KUALA LUMPUR: Action hero Zul Ariffin will be moving to Makkah in Saudi Arabia next year to focus on his newfound food and drink vending machine business.
However, the Sangkar and J-Revolusi star has assured his fans that this would not end his acting career, for he would be spending half a year in Malaysia pursuing his "first love".
"This business is something that I've planned for a long time. It is a partnership with a Singaporean company owned by my friends, and the Middle East is the target market for self-service machines," said Zul at the launch of his latest film Talbis Iblis in Panggung Asia, Jalan Gombak here recently.
Zul, who will be moving to the Islamic holy city in the first quarter of next year also said that he was currently looking for accommodation there.
"If all goes well I will find a residence close to the sacred places Jabal Nur and Masjidil Haram. I plan to live within 5km from the Grand Mosque, in an affordable home," he said.
Zul said that acting remained his main passion in life, and since the film industry was "on an upward trend" he would not slow down his appearances in television dramas and films.
"As I've always said, acting is my first love and I won't give it up. I love being an entrepreneur as it is an adventure which I like, but nothing compares to acting," said Zul, who will be attending Arabic language classes at a university in Makkah to boost his communication skills there.
Talbis Iblis reunites Zul with Sangkar director Kabir Bhatia, and has him play the ruthless assistant of a vengeful midwife who is determined to use black magic to revive her dead baby.
It also stars Nasha Aziz, Azira Shafinaz, Sherie Merlis and Jay Iswazir, and opens in cinemas nationwide on Oct 20.