RISING star Siti Hariesa started out with having dreams of becoming a businesswoman but a 'just for the fun' outing in an acting audition turns out to be her true calling and she is now a rising star in Malaysia's entertainment industry.
Since 2019, this fast rising star has been churning some excellent performances in her projects and determined to succeed, the young lass aims to reach higher heights in her chosen professional field.
"At that time I had some free time and my friends told me there was an acting audition for the KL Drama Festival in 2019. It was just a 'spur of the moment thingy'. I made the cut and then I was a finalist in the event.
"All my friends encouraged me and my family also gave me the go-ahead. I had some free time, so I kept at it," said the young actress who hails from Segamat, Johor.
"Come to think of it, I love the job. I thank them all who gave me a big push in my career. After five years in the entertainment industry, the working experiences has been amazing. Maybe after my career, starting a business may come into the picture, but for now, I love what I'm doing.
"God willing, I will have a lasting career which I will fondly remember in years to come. The experiences in this industry is very, very, educational for my life, the income has been steady and I thank god for that and besides that I just hope to excel in all my roles in my career."
The former business management student from Management & Science University (MSU) will soon be seen in iQIYI's heavy emotional drama 'Senyawa' beginning from Oct 25.
"Alhamdulillah, so far, I have received good reviews for my performances. That always spur me to do better in my acting and career. I'm thankful for getting steady offers since choosing this profession. I hope the critics will accept my role in the new drama," said Siti.
While the topic of surrogacy among Muslims is rarely discussed, the complexities surrounding forbidden sacrifices are set to unfold in 'Senyawa' at the end of the month The drama centres on Zabrina (played by Trisha Ooi), a successful businesswoman enjoying a seemingly happy marriage. However, beneath her accomplishments lies a series of conflicts.
Following her marriage to Iskandar (played by Shahz Jaszle), Zabrina suffers a miscarriage and is diagnosed with cervical insufficiency. Pressured by her mother-in-law, Dato’ Asmida (played by Datin Nina Juren), who longs for a grandchild, Zabrina resolves to find a surrogate, unwilling to share her husband.
Siti (left) with co-stars Shahz Jaszle and Trisha Ooi during the launch of the drama series 'Senyawa' which will air in iQIYI on Oct 25. - Image from iQIYI
Her encounter with Lutfiyah (played by Siti Hariesa), a village girl who bears a striking resemblance to her, leads to Zabrina believing that Lutfiyah is the perfect candidate. But then Lutfiyah and Zabrina's husband are not new to each and they too have a history between them.
Siti, portraying Lutfiyah, believes the drama conveys essential lessons: “Beyond the challenging performances of the three main characters, I gained valuable insights.
“Transparency is crucial in any relationship, we must avoid secrecy, especially with our partners. One should think carefully before acting and not let emotions overshadow religious principles."
Siti's journey to stardom has been steady and the determined actress said she is in no hurry to see herself as a superstar in the country or even the South-East Asia region.
"I have such a long journey ahead of me. I just want to continue to impress and continue to act in good movies and drama. And I will always push myself to be better in future projects," said Siti, who is also doing well with gigs in the modelling world.
As written earlier, Siti has been impressing the Malaysian fans since she made her breakthough in the 2019 drama 'Utusan Cinta Buat Adam'.
She also received solid reviews in her TV serials last year. She was applauded and won many fans with her performances in 'Kau? C.E.O Aku?', 'Bintang' and 'Rajuk Karina'.
TV3 drama 'Rajuk Karina' was very well followed and had many fans rooting Siti's performance in the drama, which was adapted from a novel.
"That show was a super outing for me. I thank the producers and director who believed in me carrying the main role. I hope I keep up that kind of standard in my future endeavors," she said.
She also stressed: "Saya gembira dengan kerjaya saya, jadi sekarang hanya mahu buat kerja dan jadi yang terbaik bagi membuktikan kemampuan diri - I'm just happy with my career and for now, I want to keep on doing a good job and do the best I can to my acting ability."
Last year, she also acted in the controversial drama 'Perempuan Itu', due to series storyline and certain scenes, with top actor Zul Ariffin and actress Mimi Lana. The series originally to be aired by TV3 which was then moved to local streaming outfit Tonton. But despite the controversy, the drama was well received by fans in the country and among the most watched series in Tonton.
"It was a series with a certain theme (infidelity). As an actress, I had a job to do and I did to my best abilities. And I wanted to move on after that. I'm still thankful in getting a chance with a top actor and actress," said Siti.
In fact, so popular was the young actor, she was also a nominee for best actress at the 'Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian ke-35' show last year.
And this year, Siti's career is on a high. Besides 'Senyawa' she was also seen in Astro's 'Si Jantung Hati' in February this year, which was highly appreciated by many fans. She will also feature brightly in TV3's 'Akad Yang Terlindung' and Tonton's 'Perempuan Ilmu Hitam' this year.
But for now Siti is just hoping that she will again win the hearts of fans in 'Senyawa'.
"This is one my most emotional acting gig. It was tough but it was an incredible experience. The director was always guiding us well, and I'm very grateful for that. The outing here makes me a better actor and for my future jobs. And I hope the fans are happy with the result that we will put on," said Siti.
Meanwhile, 'Senyawa' director Eyra Rahman said the drama will be one-of-a-kind experience for the fans.
She emphasises the gravity of the issues presented: “The themes explored in this drama are significant, addressing the laws of halal and haram.
'Senyawa' challenges conventional perspectives by exploring the justification of typically forbidden acts. Life’s pressures can lead individuals to compromise their values, opting for easier paths that may include legitimising surrogacy, often driven by self-interest without considering the potential consequences."
Jony Deng, General Manager of iQIYI Malaysia & Singapore, remarked, “As with our previous series, I hope 'Senyawa' resonates with viewers, offering a unique experience later this month. With its compelling storyline, exceptional cast, and meaningful insights into religious laws, this drama serves as both entertainment and a source of reflection.”
Don’t miss your chance to watch 'Senyawa' exclusively on iQIYI. premiering October 25, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. (every Friday & Saturday). Download the iQIYI app from the App Store or Play Store to subscribe and enjoy this captivating drama series.
