KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran actress Datin Seri Umie Aida, 51, recently had a memorable experience filming an advertisement with tigers, cheetahs and eagles in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Umie said in an interview with Harian Metro Online yesterday that the experience was a little frightening as one of her colourful outfits agitated a tiger and it looked as if the beast was going to pounce on her.
Fortunately, the animal trainers were always on the set and kept the wildlife under control.
"It was an advertisement for a perfume brand, a collaboration I had with cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Seri Alha Alfa," said Umie adding that the advertisement used her hit song Salam Taj Mahal from the popular 1990s drama series of the same name which starred Datuk M. Nasir and herself.
"In the UAE, being surrounded by wild and exotic animals is a symbol of prestige. I love animals, but getting up, close and personal with them does give me the shivers especially if they are known to be fierce," said Umie.
"Apart from the tiger, the rest of the animals were fine and it was truly an honour to share lots of stylish scenes with them. I petted a cute cheetah and had a beautiful little eagle perch on my head."
