Actress Nasha Aziz is marking her return as a leading lady in Kabir Bhatia's horror Talbis Iblis, playing a vengeful mother
AWARD-winning actress Nasha Aziz last terrified moviegoers as the vicious and murderous housemaid Jeslina in Trauma 18 years ago.
That disturbing villainess earned her Best Actress at the 17th Malaysian Film Festival 2004.
After lying low and taking only supporting roles, the 51-year-old artiste is making a "scary comeback" as a main antagonist in award-winning director Kabir Bhatia's second horror film, Talbis Iblis (The Devil's Deception).
BACK WITH A BANG
"It's great to return with a 'bang' as a multi-layered character who scares viewers, but also has a tragic backstory they can relate to," said Nasha whose real name is Noraishah Aziz, at the launch of Talbis Iblis at Panggung Asia in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur recently.
She said her character, a middle-aged midwife named Junaidah or Mak Ju, suffered abuse, including sexual abuse, at the hands of her stepfather as a child, and was later gang-raped and saw her newborn child killed.
"Junaidah has gone through hell as a child and a young woman. That's why she ends up dabbling in black magic with the aim of bringing her dead baby back to life, via the medium of an unwanted newborn," said Nasha who is working with popular actors and actresses such as Zul Ariffin and Azira Shafinaz Ramlan of De Fam for the first time.
SELECTIVE APPEARANCES
Nasha said since 2008, she had chosen to be more selective in her big screen roles.
"That year, I made a decision to appear in roles that I could truly relate to, be they supporting or main characters. I wanted to play 'value added' characters who were scene-stealers and who left a lasting impact in the minds of viewers," she said.
Strongly identified with Junaidah, Nasha said even though her character was evil, her cruel motives stem from her grief and bitterness of the past.
"Junaidah has suffered all her life, she has grown up mistreated by all the men who were supposed to care for her."
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Filming took place during the Movement Control Order from December 2019 to January 2020 in Pulau Carey and Paya Indah, tourist attractions in Kuala Langat, Selangor.
"Filming went smoothly, despite the occasional heavy rains, and besides the strict standard operating procedures that severely limited the number of people in a scene, we also had to film all of the pivotal scenes after dark," said Kabir.
The filmmaker whose first horror film was 2013's Sembunyi: Amukan Azazil, said he chose to re-enter the horror genre as it was hugely popular around the world.
"Horror and comedy never die out, they remain ever popular. I've just made one horror film, so why not another?"
UGLY FOR A CHANGE
Zul, 35, who plays Junaidah's childhood friend and sidekick Nasir, said it was great to play an "ugly man" for a change.
"Nasir is a brute of a man, with a badly disfigured face and an unkempt beard. He's also got a sad backstory like Junaidah, and viewers can similarly relate to what he went through," said Zul, adding that Nasir was initially a minor role.
"I guess since I've been a leading man for sometime, the producers decided to enhance Nasir's role in the story and give him an interesting character arc. I love him, despite how scary he looks, and the hours and hours of makeup I had to go through every day!"
SAVING HERSELF
Azira, 30, who plays the heavily pregnant heroine Hajar, said that she would always remember Talbis Iblis as her first leading role.
"What makes me proud to play Hajar is, she is a very strong young woman. She is not a girl in distress who needs a guy to save her as she can save herself," said Azira who is marking her second film this year after Air Force The Movie: Selagi Bernyawa.
Azira added that playing a "mum-to-be" was tricky as it was very uncomfortable wearing a "load" on her body.
"I learnt to play a pregnant woman from my elder sister who is now a proud mother of three children. How she walks, talks and feels ... I had a first-hand experience while helping her!"
Jointly produced by Infinitus Gold, Astro Shaw, Jazzy Pictures, A Next Start Production and MM2 Entertainment, Talbis Iblis will premiere in cinemas nationwide on Oct 20.
