NABILA Razali references the character Nur — played by Amyra Rosli in the 2018 drama series 'Nur' — when playing the daughter of a prostitute in the drama series 'Bawah Payung Awan'.
The new series adapted from a novel by Liza Nur is currently streaming on Viu.
"This character is different from what I've played before," said Nabila, 31, of her character Widad.
"So I take it as a challenge for me to step out from my comfort zone to play Widad.
"Widad, raised by her prostitute mother and living in a slum in the city, is determined to get out of the rut she and her mother are in.
"To do that, she knows education is the only way out. So she studies hard.
"At school, she is close to Soleiman (played by Ben Amir) and Hanan (Nelissa Nizam), who have their own problems."
Apart from acting in the series, Nabila is also thrilled that she was chosen to sing the theme song.
The ballad 'Tangis' was composed by fellow singer Naim Daniel.
MEETING REQUIREMENTS
Ben Amir chopped off his long hair for his role.
Ben, 34, admits that as an actor, one has to be ready to do what the role entails.
In earlier episodes, Soleiman is a schoolboy, which means Ben has to cut his hair short.
"For the first 15 episodes, I sport a mullet and the hair gets shorter in the subsequent episodes to show the transition from a schoolboy into adulthood.
"Like it or not, I have to cut it short for work.
"Although I prefer to keep my hair long, I have to do what the role demands. If it says short hair, short hair it is.
TALE OF THREE FRIENDS
Produced by Global Station Sdn Bhd for Viu, the 30-episode drama also stars Nelissa Nizam, Amyza Aznan, Riz Amin, Adam Malek, Muaz Zabir, Kodi Rasheed, Watie Sadali and Lan Siro.
Directed by Azri Izhar, the drama is about three friends, Widad, Soleiman, and Hanan, who grow up in a slum populated mostly by criminals and shady characters.
Widad is determined to get a better life by studying hard at school.
Confused youth Soleiman is finding his identity, especially after his brother dies while fleeing from the police. He also gets beaten up by his father regularly.
Hanan, raped by her own brother at the age of 9, is despised by her own mother. She takes refuge by hanging out with illegal street racer Zaf.
When Hanan gets into trouble, she asks for help from Soleiman, who gets dragged into a robbery scheme devised by the slum's gangster group.
That leads to his arrest and being sent to Henry Gurney School.
Widad visits him there, but he refuses to see her.
Before Widad leaves to pursue her studies overseas, he sends her a letter. In the letter, he asks her to forget him and move on.