IN the United States, it was often said that "once a bad guy, always a bad guy" and as a result, Hollywood villains who tried to play good guys for a change were not taken seriously by their fans.
However, there have always been certain exceptions to the norm, such as John Travolta who has shone as a hero as well as a villain.
Popular Malaysian "baddie" actor Kodi Rasheed aspires to be 50 per cent hero and 50 per cent villain, and he knows that it is not going to be easy.
CREEPY
Kodi is often given the role of a "creepy" person in Malay dramas and movies, and he is perfectly okay with it.
However, just as eating a balanced diet is good for one's health, he strongly believes that having a balance in terms of screen roles helps make him a versatile actor.
"When I first set out to become an actor, I was happy to be cast as a villain. However, I did not want to be a villain permanently, that would be boring for both my fans and myself," said Kodi at the recent preview of Tonton drama series 'Salju Rindu Di Bumi Auckland'.
BROTHER
The series marks Kodi's first major "good guy" role in a drama series, and he plays Aziz, the kind and compassionate elder brother of the heroine Juraini, played by Riena Diana and Emelda Rosemila Abdul Hamid.
Aziz is the one person in Juraini's family who truly understands her suffering and tries hard to persuade her to reconcile with her parents.
"Some viewers have criticised me as being too wooden, and have advised me to stick to being bad guys," said Kodi.
"However, I've received good feedback from other viewers and the drama's director Riza Baharudin."
Kodi said that Riza gave him the thumbs up for playing Aziz, as it showed that he was a versatile actor.
"In the past, I've received angry stares and even fist gestures from men and women in the street, who hated my villainous characters," said Kodi.
"Thank God, nobody has landed rotten fruit, rotten vegetables or rotten eggs on my face yet!"
Kodi admitted that he was "honoured" to have people hate him, as it showed that he was a convincing villain.
"However, I would like to avoid unpleasant encounters as best as I can.
"That's why being half-good and half-bad is the best policy."
AWARD-WINNER
Kuala Lumpur-born Kodi's real name is Mohamad Shazmeer Rasheed.
The 34-year-old of Malay and Indian descent won Most Promising Actor in the 27th Malaysian Film Festival for his role as a gangster in 'Ophilia'.
His best known films include 'Coverina', 'Kau Yang Satu, KL Wangan', 'Mama', 'Bikin Filem', 'Sheriff: Narko Integriti', and 'Abnormal: Buas'.
His best known dramas include 'Kifarah Mistik', 'Mr Boss Miss Stalker', 'Dia Anak Jeneral', 'Cinta Fatamorgana', 'Kisah Mr Cinderella', and 'Ijab Kabut'.
BRUTAL
"There are three villainous roles which I like — 'Kau Yang Satu', 'Ophilia' and 'Sheriff'," said Kodi.
In 'Kau Yang Satu' which also starred Datuk Aaron Aziz and Dr Soo Wincci, Kodi was "very brutal".
He played a vicious stalker who killed Wincci's character in a most horrific manner.
In 'Ophilia' he played a skinhead who ends up taking innocent people hostage, but was actually a reluctant criminal.
In 'Sheriff' he played a police officer who was impatient with the slow pace of nabbing corrupt fellow officers, and took the law into his own hands, with tragic consequences.
QUE HAIDAR
Kodi looks up to Hollywood actors Joaquin Phoenix and the late Heath Ledger, and Malaysian actors Que Haidar, Namron, Datuk Mahmud June, Eman Manan and Ahmad Yatim among others.
"I love them because they are intense and focused when it comes to work, they really go deep into their characters, and put fans under their spells," he said.
His favourite actors also believe in being remembered for their work rather than their image.
"However, it is good to get into the character's shoes to a reasonable degree and 'live' his life until filming is wrapped up."
STAR-STUDDED
'Salju Rindu Di Bumi Auckland' boasts a star-studded cast headlined by Riena and Keith Foo.
The Tonton Original Series set against the backdrop of the beauty of Auckland, New Zealand tells the story of family, love and redemption.
Produced by Global Station, the 28-episode drama series also stars Emelda, Kodi, Nabil Aqil, Husna Mustaffa and Shamsul Ghau Ghau.
The drama tells the story of Juraini (Riena), a girl who is entangled in a life full of obstacles due to her father's greed and runs away from their village in pursuit of happiness.
Juraini grew up under the supervision of her father, Pak Talib (Shamsul) who abused her physically and mentally.
Juraini is also mistreated by her workplace manager Azman, who spreads lies about her and sets her up in a scandalous situation which damages her reputation among her colleagues.
She makes her way to Auckland, a city she has always dreamed of visiting, and there she meets Nathan (Keith), a kind and noble non-Muslim who helps her settle down in her newfound home.
SPITTING IMAGE
Juraini ends up marrying Nathan and changes her name to Joanna. They have a daughter named Samantha, who is the spitting image of her mother.
After leaving her homeland for a long time, Joanna's family sends her cousin Iman (Nabil Aqil) to Auckland to hopefully bring her back to Kuala Lumpur.
It appears that her elder brother and her mother want to reconcile with her, and while she is initially reluctant to go home, her daughter is eager to establish a relationship with her grandmother, uncles and aunts in Kuala Lumpur.