“KASI sengat”, which literally means “sting them”, is actor Sofi Jikan’s tagline which he coined on the set of the 2011 action film KL Gangster.
And like Ajib, the gangster with a heart whom he also played in KL Gangster 2 (2013), Sofi is not one to wallow in regret and self-pity.
So when life delivers him a blow, he strives to “sting’ fans with pleasant screen surprises, no matter how long it takes.
“Robert Downey Jr pulled himself up again after a serious setback in his career in the 1990s. He was down and out because of substance abuse, yet he worked hard to clean himself up and re-establish himself in Hollywood.
“Today, he is famous as Iron Man and a much sought-after A-List actor,” says Sofi at the Press preview of his latest film Jodoh Syaitan in Petaling Jaya on Feb 28.
Two years ago, 49-year-old Sofi from Kuala Terengganu landed in jail for a year for drug abuse.
“It was a misstep in my life. I learnt a painful lesson. But we all make mistakes and I’m glad that my loved ones and closest friends have fogiven me for that.
“There is no one to blame but myself for that fiasco.”
Sofi also said he had no hard feelings against fellow actor Datuk Farid Kamil, the man who reportedly informed the police about his drug use in 2018.
“Yes, what he did hurt me but no, I don’t believe in holding grudges. It’s bad for the soul. If I land in a movie role with him, I’ll still work with him because that’s being professional.
On his role in Jodoh Syaitan, Sofi says it’s his second Romeo-like role after director Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri’s horror-comedy Hantu Nan Sempit in 2014.
“My character is an upright and naive villager who falls in love with a mysterious, beautiful woman and marries her.
“The bride looks perfect in every sense but he soon finds out the horrifying truth that she is a demon in disguise!”
Jodoh Syaitan’s “bride from hell” is Aprena Manrose who is marking her big screen debut. The cast is completed by veteran actress Fauziah Nawi, Pilih Kasih graduate Jay Iswazir Ismail, Rock 4 actor-comedian Kamarul Yusoff, and the late comedian Syed Umar Mokhtar Syed Mohamad Redzuan or Abam.
“I’m ready for any role that’s offered to me. What matters most is a good script and giving 100 per cent to it. Every role is an adventure and I always believe that it is good to try something different.”
Sofi said Aprena impressed him as a newcomer.
“I’ve only known her as a TV drama actress but she works really hard to master a challenging role. It’s been a big leap for her.
“At first, she was a little shy... almost scared of me. But I broke the ice by being my usual friendly self and slowly, we warmed up to each other.”
Sofi will always remember Jodoh Syaitan as his very last collaboration with Abam, and misses the “big, cuddly guy” dearly.
“Losing him so soon was devastating. He was a gentle giant, generous and caring, always full of joy. I hope the entertainment industry will honour this great, wonderful man appropriately.”
Sofi’s next film will be Hantu Kak Limah 3, directed by Mamat Khalid. Filming begins next month and he will reprise his role as Saufi, a villager of Kampung Pisang who is a close friend of the hero Hussein, played by rocker Datuk Awie.
“It’s always a treat to work with Mamat, or Abang Mat as I call him. He’s my biggest teacher among directors, since he always thinks out of the box. Playing Zul Kapan in his Rock film series has been my best cinema experience thus far.”
While he believes in being versatile, Sofi imposes one “condition’ on filmmakers.
“I must be allowed to keep my long locks, because I don’t think I look good with short hair,” he says.
“My ears are pretty big. As a kid, I was nicknamed Green Goblin!”
Jodoh Syaitan opened in cinemas on March 5. It is produced by Do Motion Sdn Bhd and directed by Ismail Bob Hashim.