IT was completely out of character. Indonesian dangdut diva Inul Daratista was crying.

You’d not expect it of Inul. Ainul Rokhimah who goes under the stage name Inul, normally packs a punch and commands attention with her high energy, pulsating shows — gyrating and twisting to the funky beat of her inimitable dandgut repertoire.

But at a Press conference last Friday, the entertainer was distraught as she spoke to media members from Malaysia and Indonesia, after receiving news about the cancellation of her Johor Baru concert.

The show, which was scheduled to take place at Stadium Tan Sri Haji Hassan Yunos in Larkin last Saturday, was “unceremoniously” cancelled after the city’s state officer Jaafar Awang turned down an application for the permit.

“What did I do wrong to deserve this?” asked a teary Inul.

Having just arrived from Singapore, Inul, who was accompanied by her publicity manager Menasari Hassan looked tired.

The singer also expressed her disappointment over being informed barely 24 hours before her show.

Inul, who had arrived in Singapore on Friday morning, had been driven to KL immediately to attend a Press conference and interviews. Journalists were taken aback when Inul nearly collapsed as she walked out of the ballroom after the PC.

She had asked for “clear justification” from the authorities on the cancellation of the JB show.

The singer who popularised the infectious dangdut tunes Goyang Inul and Kocok Kocok is no stranger to Malaysian audiences. She performed at several venues in KL and Selangor between 2005 and 2007. At the time, there were voices of dissent from certain quarters who cited her image as “unwholesome” and claimed she wasn’t an appropriate act.

The objections are probably due to her “legendary” gyration popularly known as gelek gerudi, and her stage antics, which it is feared, may affect the moral values of music fans in JB.

What is JB’s loss is KL’s gain. The concert organiser IMS Prima Sdn Bhd decided that her fans shouldn’t be deprived of watching their Indonesian idol in action.

Hence, Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil was chosen the new concert venue where Inul is expected to give a 90-minute performance this Sunday. She will be backed by Audiensi, a 12-piece band from Indonesia.

Inul had initially decided to throw in the towel. But she received a phone call from Indonesian ambassador, Da’i Bachtiar, who persuaded her to carry on.

“Get back on your feet because the show must go on,” said Da’i Bachtiar, during the brief conversation which took place on Friday.

Inul eventually relented and promises an “unforgettable performance”.

She is expected to arrive from Surabaya early Sunday morning for the Bukit Jalil concert. The show will also feature several local bands, including the all-female outfit Candy and Abstrak Hingga Kebulan as opening acts.

Last Sunday, the New Straits Times published an article highlighting a reaction from the secretary-general of the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage, Dr Muhazet Masruri, pertaining to the issue. Muhazet was quoted as saying that the Ministry will not interfere in the decision by the Johor state government in refusing to issue the permit for the show in Johor Baru.

IT’S confirmed. Reality TV champion Jaclyn Victor has given her thumbs-up to act in Talentime, the latest offering by award-winning film and TV commercial director Yasmin Ahmad.

The rumour mill had it that Jac was initially uncertain if she could commit to the project. But when contacted, Jac said it’s all systems go.

“Yasmin assured me that she would assist me as regards the acting. My schedules also allow me the time,” she said, adding that she has attended a rehearsal session with lead actor Mahesh Jugal Kishor.

Talentime will also boast veteran actress Azean Irdawaty in its lineup.

Filming is expected to begin next month in Ipoh, Perak.

SINGER Mawi’s girlfriend-actress Ekin was spotted accompanying him at a club during the filming of his latest film Jin Notti recently. The film, directed by Azhari Zain, sees Mawi playing the role of an undercover cop. The film also features Hot FM radio deejay Fara Fauzana in the lead role.

We take our hats off to Ekin for being supportive of her future husband’s showbiz career. You go, girl!