Multi-talented Raja Rezza Shah has an undying love for culture and his home state’s history, writes Dennis Chua
MOVIEGOERS best remember Datuk Raja Rezza Shah Raja Aman Shah a.k.a. Shah Rezza for his appearance in the 1985 romantic comedy Ali Setan, alongside Fauziah Ahmad Daud and Azmil Mustapha.
In that movie directed by the late Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin (who also had a cameo role), Shah Rezza played a wealthy but “nerdy” prince Tengku Abdul Jalil who exclaimed “Ya Salam!” whenever he was surprised.
The 56-year-old actor, singer and entrepreneur often played “rich kid” roles in films throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. These included Kolej ‘56, Marah-Marah Sayang, Hati Bukan Kristal, Syukur 21, Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam and Balik Kampung.
The 1980s also saw Shah Rezza appearing in RTM’s entertainment shows Mekar Sejambak and Hiburan Minggu Ini. He turned music producer in 1997 for the album titled Pedoman, which featured spiritual songs by fellow singer-actors Nassier Wahab, Ebby Saiful (who also starred in the Ali Setan films), Ahmad Fauzee and Syed Sobrie.
The quintet came up with a sequel album in 2013 titled Pedoman 2. It was also produced by Shah Rezza and contained songs written and composed by Fauzi Marzuki, Habsah Hassan, Melly Goeslow, S. Atan and Akbar Nawab. These songs, he said, were made popular by legendary Asli singers such as Datuk Sharifah Aini, Datuk Ahmad Jais and Datin Rafeah Buang.
Born in Kota Baru, Shah Rezza is a blue-blood; his cousin is the Sultan of Kelantan, the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V.
He attributes his passion for films, music, fashion and traditional culture in no small part to his royal upbringing. In the last decade, Shah Rezza developed his business acumen by forming his own company, Nusantara Gems. The company planned the wedding of pop queen Datuk Siti Nurhaliza when she married businessman Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa in 2006.
For the last 12 years, Shah Rezza has organised the annual International Islamic Fashion Festival, a celebration of traditional and modern fashion, and its fusion with an Islamic theme.
As far as acting is concerned, Shah Rezza is appearing more frequently on TV3 and Astro Ria dramas and TV series these days. His best known series of late have been Mr London Miss Langkawi and Tuan Anas Mikael.
The proud owner of men’s fashion line Rajarezza, he will also produce a TV series about the challenges faced by fashion models who aspire to be world-class — their stories are certainly close to his heart.
“I’m going to appear in a 100-episode telenovela titled Tuscan Passion, with Ashraf Muslim and Nabila Huda Suhaimi.
It’s an interesting story that has multiple plots and plot twists. There’re also the telemovies Malaikat Pun Tahu and Siapa Dia Sebenarnya and they’ve got great storylines.”
Shah Rezza recently directed the Astro First telemovie Permata Hati which starred Elaine Daly and Edika Yusof.
His undying passion for Kelantanese history and culture has seen him being appointed as the cultural ambassador of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. From time to time, he does research on his home state’s illustrious past, with members of the Kelantan royalty. He aims to write books and produce documentaries about Kelantanese culture.
Shah Rezza’s favourite singer and musical inspiration is the late Sharifah Aini. He describes her as the country’s greatest songstress.
“I first saw her sing in my hometown, and instantly fell in love with her voice. I managed her in the 1980s. She was a gem, she befriended people with ease and we shared much merriment together,” he said.