Fahrin on Skrin

No stranger to hosting, Fahrin Ahmad tells Dennis Chua that Anugerah Skrin 2014 is a dream come true

HOSTING the prestigious Anugerah Skrin, which celebrates the best of films, television dramas and programmes, will be a thrill for actor Fahrin Ahmad.

The Johor Baru-born actor is jumping for joy and cannot wait to present the annual awards which will be broadcast live on TV3 on Nov 7.

“It may not be my first time hosting a major entertainment awards show, but nevertheless, it’s a dream come true,” says Fahrin, who co-hosted the Malaysia Film Festival with Erra Fazira last year.

Tomorrow, Fahrin will be co-hosting the Malaysia Film Festival 2014 with actress Nur Fazura Sharifuddin.

“It’s great to partner Fazura. We’re great friends who have starred together in TV dramas over the years. I guess 2014 is my lucky year as I host two prestigious awards,” says Fahrin, who has been an actor for the past 12 years and believes in versatility.

“I love Hollywood and Hong Kong actors, who not only thrive on TV and film but also host entertainment shows and documentaries.”

He has hosted the celebrity dance challenge Sehati Berdansa and Radio Televisyen Malaysia’s (RTM) sports programmes.

“Versatility gives me staying power. To be a successful entertainer, I must always reinvent myself, and taking up hosting helps.”

Fahrin believes firmly in being “known for the right reasons”.

“In show business, we have actors who are known for their antics more than their acting. It happens everywhere in the world and that’s not who I want to be,” he says.

“I want to be regarded as an actor in good dramas and films, present memorable showcases, and communicate good public service messages to fans.”

In a nutshell, Fahrin wants to achieve fame through talent alone, and always gives an honest performance.

His most recent TV drama, Maaf Jika Aku Tak Sempurna, was a hit with viewers who praised his brilliant on-screen chemistry with actress Sara Ali.

“She is beautiful, intelligent and hardworking. We got along great on the set and enjoyed every bit of filming,” says Fahrin, a Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) law graduate, who appeared in numerous print and TV advertisements before becoming an actor.

He is the brand ambassador for a coffee product and he’s its alter ego — superhero Ali Man.

“I became Ali Man last year and it’s great that fans love my TV advertisements.

Another advertisement is a women’s product.

“I appear with singer, actress and TV personality Adibah Noor.

“She’s one of my all-time favourite entertainers, and we both have a positive outlook and sense of humour.”

Last year, Fahrin gave voice to height-phobic giraffe Mellman in the Bahasa Malaysia voice-over edition of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.

It marked Fahrin’s second voice-over role. He also voiced the character of Saladin in Saladin, the animated series, for the BM version.

“While I love voicing tough action heroes like Saladin, I’m more at home with brawny and fearless animated animals, such as tigers and lions. Nevertheless, voicing the ‘softy’ giraffe Mellman was cool because I sometimes like to play characters markedly different from my usual self,” he says.

Fahrin’s first TV stint was as host in Astro Ria’s entertainment programme XY. He subsequently made his acting debut in the drama series Salina, and in 2007, he made his movie debut in director Osman Ali’s Puaka Tebing Biru.

Another notable film of his was Dua Hati Satu Jiwa co-starring Yasmin Hani and Fouziah Ghous.

“That was a funny, yet moving story of Siamese twins who longed to be separated, yet were fearful of the risk of an operation. I was the kindly doctor who conducted the operation,” he says.

Fahrin also starred in TV drama Rindu Bertamu Di Abu Dhabi and even sang its theme song. “I don’t think I’m much of a singer, but fans have given me positive feedback. Hopefully, I’ll get to sing another theme song next year.”

His co-hosts in Anugerah Skrin are actors Shukri Yahaya, Nabila Huda Suhaimi, Zul Ariffin, Tasha Shilla Razak and Amyra Rosli, and TV personalities Fara Fauzana and Fiza Sabjahan.

This year sees the largest number of co-hosts in the history of the annual film and television awards as usually, there are only two.

Shukri has just completed the telemovie Maha Cinta Alia with fellow actors Julia Ziegler and Emma Maembong. Directed by Along Kamaruddin, it is the story of a man whose beautiful manager secretly loves him, but he soon learns that she is mentally ill.

Shukri will also appear in TV drama Jalan Taubat directed by Jinggo and co-starring Emma’s sister, Chacha Maembong. Next month, he’ll be filming a movie Asam Pedas Untuk Dia with Erin Malek.”

Shukri’s best known movies and dramas are Ular, Jiwa Taiko and Juvana. He was nominated for Most Promising Actor in last year’s Malaysia Film Festival for Perempuan Itu Ibuku.

“That was a beautiful story of a young man whose mother is drawn into prostitution, but he works hard to bring her back to the right path,” says Shukri. “I co-starred with the brilliant Sherry Merlis, who has guided me a lot in my acting journey.”

He is delighted to be hosting an awards show for the first time, and says actress Nad Zainal did a splendid job last year. “She’s one of my good friends, and favourite actresses, too.”

Zul is marking his hosting debut with Anugerah Skrin. The actor who has starred in three movies (Penanggal, Bikers Kental and Jin) is a hit for his romantic drama series Rindu Awak 200%.

“My next project is director Azmi Hatta’s television drama Istikharah Cinta in December, where I star opposite new actress, Faye Kushairi,” he says.

“There’s also Lokum Untuk Mama which reunites me with my Rindu Awak 200% co-star Ayda Jebat, and Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan and Khatijah Tan.”

