19/07/2025

LYFE SATURDAY | JULY 19, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

‘King of Samba Rock’ to perform in Malacca on Aug 2 o Charity gig sees return of Darkkey Nagaraja to stage R EVIVING the samba rock rhythm that electrified the stage in the 1990s, local singer Darkkey Darkkey, 58, said he accepted the invitation to perform in the charity concert with an open heart as the show is different from the other performances he has been part of.

Park has starred in numerous hit dramas such as Reply 1988 and Love in the Moonlight .

Park Bo Gum returns to Malaysia

Nagaraja, known for his work in Tamil music, is set to perform in his debut charity concert I Am Darkkey: King of Samba Rock at Panggung Bangsawan Melaka on Aug 2. The show, organised by the Melaka Maju People’s Charity Club (MMPCC) in collaboration with Patahati Universe, Tourism Melaka and Panggung Bangsawan Melaka, aims to raise funds to support the needy. MMPCC president T. Manimaran said the concert is a tribute to local artistes who have made significant contributions to Malaysia’s Tamil music scene. “We see Darkkey not just as an artiste, but as a symbol of artistic perseverance since the 1990s. He recently drew attention after being given the opportunity to sing the theme song for the Kollywood (India’s Tamil language film industry) film Good Bad Ugly . From that success came the idea for this concert as an effort to celebrate local talent while also raising funds for our ongoing charity programmes which we have been running since 2019,” he said. The concert will also feature two popular local singers Zubir Khan and Santesh, as part of an effort to unite two generations of Tamil music creators on one stage.

According to him, he is usually only given time to perform two or three songs but this time, he will take centre stage as the lead singer, performing nine songs with new musical arrangements. “What makes me happiest is that this concert is not about me getting ‘richer.’ It is for a good cause – to help those in need. It is a charity concert and I am proud to be part of it,” he said. The Puli Puli singer also said preparations for the concert began two weeks ago with intensive rehearsals alongside musicians using the minus-one format. “I am also focusing on my stamina by exercising daily to ensure I am fully prepared to entertain the audience for the full two-hour show. Since I will be the main act this time, I need to put in more effort. But honestly, my concert outfits are still not ready,” he added. Darkkey also expressed pride in the growing popularity of local Tamil music, which he said is now gaining wider recognition domestically and internationally. He noted various genres, including sentimental, rap and rock, have found their audience, making Tamil music more versatile and accessible to

SOUTH Korean actor Park Bo Gum is making his return to Malaysia for a fan meeting, six years after his last visit. Organised by iMe Malaysia, the Park Bo Gum 2025 Fan Meeting Tour (Be With You) in Kuala Lumpur will be held on Sept 13 at Idea Live Arena. Fans can look forward to an up-close and heartwarming evening with Park in person. Since his debut, Park has starred in numerous hit dramas such as Reply 1988, Love in the Moonlight, Encounter and most recently, When Life Gives You Tangerines , in which his portrayal of Yang Gwan-sik further cemented his rising popularity. Often referred to as the “Nation’s Boyfriend”, Park is adored not only for his charming and sincere personality, but also for his multi-talented abilities in acting, singing and hosting. Known for his warm vocals, kind fan interactions and flawless stage presence, he continues to capture hearts across the globe. Now returning to meet his Malaysian fans as one of the leading Korean stars of this generation, Park is ready to create an unforgettable night filled with meaningful memories. Tickets are priced between RM228 to RM768.

Darkkey shot to fame after dropping the massive hit Puli Puli .

and committed to their artistic journey. “If you have become a singer or musician, give it your all. We must always remember that once we step into this world (of music), we belong to the fans. “We cannot just focus on our own enjoyment. We have a responsibility to work hard and entertain the people (fans),” he said. – Bernama during filming. “But in terms of quality – such as camera work and storylines – I think Malaysia is already on par with India, although our films are mostly made with smaller budgets,” he said, expressing his determination not only to make a name abroad but also to open more doors for collaboration between the Malaysian and international film industries. He pointed to the Indian film industry’s recent focus on pan-India films, which bring together actors and crew from different regions such as Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam, and are released in multiple languages simultaneously – creating a nationwide phenomenon. “If they can bring together actors from different cultures and languages, I believe we too can start collaborating with neighbouring countries such as Korea, Thailand or Indonesia. “So when foreign actors appear in our films, our market will grow even bigger,” he said. – Bernama

listeners of all backgrounds. “Now Tamil music is doing well. Even people overseas are listening. Sometimes, fans from other countries leave comments saying our songs are great. What is even more exciting is that people from other races are embracing our music too,” he said. He also offered advice to the new generation of Tamil singers, urging them to remain prepared

Irfan Zaini aims to bridge Malaysian, global film industries BEHIND his calm demeanour and modest smile, rising actor Irfan Zaini harbours a big dream – not just to be known on the local screen, but to serve as a bridge connecting the Malaysian film industry to the international stage. Kollywood industry, but his deep passion drove him to work hard and patiently wait for his chance. “Maybe others would have given up halfway,” he added.

Irfan, who gained recognition among Malay audiences after starring in Blood Brothers: BaraNaga , said acting in India opened his eyes to the vastly different work culture, with productions managed in a more professional and structured manner. “In Malaysia, a film might have only two to four assistant directors. But in India, they can have over 20. Each has a specific role – some handle the filming locations, others coordinate hundreds or even thousands of crew members, and some focus solely on planning complex sets such as large-scale action scenes. Everything needs to be managed efficiently and quickly,” he explained. He added that most film crew members in India are part of a film workers’ union that protects their welfare, including compensation in the event of injury or death

Irfan, whose full name is Muhammad Irfan Mohamed Zaini, 30, achieved an impressive milestone by appearing in three Tamil films alongside renowned star Thalapathy Vijay, 51, who is also actively involved in politics in Tamil Nadu, India. The young actor from Kuala Lumpur made his debut in the film Kuruvi (2008) at the age of 12, followed by Greatest of All Time (GOAT) (2024), and is now working on Jana Nayagan , which is currently in production and expected to be released early next year. According to Irfan, the opportunity to act in India did not come easily. It required nearly five years of back-and-forth travel, meeting directors and producers, and even being scammed by individuals who

Irfan has starred in blockbuster Kollywood hits such as Kuruvi and GOAT . – PICS FROM BERNAMA

chance, but I consider myself lucky because I was desperate to act in India,” he said. He said there is no set strategy to follow in trying to break into the

made false promises. “People think I went there and immediately got acting roles, but the truth is, I lost a lot of time, money and energy. Many are still waiting for their