WILMA MUHAMMAD made an impression with her feature film debut in the 1997 Malay romantic drama 'Ghazal Untuk Rabiah', playing the titular role opposite Datuk Jamal Abdillah.
Her affecting role saw her win the Most Promising Actress trophy at the 13th Malaysia Film Festival that same year.
In 2000, she wowed cinemagoers in the Datuk Yusof Haslam-directed romantic drama 'Pasrah', acting alongside Erra Fazira, Norman Hakim, and Abby Abadi.
But the actress' sudden rise was followed by an unexpected exit from the limelight.
Dropping off the entertainment radar, fans would only catch glimpses of her in a few television dramas during the latter half of the 2010s.
The artiste from Lahad Datu, Sabah, said she took a 20-year break from movies to focus on her family.
"I made a promise to myself that when I got married, I would focus on my family. I am a full-time housewife. When I have children, I have to prioritise my family and that was what made me decide to take a break," she said.
Wilma married Mahir Effendi in 2000 and they have five children — Raida Thaqifa, 22, Athira Inara, 20, Mahira Aqila, 18, Muhammad Yusof, 16, and Umar Al Faruq, 15.
Mahir died at their home in Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya, due to a heart attack in 2011.
Wilma then tied the knot with a businessman in 2012.
"Once the children were grown up, they gave me their blessing to continue acting if I ever wanted to. Although they are now independent, I questioned my ability.
"But the kids gave me a lot of encouragement and the 'green light' to return to acting more than four years ago.
"I wasn't ready but I took up some offers to act in dramas," she said.
A WELCOMING RETURN
The actress, who looks much younger than her 51 years of age, got her chance to return to the big screen after director Dr Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri asked her to star in his horror comedy, 'Saka Perawan', which is screening in cinemas.
Wilma said she was grateful for the opportunity but was nervous since she had not been on a set for a very long time.
"When I came back, I felt like I was acting for the first time and was nervous. However, as soon as I stood on the film set, everyone welcomed me.
"There were some from the new generation of actors who recognised me and chatted with me in excitement. None of the new actors in this film was arrogant.
"It's just that, in coming back after 20 years, I had only one worry, which was whether I could act well. I had to relearn things," she said.
Wilma said she had a longing to return to acting over the years but realised that there were certain limitations.
"I enjoyed being an actress when I started. When I stopped, there was a longing to return to that world.
"Of course, there are some things I can continue to do and some I can't.
"In the past, I might not have minded taking on a sexy character, but now I can't because I'm a mother who also wears the hijab.
"Although there are limits, overall, everything is fine," she said.
Wilma voiced her concern about the negative effects of social media, especially on celebrities.
"In the past, there was no social media. Now, people use it extensively.
"I'm concerned about this since all kinds of people can express or upload anything (on the Internet).
"In the past, if anything happened, the coverage might not have been so extensive, so it was a very different time compared with now.
"Nowadays, people are very daring and will say nasty things to others on social media.
"But, no matter what, we should pray to God for protection," she said.
In 'Saka Perawan', Wilma plays the mother of three daughters, portrayed by Sophia Albarakbah, Isyariana Che Azmi and Nelissa Nidzam, who have to contend with a dark family secret.
Produced by Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Primeworks Studios Sdn Bhd, the movie also features Azlee and Yassin from the comedy group Senario, Datuk Fauziah Nawi, Datuk Seri Eizlan Yusof, and Abdul Rahman Kasim, also known as Man Raja Lawak.
The rest of the cast includes Mohamad Ikhtiarudin Naina Mohamad (Mamak Puteh), Sharif Kunal Doli Sharif (Atu Zero), Afieq Shazwan, Noraini 'Anne' Abdullah, and Zalif Sidek.