Anding Indrawani has managed to maintain a consistent presence in the Malaysian entertainment industry by continuously evolving. Photo: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Anding Indrawani Zaini always knew his career would be in the entertainment industry.
But the journey that started more than two decades ago has not been an easy one.
Speaking to StarLifestyle at Petaling Jaya, the 41-year-old recalled his father’s candid advice about the arts industry.
His dad is Zaini Oje, a poet, literary and arts activist who was involved in theatre.
“My father said it was not going to be a picnic. And that I just have to deal with whatever ups and downs or challenges I might face,” said Anding, adding both his parents were his biggest supporters, always encouraging and never discouraging.
That’s exactly what he did while working towards his dream from young and, even now.
At 17, he went for an audition on RTM’s talent show called Teen Star 2000, in his school uniform no less (he sang NSync’s Bye Bye Bye complete with the now-popular choreography for the song).
Getting his start in the popular reality series 'Akademi Fantasia' 20 years ago. Photo: FilepicWhile he aced the audition, he didn’t make the cut at the actual competition.
That failure didn’t faze him as he pursued to study all about art, entertainment and film at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
He finally entered the industry through the second season of Astro’s popular reality competition show Akademi Fantasia (AF) in 2004.
But, the then-21-year-old Anding experienced early rejection when he was eliminated in week five.
While he achieved minor stardom after his appearance on the show, it would take a few more years before he got a solid standing in the industry.
He made this happen by taking control of the direction of his career, focusing on acting and hosting.
“Acting has really helped me,” the Kuching-born star explained about staying in the industry for 20 years now.
“Before social media became big, TV was very relevant... it kept you visible,” he added.
“I realised I needed to do more TV to keep myself in the public eye and build awareness,” said Anding who rose in prominence starring in dramas such as 8TV’s Ghost 2 (2008) and as host for several travelogue series on TV including RTM’s Klik-Klik Andalus (2015).
“However, this is not always easy. Sometimes TV stations don’t want to work with me.
“But I’ve been lucky with RTM. They’ve never discriminated against me and always gave me opportunities,” said Anding, who is currently hosting RTM’s talk show Kuppa Kopi.
Anding Indrawani has gone through many phases in his life as an entertainer. Photos: Instagram, The Star
Life in showbiz was hard and unpredictable for Anding. At one point of time, things did get bad enough that he thought about giving up.
“Yes, I’ve had those moments,” Anding admitted. “But I’ve never let them stop me. I can’t give up because this is what I do best.
“You need to have passion for this industry, or else you might end up shifting careers.
“In 2012, I worked as a personal trainer for a while... but I returned to the entertainment industry because that’s where my passion lies.”
Fortunately, there were good moments, too, that were silver linings.
In 2015, he performed at the 27th Asean Summit gala night in Kuala Lumpur for leaders including Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, and US President Barack Obama.
His acting career hit a high note in 2021 when he was nominated in the Best Actor and Most Promising Actor categories at Malaysia Film Festival for his performance in Headhunter. He would eventually go on to win the Most Promising Actor trophy.
“I must say, winning my first award at the festival felt really special... It made me feel seen and appreciated for my talent,” said Anding, adding that the win reinforced his commitment to his craft, reminding him why he can’t step away from the industry.
“I love it too much... I’m not sure how long I’ll continue, but I’m ready to face whatever challenges come my way.”
Maya (Nadia Aqilah) and Ilham (Anding Indrawani) showing off their moves in Chow Kit Road! Chow Kit Road! the musical. Photo: Filepic
One personal challenge occurred in 2016 when Anding received news of his father’s passing.
The actor was in KL performing in MUD The Musical when he took the call from his family in Kuching.
“That was the most devastating moment in my life,” recalled Anding, who is the middle child of five siblings.
“Taking that flight from KL to Kuching, just sobbing all the way, that’s a moment I don’t want to face again in my life.
“I regretted not being there when my father passed away,” he explained, his voice breaking.
This forced him to reevaluate his priorities which ultimately led to his decision to move back to Sarawak even though KL is the hub for Malaysian entertainment industry.
Anding felt that it was his responsibility to take care of his now 66-year-old mum after his father’s death.
The good son makes sure to celebrate his mum's birthday every year. Photo: Anding Indrawani/InstagramCaring for his father for 10 years after he was diagnosed with Parkinsonism, a neurodegenerative condition, had taken a toll on his mother’s health, too.
Anding had to wait for almost three years before he could put the action in motion.
In late 2019, RTM Kuching offered him a hosting gig for a weekly talk show programme called Kuppa Kopi.
Accepting the offer was an “easy decision” for Anding, especially when he knew it was a long-term contract.
