ABOUT a decade ago, Khayrisyah Kemal's almost daily appearances on television were mini jump scares, no thanks to a famous public service announcement (PSA) that made her a household name.
She began her acting career at 9, playing a little girl named Alya, who vanishes into thin air while sitting on a swing in that haunting PSA co-produced by Radio Televisyen Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia in Sintok, Kedah.
"That 2012 PSA to raise awareness of child abductions saw me singing the Malay version of the English nursery rhyme 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' in an eerie manner, before vanishing," said Alya at the launch of her latest drama series, 'Nafsu'.
GOOD CAUSE
Khayrisyah's family, friends and fellow young actors and actresses tell her that the PSA is very haunting, especially when it appears on TV in the wee hours of the morning or past midnight.
"To be honest, it does give me the shivers, too, but looking back,. I am glad to have starred in it, for it is all for a good cause.
"I am proud to do my bit to raise awareness of missing children," said Khayrisyah.
STAR-STUDDED
Since the PSA, Khayrisyah, 21, has also played a lost girl in two other instances — the supernatural Viu series 'Hilang' (2022), and Viu's latest drama series 'Nafsu', a supernatural thriller which boasts a star-studded cast.
'Nafsu', which is directed by Sein Qudsi of Ruffedge fame and co-produced by Viu and Infinitus Productions, also stars Kamal Adli, Azira Shafinaz Ramlan, Aqasha Rosli, Vanidah Imran and Ellie Suriaty Omar.
Khayrisyah said: "As in that PSA, my character is once again named Alya.
"But this time, Alya is a 20-something artist and 'bad girl'who hears strange voices and one fine day, she is levitated from the floor of a nightclub.
"She ends up bound and gagged by a deadly cult led by Gusti, an evil sorcerer who has abducted many people and made him his 'soldiers'."
SIXTH SENSE
Alya's elder sister, Dina, played by De Fam singer Azira, goes in search of her, and seeks the help of her gifted former boyfriend Sam, played by Kamal, to find her.
"Sam is a reluctant hero. He has the sixth sense but refuses to use his powers because he killed one of his friends during his youth," said Khayrisyah, who is delighted to co-star with Kamal, Azira and Aqasha, who plays Gusti.
IMPACT
"Sometimes, my elder sister Khayrina, who is also an actress, asks me if I get tired of playing the 'little girl lost'.
"But I reply that it is a badge of honour, as playing such a character gives viewers an impact and they get to remember me better," she said.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL
Khayrisyah says being a victim on screen etches her in the memories of viewers, especially when her character is not a two-dimensional damsel in distress.
"I love playing victims who are more than meets the eye. I love plot twists, including victims who are not really victims.
"As for being known for just one or two characters, that is not a burden for me.
"Look at Harrison Ford. He does not mind being known as Han Solo and Indiana Jones, because he played those iconic roles brilliantly and viewers loved them."
FAMILY COMEDY
While Khayrisyah usually loves acting in dramas, she also adores playing comedic roles, and enjoyed herself in the family comedy 'Keluarga Iskandar', where she played Amalina, the youngest grandchild of the titular family.
"Amalina is precocious but smart, witty and a reasonable person. She has a sharp mind and she holds her own whenever the adult characters get into trouble and she helps them out in her own small way," she said.
ZAHIRIL ADZIM
Besides being a fan of Kamal and Azira, Khayrisyah also looks up to versatile actor Zahiril Adzim of 'Pekak' and 'Bunohan' fame.
She fondly remembers acting with her sister Khayrina, 23, and Zahiril in the tear-jerker drama series 'Hanya Padamu' a decade ago.
"Zahiril is a sweet and cool gentleman, he looks serious but is super friendly and funny.
"He got along great with me and Khayrina on the set, and both of us learned a lot from him. That's why we gave him a big, warm hug before we called it a day on the set!"
LEADING LADY
Khayrisyah does not rule out playing the "leading lady" of a drama series or film some day.
"I'm not one to hurry in my acting career because I love trying different roles for the fun of acting, which is my lifelong passion."