TOP actor Datuk Rosyam Nor is a "cikgu" to many juniors in acting, largely because he shares important lessons he learnt from his own teachers.
The 57-year-old actor and producer said he learnt a lot from his teachers at his alma mater, Sekolah Menengah Seri Pantai in Kampung Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur, and is always grateful to them, especially those who were "cruel" to him.
"It is the fierce teachers who shaped me most as a successful person. They drilled discipline in me," said Rosyam at the press preview of his latest movie, 'Memoir Seorang Guru', at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) Mid Valley Megamall recently.
"When I became an actor, little did I realise that I would one day star in a movie dedicated to my teachers, but I always kept them in mind."
TICKING OFF BUCKET LIST
Rosyam has always thought it would be great to play someone like his school teachers and 'Memoir Seorang Guru' has turned out to be a "tick" on his bucket list.
The two-hour movie, currently screening in cinemas, sees Rosyam play a no-nonsense teacher named Sunan, who is initially feared by his primary school pupils but they gradually warm up to him and vice-versa.
The film is based on the best-selling 1988 novel of the same name by school teacher and novelist the late Azizi Abdullah, who won the South East Asian Writers Award 1988.
It is produced by Tanah Merah Ventures Sdn Bhd and KalamAriff Holdings Sdn Bhd.
A Teachers Day special, the film is directed by Kyoll Hamzah with Arisz Abdul Rahman as its producer.
'Memoir Seorang Guru' also stars Nabila Huda Suhaimi, Johan As'ari, Ellie Suriaty Omar, Trisha Ooi and Zul Huzaimy Marzuki, along with first-timers Kiky Hannah, Danish Zamri, Baqir Jamalullail, Hafiy Al-Tamis, Dhiyaa Raidah and Rafique Iskandar who play the pupils.
SALUTING TEACHERS' HUMILITY
Rosyam further said: "As a child I was very observant of how my teachers moved, talked and ordered their students.
"My memory of those days came in handy for me to master the iconic role of Sunan."
He chose to play Sunan because he has always appreciated his teachers, and saluted them for their humility, dedication, patience and integrity.
"One thing that moved me to tears playing Sunan was how similar he was to my teachers.
"Each time we met at old boys' reunions, they apologised to me for their harshness," he said.
Rosyam, who has attended many school reunions over the years, keeps in touch with many of his former schoolmates and teachers.
They, too, are big fans of his dramas and movies.
A MUCH-LOVED CHARACTER
Kyoll, who is a fan of the novel, said it was part of the Malay Literature subject for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations years ago.
"It is a story of love, dedication, respect, gratitude and legacy," he said, adding that Azizi's family fully supported the movie.
Kyoll said Rosyam was "just the man for Sunan", having been a teacher to many newbies as witnessed by his acting talent search show, 'Pilih Kasih', which ran for three seasons since 2009.
Filming for 'Memoir Seorang Guru' took a month last year in Kangar, Kuala Kangsar and the Klang Valley.
"Drama producer Fadzil Teh suggested Perlis, his home state as it was scenic with blue lakes and limestone hills that look out of this world," said Kyoll.
Meanwhile, Arisz said the youngsters who played Sunan's pupils were auditioned by him and Kyoll.
"They did a great job with coaching from Rosyam and Ellie, who played the mother of one of the pupils," he said.
About 90 per cent of the novel was adapted into the screenplay.
Rosyam said it was an honour to play Sunan as he was a great character from a great novelist.
"I admit it was great pressure to play him as he is a much-loved hero in Malaysian novels."
He admits to having terrified the kids at first, but it was part of being Sunan.
"But I quickly warmed up to them and vice-versa, just like my character."
Ellie roped in her son, Azrel Iskandar, as one of the acting coaches.
"The young ones were really good. They took to their roles like passionate schoolchildren," she said.
EMOTIONAL REUNION
The story centres on Sunan, a 70-something retired teacher from the big city who attends a reunion dinner with his former students.
About two decades ago, he was posted to a remote school in the north of the country and had to teach a class full of "no hopers".
With a combination of harsh discipline and getting to know their family backgrounds, he moulds all of them into successful adults.
The movie is supported by Yayasan Guru Malaysia.