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#SHOWBIZ: 'Girl next door' Siti Khadijah is comfortable being herself

IN a time when many actors adopt colourful stage names, Siti Khadijah Halim prefers to do things "the old fashioned way".

The 27-year-old, Kuala Lumpur-born is happy to use her real name as her stage name, for that is what her parents call her.

FAUZIAH AHMAD DAUD

"In the past, most actors used their real names, and they include some of Malaysia's biggest movie stars as Fauziah Ahmad Daud," said Siti Khadijah at the press preview of her latest Viu drama series, romantic comedy 'From Saga With Love 2'.

The preview was held at The Aurum Theatre in The Exchange TRX, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, and attended by its producer, Lina Tan, director Umi Salwana Omar and head writer Rafidah Abdullah, as well as the main cast Ikmal Amry, Fimie Don, Hun Haqeem and Sophia Albarakbah.

REALITY

Siti Khadijah has nothing against stage names though.

"It all depends on the person, those who keep their real names do it to stay authentic to themselves, while those who adopt stage names may want to protect themselves, need privacy, and find a way for themselves to differentiate work and reality," she said.

MEDIA

Siti Khadijah has been acting since 2018 and is a Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) graduate in media communications.

She is the youngest of four siblings and her famous dramas and films include 'Rompak', 'Dia Menantu Rahsia', 'Bidadari Salju', 'Dia Yang Ku Cinta', 'Pengantin 3 Hari', 'The Maid', 'Segenap Takdir' and 'Ash & Aish'.

JOURNEY

"I started when I was 20 back in 2017 after I won a beauty pageant, so I have been in the showbiz for only five years. I still have a long way to go.

"While I didn't dream of becoming an actor during my pre-teen years, my parents often tell me that I was 'quite the actor' in the family back then."

SOCIAL MEDIA

In 'From Saga With Love 2', the sequel to the popular 'From Saga With Love' screened on Viu last year, Siti Khadijah plays the heroine Karma, a social media influencer who befriends a popular Malaysian actress Bianca who is filming in Saga, Japan.

There she falls in love with Sham, a serious but friendly and open-minded young man who is learning pottery from a master craftsman.

"Karma could be rather annoying at first, but I love her a lot, and fans root for her because she has a heart of gold, owes up to her mistakes and is determined to do better next time," said Siti Khadijah.

"I love her quirkiness and I guess that is what makes us similar. One might think she's not that brilliant but she's a very smart girl and can solve problems in no time.

"She's quick, smart just a bit clumsy. I guess I'm a lot more careful than her."

SWEET

Since her acting career began, Siti Khadijah has been cast as girls next door, and almost all of her characters have been as "sweet as honey".

"I take that as a compliment, when fans think I'm a sweet person.

"While talent is the most important thing an actor should have, a wholesome image, friendliness and humility are equally important."

OPPOSITE

As her career progresses, Siti Khadijah would love to challenge herself with characters who are the exact opposite of who she is.

Siti Khadijah's favourite actors include Diana Danielle, Mira Filzah, Nabila Huda Suhaimi and Nadia Aqilah.

"The way they carry themselves on character and off camera, their acting style, their aura is just impeccable," she said.

TIDY

Siti Khadijah, who spent a month in Saga, Japan, for her drama series, greatly enjoyed herself there.

"It was really enjoyable filming in Japan for the first time. It is a beautiful country, where everyone is tidy, orderly and friendly," she said.

FRIENDS

'From Saga With Love 2' premiered on Viu on Oct 17 and runs for 10 episodes, every Thursday.

Produced by Red Communications, it follows the adventures of best friends Karma, Sham, Bianca and Bob in their favourite Japanese city, Saga.

SHOP

Karma is a clumsy yet honest girl who is romantically involved with the mature and perfectionist potter Sham, and they co-own a pottery shop in KL.

As a business co-owner, Karma finds juggling romance and business harder and her skills are put to the test when Sham returns to Saga to care for his seriously ill master Akiro Shisho.

Fortunately, Karma manages to improve herself in managing the company, and soon visits Sham in Saga.

It is there that she is reunited with Bianca, who has now enrolled in a university, and has found a new friend Hadri.

SMOOTH

Umi said that filming took a month, and two major "mishaps" happened in their smooth-sailing "adventure" in Japan.

"Vanidah Imran, who plays Bianca's mother Kathy was hurt in a motorcycle accident and spent two months recuperating.

"And I fell ill with Covid-19, and Shamyl Othman had to stand in for me," she said.

Rafidah said that the romantic comedy covered the topics of growing up and learning, rekindling romance, parent and child relationships, and staying friends amidst challenges.

COLD

Sophia who plays Bianca admitted that she loved the weather, even though the nights were cold.

"We took two weeks to master our dialogues. Fimie knows Japanese and helped us master the language," she said.

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