18/01/2026

ON SUNDAY January 18, 2026 theSunday Special IX

T HERE is a new breed of local actors gracing both television and the silver screen. These young, talented individuals are steadily on the rise and set to become the next Malaysian movie stars. With easy access to information and media, they are well-informed about the entertainment industry and the art RI ¿OPPDNLQJ 7KLV JLYHV WKHP D FOHDU advantage over those who came before them, when watching a movie meant EX\LQJ D WLFNHW DW WKH FLQHPD DQG UHVHDUFK could only be done through print media and publications. Today’s actors have far more resources and opportunities to GHYHORS DQG UH¿QH WKHLU FUDIW Newcomer Natasya Mahyan is one RI WKHP &LWLQJ 5RVDPXQG 3LNH DV KHU favourite actress, rather than mainstream choices such as Julia Roberts or Angelina Jolie, Natasya also named David Fincher as the director she admires most. The Johor-born actress clearly understands WKH ¿OP LQGXVWU\ EH\RQG WKH ORFDO VFHQH and, more importantly, her mention of David Fincher alone is enough to show her strong sense of taste. “ :DWFKLQJ 5RVDPXQG 3LNH¶V SRUWUD\DO of the character Amy Dunne in Gone Girl made me realise how powerful it is when DQ DFWRU FDQ NHHS WKH DXGLHQFH RQ HGJH $V IRU 'DYLG )LQFKHU KLV ¿OPV OLNH The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo , are my favourite for his attention to detail and the intensity of every scene. Locally, I truly admire %HUQDUG &KDXO\ EHFDXVH KLV ZRUN RIWHQ highlights women’s empowerment. I also respect Kabir Bhatia for his beautifully HPRWLRQDO VWRU\WHOOLQJ 7R EH DEOH WR ZRUN ZLWK GLUHFWRUV OLNH WKHP ZKHWKHU KHUH LQ Malaysia or internationally, would be a GUHDP FRPH WUXH EHFDXVH , NQRZ , ZRXOG learn and grow so much as an actress,” she said. Natasya has always loved acting. Dur ing her school days, she was always the ¿UVW WR YROXQWHHU IRU SOD\V FKRLUV RU VNHWFKHV 7KH FKDOOHQJH RI VWHS ping into different characters and telling interesting stories brought her the most joy. The real turning point

My mum has always been my biggest critic.”

with opportunities to learn, grow and ZRUN ZLWK VRPH RI WKH PRVW WDOHQWHG SHRSOH LQ WKH LQGXVWU\ %XW OLNH HYHU\ RWKHU profession, it does come with its own set of challenges,” she explained. As a younger actress, Natasya finds KHUVHOI ZRUNLQJ H[WUD KDUG WR SURYH KHUVHOI and show she is serious about her craft. It FDQ IHHO FRPSHWLWLYH EXW IRU KHU LW NHHSV her motivated to continue improving and never stop learning. The unending support from her fans, colleagues and IDPLO\ PDNHV LW VR UHZDUGLQJ DQG NHHSV her passionate about being an actor. Her role in 6KHUL̆ “I have been acting for a few years now and have been fortunate enough to become a part of some very memorable projects. 7KH PRVW H[FLWLQJ RQH ZRXOG GH¿QLWHO\ be Sheriff VLQFH LW PDUNHG P\ first appearance on the silver screen. What made it even more special was that WKH ¿OP ZHQW RQ WR EHFRPH D ER[ Ṙ FH success. I played the role of Sub-Inspector Wani. Even though my screen time was quite short, I felt truly honoured to be JLYHQ WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR ZRUN DORQJVLGH some of the biggest names in the industry. *HWWLQJ WKH FKDQFH WR ZRUN XQGHU GLUHFWRU 6\D¿T

Stepping into the spotlight 4KUKPI UVCT TGƔGEVU QP ITQYVJ RGTUGXGTCPEG CPF HWVWTG IQCNU

BY HANNEF ESQUANDER

came when she saw a social media post by actress Nora Danish about an audition held by director Michael Ang for his new telemovie. “ , VWLOO UHPHPEHU ZDONLQJ into the audition feeling nervous and doubtful because there were so many talented people there. I honestly thought my chances were very slim.

her father’s wish by graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from UNITEN in 2022. Her siblings are equally encouraging and supportive. They FRXOG QRW VWRS WDONLQJ DERXW WKH WHOHPRY ies and television series in which Natasya DFWHG 6KH ¿QGV WKLV VZHHW EXW VKH FDQ¶W help but laugh about it, too. “My mum, on the other hand, has always been my biggest critic. She gives PH KRQHVW IHHGEDFN RQ P\ DFWLQJ DV ZHOO as my image and appearance. I really YDOXH WKDW EHFDXVH LW SXVKHV PH WR NHHS improving. I needed all the support and critiques that I could get. Being a young actress in Malaysia has been such an exciting journey for me. I’ve been blessed

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Support system Natasya’s family has always been very supportive of her journey as an actor. When

When I got the FDOOEDFN , ZDV overjoyed. When Michael DVNHG LI , ZDQWHG to be part of his telemovie, I could not believe it. I immediately said yes. That moment truly changed my OLIH /RRNLQJ EDFN I feel so grateful DQG FRPH WR WKLQN of it, I actually owe my career to Nora Danish,” she said.

VKH ILUVW DVNHG her father about becom ing an actress, she was told immed i - ately that she could be what as long as she c o m - pleted her GHJUHH ¿UVW She granted ever she wanted,

Like every other profession, being an actress does come with its own set of challenges.”