BOY-next-door Syafie Naswip believes that every new role is an "adventure" that he's always game for.
Two years ago, he impressed cinema-goers in action-comedy Polis Evo 2, playing a brave Special Forces police officer who takes on some terrorists and sacrifices his life in the process to save his superior.
Late last year too, he raised eyebrows as a cross-dresser in controversial telemovie Demi Tuhan Aku Bersaksi.
The 28-year-old Kedahan actor's next "adventure" will be in the wrestling ring. Titled Gila Gusti (Wrestling Crazy), it is Malaysia's first film revolving around professional wrestling.
To be filmed this month, it is scheduled to hit cinemas nationwide in May this year.
Gila Gusti is directed by Silver Chung of Balistik fame and produced by Quin Media with the support of APAC Wrestling.
FIRST HIJAB WRESTLER
APAC, a professional wrestling centre, is owned by the country's best-known professional wrestler, Ayez Shaukat Fonseka Farid.
The stunt choreographer for action movie KL Gangster 2, Shaukat is also making his big-screen debut. He will be joined by his proteges and fellow professional wrestlers The Wonderboy, Gautham Kanakaraj (Gotham), Poppy Ang and Nor Diana (Phoenix), the country's first "hijab" wrestler.
As for the non-wrestlers, Syafie is joined by popular singer-songwriter and actress Elizabeth Tan and male model-turned-actor Aisar Khaled.
"I can't wait for filming to start. I love wrestling," said Syafie at the launch of the film in APAC Wrestling, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya recently.
Syafie, who admires wrestlers Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Undertaker (Mark Calaway), will play Mamat, a novice wrestler who is trained by Naga, an international wrestling champion played by Shaukat.
Syafie said: "Mamat hero-worships Naga and wants to become as successful a wrestler as him.
"But Naga is facing problems of his own. He has lost his crown to a newcomer and has little confidence in himself.
"However, Mamat believes in him, and encourages him to make a comeback.
"At the end of the day, both men learn important life lessons, including finding the strength to pull themselves up after a setback.
ATTITUDE, SPEED AND STAMINA
Syafie and Aisar, who plays Mamat's best friend Zul, will undergo training at APAC Wrestling to prepare themselves for their roles.
"Becoming a good wrestler is not about having a big, muscular physique. Shaukat tells us that it's having the right attitude, speed and stamina.
Syafie has seen Shaukat in action and is amazed that the champion wrestler is able to floor bigger-sized opponents.
"I'm also impressed with Phoenix. She is small physically yet she can overcome women twice her size in the ring."
ALL BEEFED UP
Syafie is thankful to have "beefed up" as a result of a month-long police training prior to the filming of Polis Evo 2.
"The movie toughened me up. It was my first action movie. Gila Gusti does not involve firearms but it's got lots of physical action including being slammed on the ground.
"We'll get battered and bruised for sure, but I've learnt to roll with the punches," said Syafie, who will appear in romantic comedy Kenderaan Berat Ikut Kiri and a horror flick, Sumpahan Jerunai, next year.
During this Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), he copes by helping his parents sell pau, cakes and sambal.
"Even though acting will always be my first love, it is good to have multiple skills and talents. Being an entrepreneur, albeit a small-time one, is fun."
GREAT CHARACTER ACTOR
Aisar, 19, may be playing second fiddle to Syafie and Shaukat in this film but he is delighted that he is a part of it, especially since it has a great storyline.
"Even non-wrestling fans will enjoy it," he said.
"Syafie is a great character actor. I've been a big fan of him since Mukhsin. As for Elizabeth, she is a talented singer-songwriter with lots of charisma."
Aisar, who hails from Terengganu, is a second-year marketing diploma student. He will soon appear in the telemovie Hantu Kelima with Izzue Islam and Shiha Zikir.
LIZZY ON THE MIKE
Elizabeth, who plays an announcer named Julia, will not wrestle in the film. Nevertheless, she is a wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) fan, and is currently learning MMA at a gymnasium in Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
"I've been taking MMA lessons for a year now, not for competitive sport, but for the fun of it," she said.
Elizabeth admitted that learning MMA helped her to "toughen up" after suffering from depression some years ago after breaking up with her then-boyfriend.
"Breaking up was painful but it has made me stronger."
Elizabeth, who hopes to tie the knot when she turns 30 in three years' time, said acting and music always gave her the strength to overcome setbacks.
"The Malay saying buang yang keruh ambil yang jernih (literally "take the good and leave the bad") has become a motto of sorts for me as I navigate my life and career."
During the CMCO, Elizabeth even came up with her own brand of men's wear called Izzi. Launched two months ago, it is sold online, with proceeds donated to Mercy Malaysia.
"I sell men's wear since most of my fans are guys. Even during my schooldays, most of my friends were guys too," she said.
TRIBUTE TO LOCAL WRESTLERS
The film's executive producer, Datuk Alvin Ooi, said Gila Gusti would appeal to Malaysians who grew up enjoying wrestling matches on television in the 1990s.
"Gila Gusti is a tribute to our homegrown wrestlers, aimed at showcasing their talents.
"More importantly, it will hopefully motivate youngsters on overcoming hurdles and triumphing," he said.