mastered at a top studio in the United States, so we have good people on board. I am honoured to be a part of it,” she said.
On her creative preference, the pianist said music had always been her No. 1 passion.
“I like composing and writing more than performing.
“I want to be able to come up with my own content and publish it independently.”
Tan said she was open to other creative endeavours, like acting and hosting.
She released her debut album, Crossing Bridges, in 2007. Two years later, she signed a record deal with Tokyo-based Fillmore Far East Inc that saw her performing and releasing music in Japan.
At the event, Tan and five other celebrities presented cheques of RM20,000 each, donated by HMGI, to charitable organisations. She donated her portion to the Women’s Aid Organisation.