IT is not often in Malaysia that a drama whose heroine is a prostitute wins big at the awards.
But it happened last Sunday at Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Putrajaya in conjunction with the sixth edition of Anugerah Drama Festival Kuala Lumpur (Anugerah DFKL).
That drama was Nur, directed by promising filmmaker Shahrulezad Mohamaddin, and starring popular actress Amyra Rosli as the title character, a repentant call girl who is shown the light by a young and compassionate religious teacher.
Nur, which was screened on TV3 in May and June last year, conquered Anugerah DFKL 2019, repeating the success of Kau Aku Kita three years ago.
BIG SWEEP
Anugerah DFKL 2016 and 2019 have been the only editions of the awards where a single drama swept six out of eight (75 per cent) categories.
Nur took home Choice Drama, Choice Director and Choice Script for Shahrulezad, Choice Actor for Syafiq Kyle, Choice Screen Couple for Syafiq and Amyra, and Choice Antagonist for Azhan Rani.
Nur only lost in two categories, Choice Theme Song and Choice Actress.
The awards’ ambassador Janna Nick beat Amyra to win Choice Actress for Semerah Cinta Humairah, playing a woman who is forced into an unhappy marriage.
Haqiem Rusli’s and Aman Ra’s duet Jatuh Bangun from the drama Shah & Zam won Choice Theme Song, defeating Nur’s Tak Pernah Hilang by Amylea Azizan and Kaer Azami.
“This is simply amazing! Competition’s been stiff courtesy of Humairah, yet we netted the biggest catch in DFKL history!” said an elated Shahrulezad, who has been a drama director for a decade.
“I guess Nur is a story that’s out of the ordinary, about giving sinners a second chance in life, and how compassion conquers a person’s worst qualities.”
He praised Amyra, Syafiq and Azhan for “solid teamwork” on the set and “great professionalism”.
“They gave their all, more than 100 per cent to give life to their characters.”
Describing Nur as a phenomenon, Shahrulezad said that it also won big at Anugerah Skrin 2018, taking home Best Drama, Best Actor and Best Actress.
“Nur 2 is showing on TV now, riding on the success of Nur. Fans will get to see how Nur and her saviour Ustaz Adam go on with their spiritual mission now that they’ve become life partners and soul-savers.
“Here’s hoping Nur 2 will be just as successful next year,” said Shahrulezad.
Syafiq, who played Ustaz Adam, said Nur was his breakthrough role and that his character was “beautifully created” by Shahrulezad.
“Adam is not your typical Ustaz. He’s very compassionate and merciful, not a fire and brimstone type of preacher.
“He leads by example and guides people towards righteousness by persuasion and encouragement, telling them to look at the world around them.
“I love him so much, and I truly aspire to be someone like him off-screen,” said Syafiq, who won Choice Screen Couple with Ayda Jebat for Dekatkan Jarak Kita last year.
WINNING COLLABORATIONS
On his pairing with Amyra, Syafiq said he had always wanted to work with her, and they got along great on the set.
“We discussed our characters’ developments all the way, and I’m so glad that Shahrulezad was always approachable and friendly to give us lots of useful tips.
“Amyra is a fantastic actress. She prepared thoroughly for the role of Nur, and her discipline and diligence are exemplary.”
Amyra said she will be “forever grateful” to Shahrulezad for offering her the role of Nur.
“She is a beauty inside out, such an inspiring woman. What I’ve learnt from Nur is that we must never pass judgement on people because God gives all of us a second chance. It is up to us to make the best of it,” she said.
Amyra praised Syafiq for his meticulousness on the set. “I’m honoured to work with him. He trained so hard and even learnt from religious teachers to become Ustaz Adam. I’m confident he’ll become a major star someday.”
Azhan dedicated his win to all actors and actresses who depended on “pure talent and hard work” to become successful.
“Don’t forget that talent always comes first. Looks comes with confidence!” he said.
For Janna, it was her third win in Anugerah DFKL after Kau Aku Kita and Biar Aku Jadi Penunggu last year.
