IN Fasha Sandha's latest film, Cerana Biduk Bu Merah, she plays a character who is "older, uglier and creepier" than her usual cinema and television characters.
Even though Fasha's character Bu Merah (literally Red Mother) looks beautiful most of the time, she occasionally looks at herself in the mirror and appears to be a horrendous old witch who dabbles in black magic to stay "eternally youthful".
"For too long, I've been the pretty-faced heroine. That's okay with me, but like every actor or actress, I like to challenge myself and play characters that don't resemble me," said Fasha at the launch of Cerana Biduk Bu Merah at TGV Cinemas Aeon AU2 in Hulu Klang, Selangor, recently.
MULTIPLE TYPES
Fasha, 39, has starred as "villains, infirm persons and senior citizens" in some television dramas over her two decades in entertainment, but such roles have been the "exception rather than the norm".
"As I grow older, I believe in taking on more diverse roles. It's not that I' tired of playing the attractive leading lady, but I want to show fans that I can play different characters, and raise the bar higher for myself and fellow actresses," said Fasha, who is marking her first film since her marriage to actor Aidil Aziz in 2019.
"Playing multiple types of characters is the best measure of an actress' success. Dame Emma Thompson of the United Kingdom, Nicole Kidman of Australia and our very own Fauziah Ahmad Daud are shining examples.
"I'm not in a hurry to 'break free' from playing gorgeous heroines, but I plan to increase my number of 'tidak lawa' (unattractive) screen roles in the years to come."
CHINESE FILMS
Fasha also dreams of starring in Chinese or Hong Kong films, even if her roles are supporting ones.
"I was very happy to see Datuk Rosyam Nor star in the Hong Kong film G Storm two years ago and in the Indian film Kabali in 2016.
"If he can do it, so can his juniors in the industry."
Fasha recently met Chinese actor Luo Zheng, who is her fellow ambassador for the online streaming service iQIYI. Both of them have been appearing in dramas produced by iQIYI and have great respect for each other.
"I am honoured to meet Luo Zheng. He is humble, kind and friendly, and I love his dramas.
"We haven't worked together yet, but if I get the chance to work with him or any actor from Hong Kong, China or Taiwan, I would be delighted."
KUALA KANGSAR FILM
When asked about Bu Merah, Fasha said the film was shot around Kuala Kangsar and Lenggong in Perak over the course of a month in 2018.
"For the first time, I play a creepy character. The reclusive Bu Merah is almost 100, yet she appears to be eternally youthful and beautiful.
"The reason is that she owns a haunted Cerana Biduk, or betel nut and 'sirih' set, and is the slave to its malevolent guardian spirit."
One day, Bu Merah saves a 20-something woman named Sofia from being gang-raped. She allows Sofia to stay in her isolated bungalow and soon learns that the young woman is actually her granddaughter.
"The spirit of the betel nut set keeps urging Bu Merah to make Sofia her apprentice, but she does not want her granddaughter to be harmed," said Fasha.
Fasha is marking her first collaboration with director Haizul Anafer Ali in Bu Merah. He had the character "tailor-made" for Fasha, and the actress "took a pay cut" while starring in the film.
EERIE EXPERIENCES
"I chose to star in this film because I greatly respect actors Wan Hanafi Su and Pekin Ibrahim. I have always wanted to star with this talented duo, and we had great brainstorming sessions on the set," said Fasha.
When asked if she encountered eerie experiences, Fasha admitted that she heard strange sounds at her chalet in the wee hours.
"Such sounds don't really bother me because I strongly believe that spirits are harmless."
Bu Merah is produced by Goldhill Pictures Sdn Bhd and will premiere in cinemas today.
Besides Fasha, Pekin and Wan Hanafi, it also stars Badrul Muhayat, Sara Daewoo and Pyan Kepoh. dchua@nst.com.my
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