Zizan’s change of pace

After a hectic work schedule, Zizan Razak is taking it slower, writes Hizreen Kamal

ZIZAN Razak was first seen in Astro’s Raja Lawak (Season 1) in 2007, which saw him winning second place. Then came Maharaja Lawak which saw him collaborating with fellow comedian Johan. They took home second prize.
Next, Super Sontan came along and Zizan became the champion. He won a Toyota Camry and RM100,000.

Along the way, Zizan, 29, also dabbled in acting and TV hosting, clinching several industry awards. It must have been a sweet moment for him when he won the Most Popular TV Host trophy at the Berita Harian’s Anugerah Bintang Popular awards held earlier this year, breaking Aznil Nawawi’s eight consecutive year domination in the category.

 Fast becoming a sought-after celebrity, Zizan (real name Mohd Razizan Abdul Razak), has starred in 10 movies and several made-for-TV dramas. He is also a TV host.

However, he admits that all this has taken a toll on him.  Recently, there was talk of Zizan being non-committal after allegedly failing to appear at some events that required his presence.

But he takes these comments in his stride as he knows full well that he cannot stop tongues from wagging.

“There were rumours that I failed to give my cooperation for the promotion of my films due to other commitments. There has been some misunderstanding but it’s okay,” he says. “I can’t be everywhere at the same time. So things needed to change.”

This means he will be more selective about taking on jobs.

“This is the best way to handle this issue. This way, everyone will be happy,” says Zizan, who is also a rapper.

The co-host of TV3’s popular entertainment TV show Melodi has two projects from now till year-end.

He is slated to promote KRU Films’ comedy/horror Hantu Kapcai where he stars alongside Remy Ishak and Neelofa.

He will be teaming up with Johan for Astro’s Maharaja Lawak Mega 2012 competition which starts airing in November.

At 9 tonight on Astro Prima (Astro channel 105), follow him on an exciting visit through several popular districts in Japan covering Osaka, Kobe, Wakayama, Kyoto, Shirahama, Yokohama and Tokyo in the six-episode travelogue Jejak Jepun Bersama Zizan. The series is made possible by AirAsia X and Japan National Tourism Organisation.

As a child, Zizan had always wondered what Japan was like and he dreamt of visiting the Land Of The Rising Sun.

“When the offer to host this travelogue fell on my lap, I jumped at it,” says Zizan, who is from Dungun, Terengganu.

This series marks his debut as host of a travelogue. For some TV hosts, their preparation includes research on the subject but Zizan prefers to be surprised by what Japan has to offer as “this way, the audience get to see my real emotions”.  

He was well aware of Japan’s advanced technology, modern lifestyle, anime culture and quirky fashion sense. However, when he arrived there, these were not the things that made him fall for Japan.

He says: “It’s the culture and the way the people treat each other that I find fascinating. They are down to earth and very warm towards foreigners too. Even though some of them are not proficient in English, they still tried to help, especially when we were lost,” says Zizan, who was on location there for two weeks.

At Maid Cafe, he was greeted by waitresses in a cute French maid get-up. “It’s like a live version of the Japanese popular anime. Not only were the waitresses all pretty but the service was also impressive. It was first class all the way. I was very well taken care of,” says Zizan.

In terms of technology, he was pleasantly surprised to find an automated bathroom at Fraser Residence’s room.

 “I’m a kampung boy and Japan has opened my eyes to many things and possibilities. I enjoyed the trip very much and hope to go back there again someday,” says Zizan, who also visited historic Osaka Castle and wore samurai gear, besides having a lot of fun taking the exciting rides at Japan’s Universal Studio.

 In the port city of Kobe, he found the landscape unique. “It’s almost un-Japanese as there are lots of foreign influences on its architecture,” he says.
His favourite Japanese dish? “Definitely unagi (eel).”

 

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