A biopic celebrates the life of the versatile actress and singer, writes Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli
THE singer Saloma, the third wife of legendary actor Tan Sri P. Ramlee, has her own inspiring story which has largely gone unnoticed.
Her sister Mariani and niece Melissa Saila (Mariani’s daughter) are saddened that Saloma hasn’t received more recognition, even after her death in 1983.
In an interview, actor and director Melissa says: “My mother (Mariani) often says Saloma was overshadowed by Ramlee’s fame. But Saloma wasn’t dependent on his popularity. She was great in her own right but her talents were not widely known. It’s too bad that today’s generation doesn’t know how talented she was.”
Born Salmah Ismail on Jan 22, 1932 in Singapore, Saloma began singing from young and had numerous hits, including Bunga Tanjung, Tiru Macam Saya and Bila Larut Malam. She later ventured into acting, starring in films such as Seniman Bujang Lapok, Ahmad Albab and Ragam P. Ramlee.
Melissa was 11 when Saloma died on April 25. “I don’t have many memories of her but I still remember how she carried herself. I remember following her to recording sessions, because she said I was good at remembering directions.”
Saloma was a very private person, Melissa discloses. “If she wasn’t working, she’d prefer to stay home and sew.”
For actress Sharifah Amani, Saloma was a great beauty and possessed amazing talent. “She paved the way for female actors. It’s because of her Malay women were allowed to be themselves, in how they dressed and carried themselves,” says Amani who grew up watching P. Ramlee films and was awed by the actress’ charisma in the films.
Fellow actress and popular TV host Sazzy Falak agrees. “She aspired to be an artiste, although things were tough then. She knew what she wanted and pursued her dreams. That is inspiring.
“She was a diva during her time. Mariani told me that Saloma would always make sure she looked good always. Now I know why people remember her, because she put time and effort into her appearance. She didn’t want to disappoint.”
Melissa and Mariani hope to reveal more of Saloma’s life through their two-part telemovie Saloma (Part 1: Mencuri Guruh and Part 2: Pandang Kaseh), premiering on Aug 28 on Astro First Eksklusif.
It stars Nabila Huda as the titular character, while Sazzy and Amani play Mariani and Siput Sarawak, respectively.
A BIOPIC IN THE MAKING
The idea for the biopic came up a few years ago when Mariani expressed her wish to have a film made on Saloma.
Melissa says her mother has always been protective of Saloma, and felt she would be the best person for the directing job.
“My mum lived in the same era as Saloma, so I’m lucky to have her guidance. My sister Shasha, who helped out with the wardrobe, also lived for some time with Saloma.”
Mariani acts as an advisor to the cast and crew. “She really enjoyed herself because it is a topic close to her heart,” says Melissa. Besides her mother and sister, Melissa’s husband, Saloma’s executive producer and screenwriter Megat Fauzi Isa, also provided much support and encouragement. “Initially I had doubts but he really believed that I could do this,” Melissa says. “If there were issues (during the production), he fought on my behalf.”
Recently, Astro held a screening of the telemovie for Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students, who praised it highly. “I made the telemovie to celebrate the life of a star. I hope viewers will know more about Saloma,” Melissa says.
IN PRODUCTION
Melissa proposed the idea to Astro three years ago.
“Saloma is the most difficult project of my career and the one I’m proudest of. I can say that I’m trying to portray the personal side of Saloma. People already know about her achievements but not about her as a person.”
Saloma highlights 40 years of the late singer’s life, from her childhood up to her death in 1983, at 48.
Part 1 of the telemovie will cover her early years and her attempt at becoming a singer, as well as her marriage to her first husband, AR Tompel. Part 2 tells of her love for P. Ramlee, and also her life after the latter’s death.
About 90 per cent of the telemovie is based on real events. Research took two years. Previously Melissa had produced an eight-episode documentary on Saloma titled Hanya Saloma. It was aired over TV1 in 2012. Hanya Saloma helped as a precursor for the telemovie.
When she co-directed the special staging of P. Ramlee The Musical in Kuching last year, Melissa also refreshed her knowledge on Saloma’s life.
One of the toughest challenges for the production crew was to recreate the setting during Saloma’s lifetime. “Saloma isn’t a feature film but it is similar to one. Saloma covers more stories than a feature film, so more things are expected out of it and naturally it was hard for us. Thankfully, my production crew really delivered.”