Zul, formerly a model, has been acting for five years. He says: “I love playing romantics and action heroes, as well as the occasional bad guy, preferably corporate villains.”

Tasha Shilla, who recently hosted Anugerah Blockbuster’s red carpet event, is looking forward to her first Anugerah Skrin.

The winner of Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2011’s Popular New Female Artiste will soon appear in the drama Tabir Zulaikha with Aiman Hakim Redza and Shahz Jaszle. It is the story of a girl who marries her rich employer even though she has a village sweetheart.”

Tasha Shilla is hopeful that the drama series Biniku Hantu Langsuir, in which she stars, will win an award at the Anugerah Skrin.

“While it’s great to co-host the awards, it’ll be a night to remember if my series takes home an award too,” she says.

Amyra, who has been acting since last year, is excited to team up with Fahrin and Fara, her favourite actor and television personality respectively.

“With both of them around, I’m delighted that I’m in good company this Anugerah Skrin. My next TV drama series is Suamiku Encik Sotong with Sharnaaz Ahmad on Astro Ria,” says Amyra, the eldest of four siblings who admits she is ‘pretty shy’. She adds that hosting a prestigious showcase will help her break out of her comfort zone.

“In future, I’d love to host travel shows as I love discovering holiday destinations in Malaysia and overseas.

Fara has hosted Anugerah Juara Lagu in 2006 and Anugerah Skrin in 2011. “This time, I’m playing second fiddle to Fahrin, but that doesn’t matter, both of us are good friends. While I’m not in any movie this year, I’ll soon be filming Sekelip Mata with Keith Foo, Azad Jazmin and Bront Palarae. It’ll be out next year and I play a villainess.”

Wanita Hari Ini host Fiza busied herself watching past editions of the Anugerah Skrin on YouTube to prepare herself for the coming awards.

“While I have hosting experience, Anugerah Skrin is a major challenge, as it is star-studded and live. Nevertheless, I’m all set for it, and I hope to have a great time meeting all my favourite actors and actresses.”

Fiza from Klang has been in TV3 for seven years and admires former Majalah Tiga host Wan Zaleha Radzi, her favourite TV personality.

Behind the scenes

ANUGERAH Skrin honours films, dramas and television programmes from all major TV networks in the country. This year‘s awards event begins at 8.30pm on Nov 7, in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur.

Executive producer Khalijah Mohamed says there are two new award categories, namely Best Drama Series In Social Media and Best Premium Drama. The winner is determined by votes on Twitter.

The Best Premium Drama is for dramas worth RM150,000 and above with cinematographic and artistic value.

The theme for Anugerah Skrin 2014 is Prestij Dan Anggun (Elegant And Prestigious).

Besides the co-hosts, radio and TV personalities Hani Hatim and Aidid Marcello host the red carpet arrivals at 7.30pm (broadcast on TV9).

The featured artistes are DJ Fuzz, Dikir Warriors, Waris, Iwere, Azlan Roslee, Black, Hafiz Suip, Stacy Anam and Ella.

Director Erma Fatima has a sketch which stars Nazim Othman, Aqasha, Norlia Ghani and Nora Danish, on behind-the-scenes struggles of filmmakers and actors.

Adlin Aman Ramlie has a comedy sketch which parodies the legend of the dragon of Tasik Cini, and it stars comedian Douglas Lim of SuperMokh The Musical.

Azlan, Black and Hafiz will perform songs by Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Ziana Zain and Misha Omar among others, while Ella will take on jazz numbers and Stacy will perform Irama Malaysia numbers.

The awards presenters include Zalina Azman, Vanidah Imran, Farit Ismeth Emir, Rashid Sibir, Datin Paduka Umie Aida, Faizal Hussein, Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, AR Badul, Fauziah Ahmad Daud, Datuk Rahim Razali, Datuk Yusof Haslam and Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina.

The finalists who will meet and greet fans include Izreen Azminda, Hairi Safwan, Nur Risteena, Fezrul Khan, Emma Maembong, Bell Ngasri, Johan Asari and Syazwan Zulkifly.

There are 32 categories of awards, plus the Yasmin Ahmad Award for outstanding achievement in entertainment.

There are 12 drama categories, seven film categories, six internal production categories, six technical categories and one special award.

The awards are for TV and film productions from July 1, last year to June 30, this year.

All nominations are made with help from research by the Nielsen Audience Measurement and picked by a professional jury.

Categories

The Drama categories are Best Drama, Best TV Acting, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Videography, Best Drama Comedy, Best Drama Series, Best Premium Drama and Best Social Network Drama.

The Film categories are Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

The Non-Drama categories are Best Talk Show, Best Documentary / Magazine, Best Special Report, Best Entertainment Programme, Best Awards Programme and Best Reality Prorgamme.

The Technical categories are Best Videography, Best Editing, Best Lighting, Best Sound Engineering, Best Set Design and Best Montage.

NOMINEES

The Drama Series In Social Media nominees include Ariana Rose, Ammara Batrisya, Evolusi KL Drift The Series, What If and Aku Ada Wali.

The Best Drama nominees include Bini Aku Hantu Langsuir, Balqis and Luth Mahfuz.

The Drama Comedy Series nominees include Bedah Vs Joyah, Yes Boss! and Mat Three Four.

The Best Premium Drama nominees include Karlos Bolos and 7 Jam.

The Best Drama Series nominees include Aku Ada Wali, Evolusi KL Drift The Series and What If.

The Best Film nominees include Dampak, CEO, Balada Pencinta, Adnan Sempit 3, Abang Long Fadil and Balistik.