“I want to thank all my fans for their support throughout my days in Anugerah DFKL. They’ve always turned up at the awards in full force, and they’re my pillars of strength.
“I also want to credit my great directors for giving me inspiring roles to play. While effort and hard work are important, I also believe that getting good characters helps me win.”
Janna said she had expected Amyra to win Choice Actress because of Nur’s popularity.
“I think she really did a good job and deserves to win.”
SOMETHING NEW
My Sensei Nyonya, which stars veteran actress and comedienne Angeline Tan as a Melaka Peranakan woman who builds up her father’s traditional medicine business, won Choice Chinese Drama Series.
She said: “I want to thank the producers for introducing a new award category this year.
“Chinese dramas are increasingly enjoyed by Malaysians from all walks of life, and it’s good to recognise them. This drama is close to my heart. It’s about family values and continuing the legacy of your loved ones.”
Orang Kita, which is about social media addiction and directed by Mohamad Edzuan, won Choice Short Drama.
He said: “It may be a five-minute short but it hilariously captures how addicted we are to social media that we ignore the importance of inter-personal relationships. The lesson it teaches us is to never lose the human touch in life.”
Mohamad co-produced the short drama with his friend Afif Hafizuddin. Both of them have five years’ experience in filmmaking.
The two-hour awards show, broadcast live on TV3 at 9pm, was hosted by Awal Ashaari while Amyra, Remy Ishak, Izzue Islam, Fatin Afifah, Datuk Fizz Fairuz, Hannah Delisha, Zara Zya, Naim Daniel, Edika Yusuf and Rozita Che Wan presented the award categories.
The winners were voted by Netizens via the awards’ website www.dfkl.com.my from Feb 1 to March 25.
STAR POWER
The performances for the evening were from Sarah Suhairi, Zaim And Pasha, Hafiz Suip, De Fam, Anuar Zain, Hazama, Mark Adam, Achey, Ain Edruce and Ropie.
Hazama, looking stylish with his trade mark black hat, sunglasses and wavy hair, belted out Wings’ Opera Hidup and his own song Penglipur Lara, to roaring applause, while last year’s Big Stage winner Sarah Suhairi looked stylish in a red dress singing her hit song Nyawa Dan Raga.
Sarawak’s singing sensation Hafiz Suip was also a class act singing Kisah Cinta Kita from the drama series Dia Menantu Rahsia, while all-girl trio De Fam gave a decent rendition of Solo by K-Pop star Jennie of BlackPink.
Last but not least, last year’s Mentor 7 winner Zaim Abdullah, the protege of Siti Nordiana, and finalist Pasha Fauzi, the protege of singer-songwriter Aizat Amdan, delivered a commendable medley of drama theme songs which included Pasti, Kata Akhirmu, Permata Cinta, Sabar and Dusta.
The big star amongst the singers was Anuar Zain, who ended the show crooning one of his all-time favourites from the big screen in sing-along fashion.
It was 2011’s Malaysian Film Festival’s winner Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa’s moving theme song Sedetik Lebih, which also won Best Theme Song back then.
DFKL 2019 WINNERS
CHOICE ACTOR
Syafiq Kyle (Nur)
CHOICE ACTRESS
Janna Nick (Semerah Cinta Humairah)
CHOICE DIRECTOR
Shahrulezad Mohamaddin (Nur)
CHOICE SCRIPT
Shahrulezad Mohamaddin (Nur)
CHOICE OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK
Jatuh Bangun (Shah & Zam) by Haqiem Rusli and Aman Ra
CHOICE ANTAGONIST
Azhan Rani (Nur)
CHOICE DRAMA
Nur (Radius One)
CHOICE COUPLE
Syafiq Kyle & Amyra Rosli (Nur)
CHOICE CHINESE DRAMA SERIES
My Sensei Nyonya (Mediacorporation Studio)
CHOICE SHORT DRAMA
Orang Kita (Mohamad Edzuan)