CASTING
An important part of the film is the cast. The audition had been intense. “I had to put them (those who came for audition) in make-up because they were portraying real people. I had to get it right, no matter what.”
Playing Saloma is Nabila Huda. “She represents Saloma well, from Saloma at 15 right to up to age 48,” says Melissa. Casting Tony Eusoff as P. Ramlee seemed like the most natural thing to do for Melissa. Tony played the legendary singer-actor in the musical in Kuching.
“Some other actors auditioned for the part of P. Ramlee but in my eyes, Tony was the best.”
Melissa feels very comfortable working with Sazzy. As for Amani, she says, she has known her since young but they have never collaborated.
Melissa’s daughter Noor, 10, had wanted to play the role of young Mariani in the telemovie, but the director initially refused. “I told her I didn’t think she’s ready to act, because she’s very shy, but she was very determined. Noor persuaded her father to allow her to audition.
“Noor did well. Plus, she does resemble my mum a bit, so it was only fitting that she plays Mariani. My mum was happy as well.”
Other cast members include Azhan Rani (A. R. Tompel), Julia Ziegler (Norizan), Hasnul Rahmat (Pak Mam) and Lydiawati (Umi Kalsom).
PLAYING HER HERO ON SCREEN
Sharifah Amani was 12 when she met Siput Sarawak during rehearsals for the 1998 film Layar Lara in which the latter starred. “My mum (the film’s acting coach Fatimah Abu Bakar) was conducting rehearsals that day and she took me and my sister Aleya to the set.
“Siput was there, ever so beautiful, poised and regal at 80-something. The aura she had and how everybody reacted to her were amazing.”
Siput was a force to be reckoned with“ ‘because she was a feisty vixen.”
When Amani was offered the role of Siput Sarawak in Saloma, she jumped on it because “if I were to do a biopic, I’d want to do one on Siput. It’s an honour to play her.”
Amani watched Siput’s various movies and was floored by the actress’ talent. “She was never just the pretty girl. She played character roles and I aspire to be like her.”
“It was inspiring to see Melissa and the crew doing their best. Seeing everyone working so hard to get it right, I didn’t want to let them down. It was so much fun to transform into Siput even though it is just a cameo role.”
Amani giggles as she reveals that as Siput, she had to mime to a song and perform a joget. “I don’t really sing or dance, so that scene was so much fun, and memorable.”
From the experience, Amani has learnt to appreciate Malaysia’s history of filmmaking. “Those were the golden days and we need to cherish them more. It’s a brilliant initiative by Melissa to want to produce this biopic.”
Amani would like to see one on P. Ramlee, S. Shamsudin and Aziz Sattar. “Their friendship is akin to a familial bond. I’d love to see that.”
PLAYINGSOMEONE SIMILAR
Sazzy Falak thrives on the fact that Saloma is based on a true story about a star, which is one of the reasons she said yes.
“Plus, I get to play Mariani, so it is an honour. Mariani and I were best friends on set,” says Sazzy. “She helped me a lot in getting the character right.” They have worked together before, and she realised then that they were so similar in terms of preferences.
Melissa and Sazzy also have worked together many times before, including on the telemovie Pabila Larut Malam, a tribute to P. Ramlee. “I know that her forte is this kind of genre. I trust the quality of her work,” Sazzy says.
Sazzy also enjoyed seeing other actors in costume and the set reflecting the 1960s. “I love acting in such films and be transported to another time,” she says.
Having Mariani on set most of the time was a great help but Sazzy also made time to watch the former’s films to prep for Saloma. “The telemovie is more about how Mariani was a sister to Saloma. I focused more on learning about their relationship.”
Playing Mariani from 17 to 50, Sazzy enjoyed filming scenes with Nabila because she could empathise with Mariani’s feelings for Saloma. “I imagined myself as a big sister, trying to take care of Saloma and soothe her pain. I felt their grief when I acted out the heart-wrenching scenes.”
Sazzy also commends Melissa’s effort in highlighting Saloma’s life. “We’ve watched Hollywood films that celebrate the lives of their heroes, so why not make one on our own legend?
“What we need more of is national pride. Having a production like Saloma is about feeling proud of your country,” says Sazzy.