As it turned out, that same week, his landlord in KL informed him of renovation plans for the apartment he had been renting for 10 years. He would have to move out temporarily.
Anding took this as a sign.
“I told my landlord, ‘You know what? I am moving out for good. You have to find a new tenant after the renovation’.
“I gave away my bicycle, my TV... sold some of my clothes, and whatever else.
“In the end, I was left with four boxes and two big luggage when I moved (back) to Kuching.”
He says he is proud to be playing an unsung hero in the film 'Takluk: Lahad Datu'. Photo: Handout
Anding’s strong family ties are evident in how he often brings conversations back to his loved ones.
While discussing his role in the action film Takluk: Lahad Datu that’s inspired by real events, Anding said it was an honour to play an unsung Malaysian hero.
Filming in the neighbouring Sabah was also an advantage for the actor, who didn’t have to travel as far as his co-stars.
However, another tragedy struck – his grandmother passed away when he was on location.
“I moved back to Kuching because I didn’t want to face that moment again where I had to receive bad news over the phone. But it happened again,” he said.
“So again, I found myself booking a last-minute flight and crying on the plane.”
This loss was a big blow for the actor who had cared for his grandmother after moving back to Kuching.
His journey taking care of her is documented on his Instagram.
“Among all her grandchildren, I am the only one who could lift her when she was unable to walk.
“I bathed her and figured out the right portions of her food intake,” shared the gym enthusiast who used his knowledge as a personal trainer to care for his “sumuk” (grandmother in the Bidayuh language).
Describing the experience of caring for her as profound, he shared: “She had dementia, but was somehow lucid at night. And she would speak in Bidayuh to me.
“I had to learn to communicate with her in her native Bidayuh language, which I had never spoken fluently before."
Anding, who is half Melanau and half Bidayuh, added: “I would try to learn one new word a day, looking up the translations and practising.”
After moving to Kuching, his grandmother would stay at Anding's house and he'd care for her. Photo: Anding Indrawani/Instagram
While admitting he misses KL as all his friends are here – “I grew up in KL and have lived here for 24 years” – Anding does not regret moving back to Kuching for the sake of his family.
Anding’s family first moved to KL when he was 12, due to his father’s work with Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka. Years later his family moved back, while Anding and two siblings stayed behind.
“The only thing I regret is not spending more time with my father, not about my career,” said Anding.
“As long as I’m still in the industry, even though I’m not as big or as popular as the ones here (in KL), I’m OK with it.
“I’m already in that phase where I just want to do things that I love.
“I just want to be relevant in the industry....The most important thing is being closer to my family.”
And the way for him to do that is through his contract with RTM for Kuppa Kopi.
“I do prioritise my RTM job as it offers good pay and is a steady source of income. I was especially thankful for it when the pandemic happened because I still had a job and I still got paid.”
Staying firm on this, Anding said he has turned down a couple of job offers in the recent past such as long-form series as they were being filmed in KL.
“I had to reject it because of schedule issues,” said Anding. “But I have done telemovies and movies filmed in KL, which could be done in shorter period of time.”
That doesn’t mean he is sitting idle in Kuching, other than completing his RTM job.
Since moving to Kuching, Anding has participated in a number of big local stage productions including 'Puteri Santubong', opposite Maya Karin. Photo: Anding Indrawani/InstagramSince his move, he’s done many theatre work in Sarawak, like last year’s musical Rentap: The Battle Of Bukit Sadok in which he played the titular role, as well as acting opposite Maya Karin in the production of Puteri Santubong in 2021.
Setting his own schedule has also allowed him to start his own production house, and time to travel overseas for leisure.
Recalling a headline from a 2020 online article that read, “Tak laku, Anding pulang ke Sarawak?” (Not successful, Anding returns to Sarawak?), Anding brushed it off, saying: “I know I made the right choice. The job allows me to see my mother every day and stay close to my family.
“To be honest, I think I’m quite lucky to be in Sarawak. The state really supports the creative industry, which is a big advantage.
“That’s given me opportunities to stay in this line of work. It’s not about being popular; it’s more about having steady work and making ends meet.
“Being able to return to my hometown and work there has truly been a blessing.”
As he looks ahead to the next chapter of his career, he remains open to new challenges and opportunities.
“I’ve always been committed to giving my best in this industry, even though it’s a lot of hard work.
“I can’t foresee what’s going to happen in the next five years.
“But as long as I’m still in the creative industry, I’m happy,” he said with a contented sigh.
Kuppa Kopi airs every Tuesday on TV1 at 3.05pm. Takluk: Lahad Datu is showing at cinemas nationwide.
