NADIA Brian may often appear as eye candy on television but director Jeany Amir’s tear-jerker Bu: Kasih Suci totally transformed her.
The 28-year-old artiste loved playing the “unglamorous” young wife Norimah, who suffered three miscarriages before finally becoming a mother. It was a role close to her heart.
“Norimah is a very inspiring woman, just like my real-life mother, who suffered hardship but persevered in her own way,” said Nadia at the recent recording of TV3 sitcom Jawatankuasa Kampung Kalut’s (JKK) Hari Raya special JKK Raya at Sri Pentas 2, Plaza Alam Sentral, Shah Alam.
“My parents got divorced when I was only 10. My mother raised me and my three siblings in Kuala Lumpur, taking on several jobs to make ends meet,” she said.
Nadia, the second child, added that her mother Husmarita Hussain had always been her biggest supporter, and remains her staunchest fan.
“My mum always believes in me. Even if I had relatives who felt it would not be wise for me to become an actress, mum gave me 100 per cent support from day one.
“There were times that I felt I was getting too many similar roles on TV but she told me to be patient and pray hard that I land a breakthrough role on the big screen,” said Nadia.
BREAKING OUT
“Landing the role of Norimah, the main character in Bu, delighted both of us. Mum was the first to congratulate me and gave me some useful tips, particularly the need to look ‘as believable as I could’.”
Bu was a treat for Nadia in more ways than one. It also introduced her to popular actors Dian P. Ramlee, Rashidi Ishak, Remy Ishak and Nadiya Nisaa.
“I was especially excited to meet Dian, Rashidi and best of all, Remy. Dian and Rashidi are ‘legends’ of the big and small screen, while Remy is my favourite leading man, who lives up to his Hero Malaya moniker.
“It was an honour to play Remy’s wife. While he is garang, he’s such a sweetheart on set, with a great sense of humour, knowledge and humility.
“The best scene we had together was one where we were about to cross a busy street near Chinatown and Norimah suddenly suffers a miscarriage and collapses. At that very moment too, another character is hit by a car and collapses at the pedestrian crossing — very dramatic scene, to say the least,” explained Nadia.
Nadia is delighted that her mother and siblings loved her portrayal of Norimah.
“Mum said I nailed it. Better still, she said I managed to break free from my usual girl-next-door or eye candy roles on TV,” she said.
Even though Nadia feels she’s “a bit stiff” when interacting with Remy on the set of
Bu, her mother believed they had “very good chemistry”.
“Mum is a better judge. I tend to be overly self-critical,” she said.
Nadia hopes that her next gritty and challenging role will be that of a single mother who beats the odds and successfully raises her children besides attaining success in her chosen profession.
“That will be my tribute to mum. It aptly describes her life.”
Nadia, whose real name is Nadia Najwa Mohamad Rashidi, pursued a performing arts diploma at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam, graduating in 2012. She also graduated from the same university with a degree in broadcasting three years later.
ROLE OF A LIFETIME
Nadia made her television debut in the drama series Akulah Balqis in 2015.
Her other dramas included Rumi Dan Jawi, Sape Dari Itali, Cik Serba Tahu, Mak Cun, My Sweet Lavender, Dendam Aurora, Dekatkan Jarak Kita, and Shah Dan Zam.
Prior to Bu, she appeared in the science-fiction comedy Badang alongside Fasha Sandha and cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Seri Aliff Syukri Kamarzaman. It was directed by Datuk A. Razak Mohaideen. She was also in thriller Blok 404, directed by Azma Aizal Yusoof, alongside Fasha and Nur Risteena Munim.
“I’ve also filmed Ratu Kala Jengking: Puteri Kerandawhich was directed by Bade Azmi last year.
“It was quite a challenge as I had to ‘wrestle’ a 12kg python and endured some scorpions on my body. I was initially scared but Bade encouraged me to face my fears.”
Nadia, who met and greeted fans in Sungai Besar, Sabak Bernam on May 18 and 19 as one of TV3’s Ramadan and Raya artiste ambassadors, had a “relatively free” Aidilfitri this year.
“I only had to shoot some scenes on May 25 and 26 for a drama series that’ll be ready after Raya. I was lucky to be free to spend more time with my loved ones this Raya. For the last six years, I had to work during Raya,” she said.
Nadia is also preparing for her “off-screen role of a lifetime”.
On May 4, she was engaged to businessman Mu’izz Nasruddin, also 28, whom she had known for two years.
“We haven’t fixed a marriage date yet, but it’ll be any time between Sept 19 and Feb 28 next year,” she said, adding that Mu’izz was her “longtime fan”.
“Mu’izz loves Malaysian dramas, films and music, and he’s very understanding. I love sharing the latest developments in my career with him, and we enjoy watching local as well as Hollywood films together,” she said.
Nadia assures fans that she will not “cut back” her roles on the big or small screen after she ties the knot.
“My future husband is open-minded and supportive of my career. He’s happy to see me play as many challenging roles as possible, provided that they’re not too physical or dangerous".