Journalism may be in her genes, but Ahirine Ahirudin says that her priority right now is in acting
A LANKY beauty who hails from Alor Gajah, Melaka, Ahirine Ahirudin believes in pursuing her passion.
At the moment, she is 100 per cent into acting, having worked in an action film and a romantic comedy with two reputable directors.
A third project, specially for Chinese New Year next year, is on the way and Ahirine, 26, is delighted to be part of it.
STAR-STUDDED CAST
A joint Malaysian and Singaporean production, What! The Heist boasts a star-studded cast from both sides of the Causeway.
Directed by Matt Lai, it stars popular Malaysian actors Jack Lim, Gan Mei Yan, Hao Ren and Yuan Teng, besides popular Singaporean actors Mark Lee, Patricia Mok, Henry Thia, Jaspers Lai and Grace Teo.
Jointly produced by Asia Tropical Films, The Film Engine and King Kong Media Productions, What! The Heist is presented by MK Amusement, Filmforce Studio, Distinct Media and New Me Marketing.
The action comedy marks the first time Lim of Ah Beng, Balistik and Juang fame, and Lee of Money No Enough, The Homecoming and Petaling Street Warriors fame, team up as executive producers.
Filming of the RM4 million project, which began on July 19, includes 10 locations in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya.
Ahirine said: "The main characters are robbers who are out to claim the prize money that was promised to them. Each of us has his or her own story to tell and reasons why he or she needs the money badly."
When asked about her character, she said that she was nicknamed Bangkok, who excelled in martial arts and was an idealist at heart.
"Bangkok is a Malaysian girl who is patriotic and idealistic. She speaks Hokkien and Mandarin, and despite being involved in a crime, she has a heart of gold," said Ahirine, who speaks Hokkien and a little Mandarin.
"I'm no stranger to Hokkien as my grandmother, who is of Hokkien descent, taught me the dialect. After all, it is widely spoken in my home state Melaka."
UP-AND-COMING ACTRESS
Ahirine's first film Remp-It 2, directed by Farid Kamil, was completed in 2020 but has yet to be screened in cinemas.
"I'm one of the main characters in this action drama, the sequel to Farid's hugely popular Remp-It. He's one of my favourite actors, and it was an honour to work with him. He's a cool and kind director."
Her second film, Gadis Jolobu, opened in cinemas yesterday.
Directed by C.L. Hor, this romantic comedy with dialogue in the Negri Sembilan Malay dialect sees her playing the young love interest of a zany, middle-aged bachelor, played by singer, actor and reality show judge Datuk Hattan.
"Working with Datuk Hattan was a dream come true, as I'm a fan of his music and his role as a reality show judge.
"I was a little intimidated by him when we first met, as he is known to be a cikgu garang.
"Fortunately, he proved to be a funny, friendly, kind and wise co-star, who taught me a lot about acting and singing."
JOURNALISM BACKGROUND
Ahirine is the second of three siblings. She has an elder brother aged 27 and a younger sister aged 19.
Journalism is in her blood as her father, Datuk Ahirudin Attan, is a well-known editor who has served in print and online dailies such as The Malay Mail and The Vibes.
A journalism graduate from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in 2019, Ahirine wrote for the New Straits Times' Cars, Bikes And Trucks section from 2014 to 2016 during her days as a diploma student.
"I have always enjoyed writing, and I guess I followed in my father's footsteps," she said.
"He encouraged me to take up journalism, so I spent two years doing a journalism diploma and another three doing a journalism degree."
WEARING MANY HATS
Ahirine, who grew up in Puchong and Kuala Lumpur, also writes informative articles on her social media accounts.
While doing her degree, she served as a co-host on Astro Ria's entertainment programme Hlive and spent another three months in the programme after her graduation.
"I left Astro in March as I felt that I should stick to one full-time job. Even though my ambition is to become a successful actress on the big and small screens, I will still produce and host TV programmes from time to time," said Ahirine, adding that she did not want her journalistic training to go to waste.
Over the last two years, Ahirine has co-produced two gameshows on Astro Ria, namely Mana Bro? and The Jangan Show.
"Mana Bro?, which was screened last December, is a bit like Fear Factor. Here, contestants have to take up challenges that look simple but are a lot more difficult than meets the eye, and overcome their fear in the process," said Ahirine.
"As for The Jangan Show, it saw celebrities controlling their emotions and movements as best as they can. The quiz masters would instruct them to not move, not laugh or not speak in different situations."
Ahirine, who was active in athletics during her schooldays, added that she would be joining a Muay Thai challenge soon.
FEEL-GOOD STORY
Lim said that What! The Heist marked his first collaboration with most of the cast. Despite the movie being a story about law-breakers, it aims to be a feel-good story that would go well with the festive season.
"It is a bit like Money Heist but a lot sillier, crazier and funnier," said Lim, adding that Ahirine's character was not a token non-Chinese role, but one who significantly drives the plot.
Lee, who has been a close friend of Lim for more than a decade, said that he initially wanted a police story, but changed his mind after Lim suggested that they play "good-natured robbers".
"Jack told me a crime caper is a lot more fun. Viewers love bad boys and girls, and that seems to be the trend nowadays, even in Singapore."
Lee added that What! The Heist was a "money adventure" that centred on lottery winners who were denied their prize money.
"We are a motley crew who seek to redeem our prize money by foul means. Our characters are not related to one another but we come together to assert our rights, even though some of us don't get along," he said.
Lee said that it was great to have Malaysian and Singaporean stars team up in "movies to remember".
"Although the dialogue is mainly in Mandarin and Hokkien, it's actually a multi-lingual film as the characters will converse in English and Malay from time to time."
Lim said: "Best of all, the cast is multi-ethnic, very Keluarga Malaysia and Keluarga Singapura."