01/06/2026

LYFE MONDAY | JUNE 1, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Imranul Effendy embraces competition as motivation o Project: High Council star constantly pushes self to further heights

A MID the sizeable wave of fresh faces emerging in Malaysia’s burgeoning entertainment industry, rising actor Imranul Effendy has chosen to remain grounded, viewing competition not as a threat but as an opportunity for self-improvement and career growth. The 27-year-old said the presence of fellow talents in the industry serves as motivation to sharpen his skills and deliver his best in every opportunity that comes his way. “I see competition as motivation. It pushes me to go further. I prefer competing with myself – comparing who I am today with who I used to be,” he told Bernama after appearing on Bernama Radio’s programme Di Sebalik Kamera Suara Alfa: Imranul Effendy recently. The former professional dancer, who first gained attention after going viral through the music video Jodoh Lebaran , believes talent alone is not enough to sustain a long-term career in acting, adding dedication and commitment are also important. Imranul, who previously appeared in the short drama Paku Hatiku , also acknowledged the fast-evolving entertainment industry requires artistes to stay alert to technological changes, including the growing influence of social media platforms such as TikTok. “Today, you have to keep up with new developments. People used to dismiss

YOUNG singer Zaki Yamani is now ready to take acting more seriously, saying he has had an interest in it since his childhood days. Zaki, 19, whose father is veteran singer Jamal Abdillah, said although he will continue to focus on singing, he is eager to develop his talent in acting as he sees it as an opportunity to challenge himself as an entertainer. “Singing is my first choice. But I do genuinely love acting and have always wanted to act. My father was also involved in acting before. “I’ve seen many singers succeed in acting, so I thought: Why not give it a try? But this isn’t just an experiment for me. I’ve been interested in acting since I was very young,” he told Bernama. He added he is now more open to accepting acting offers as long as they do not interfere with his singing commitments. Zaki admitted he still has much to learn as a newcomer in the acting industry, particularly when it comes to bringing characters to life in a convincing and impactful way. “With guidance from acting coaches, I will do my very best to fully embody every role given to me,” he said. The singer also revealed he initially felt nervous about accepting his first film project Tiket Sehala , produced by Key Billions Sdn Bhd, as he was worried the audience would criticise his acting abilities. Filmed across several locations in South Korea, Tiket Sehala tells the story of a group of Malaysian workers who become trapped in a human trafficking syndicate in the country. The film is scheduled for release in selected cinemas this August. Singer Zaki Yamani eager to start acting Zaki is looking to go into acting. – BERNAMAPIC

Despite the growing spotlight on his career, Imranul remains grounded in reality and admits being a public figure has its own challenges, especially when every aspect of one’s life is constantly scrutinised by the public. “When you have many followers, people are always watching your life. Sometimes outsiders try to decide how you should live, even though they don’t know the real situation. But I use all of that as motivation to keep working harder,” he said. Speaking about the financial realities often faced by artistes due to inconsistent income, the Project: High Council drama series actor advised fellow entertainers to manage their finances wisely for the future. Imranul, who makes his feature film debut in Nar’sata: Sekutu Setan directed by Pierre Andre, which premiered on May 21, said his perception of the acclaimed filmmaker changed after working with him on set. “I thought Abang Pierre was someone very serious but he’s actually very kind and easy to work with. He gives actors the freedom to be creative and always considers their comfort before filming any scene,” said Imranul, who also hopes to take on a romantic comedy role in the future. Nar’sata: Sekutu Setan produced by Metrowealth International Group, also stars Trisha Ooi, Mawar

Imranul is making his film debut in Nar’sata: Sekutu Setan . – BERNAMAPIC

Rashid, Khatijah Tan, Nam Ron, Aniq Suhair, Fadlan Hazim, Wan Hanafi Su, Vanida Imran and Ashraf Muslim.

TikTok but now everyone is on TikTok. You need to stay updated and remain relevant,” said the actor.

iPhone-shot Tamil miniseries inspires budding filmmakers

IN an era where high-end cameras and sophisticated production gear are often seen as prerequisites for filmmaking, a Malaysian Tamil miniseries shot entirely on an iPhone 15 Pro is proving that creativity and storytelling still matter most. Produced by filmmaker Karthik Shaamalan in collaboration with Unitar International University, 3SM-3 Sollu Mattumtha is a nine-episode miniseries created for the YouTube generation, encouraging aspiring creators, students and young filmmakers to explore short-form digital storytelling without waiting for expensive equipment or large budgets. What makes the project stand out is its minimalist production approach. The entire series was filmed using only an iPhone 15 Pro, supported by a RM50 wireless microphone and a RM99 ND filter set for outdoor scenes. With a total production investment of less than RM200, the team chose to focus instead on strong writing, detailed planning,

teamwork and creativity. Karthik said the project was created to challenge the perception that quality filmmaking requires expensive cameras and large-scale production setups. “I am not saying you should not use great equipment or fancy gadgets. All I am saying is do not wait until you have such things to kickstart your dream. “Dream big, but you can always start small. This project is especially for beginners and for those who are searching for a place to start,” he told Bernama after attending the project launch by Deputy National Unity Minister Yuneswaran Ramaraj at Unitar campus in Petaling Jaya, Selangor recently. The initiative also reflects the rapid growth of the creator economy, with digital platforms such as YouTube increasingly becoming viable spaces for episodic storytelling and content entrepreneurship. Beyond filmmaking, the project aims to encourage Malaysian Indian creators to preserve cultural identity through authentic storytelling while

The cast and crew of 3SM-3 Sollu Mattumtha pose for a photo. – BERNAMAPIC

embracing digital innovation. The series stars Loga Varman, Dharshamini Kesavan, Thia Lakshana,

Suriyan Magissan, Ruvela, Subatra, Tharane and Ratna Gowri, with music composed by Hari Mahendran.

New episodes will premiere every Monday and Thursday at 6pm via the Scifilm and Unitar YouTube channels.