THE spotlight will soon shine on singer, actor and television host Alif Satar, who is set to play popular actress Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor’s on-screen beau in an upcoming TV drama series.
The duo are busy filming the romantic comedy series, Red Velvet, directed by Michael Ang, the man behind the popular drama series Suri Hati Mr Pilot and Hero Seorang Cinderella. In both series, actor Fattah Amin played the leading man opposite Neelofa and Nur Fazura Sharifuddin respectively.
“Fattah and I are two different individuals. However, if fans want to compare us, that is beyond my control. I do not think that I will be affected by it.
“I have been in the entertainment industry for the past decade, and I can safely say that I am controversy-free. I do not need any hype such as this to build my career,” Alif said at a press screening for made-for-TV film Memori Pajeri Nenas at GSC Signature at The Gardens in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Alif, 26, a father of two, first made his name in the entertainment scene when he took part in 8TV’s reality singing show One In A Million (OIAM) in 2008.
He is thrilled to work with Ang again. Last year, he starred in Ang’s Dia Semanis Honey opposite singer-actress Siti Nordiana. Known for his natural acting style, Alif and the series became a hit overnight.
It must have been his acting that convinced Ang to cast him in Red Velvet. That, and also the fact that Neelofa had expressed her interest to work with Alif in Ang’s future drama production.
“It’s a humbling feeling when a popular actress like Neelofa recognises my talent. For her to have made a request to have me onboard is a real honour,” Alif said. He has never acted with the actress before.
In the 20-episode romantic comedy, Alif plays a cynical and egotistical baker named Izatt, who likes to pick a fight with his co-worker, Helena (Neelofa). She, on the other hand, is nursing a broken heart after being dumped by her married boyfriend.
The series will see Neelofa attempting her first comedic role.
Alif, who started out as a singer after his third place win in OIAM (one spot ahead of award-winning singer Dayang Nurfaizah), has three studio albums under his belt, Nakal (2009), Lelaki Seperti Aku (2011) and Definisi (2013).
He also dabbled in TV hosting, and helmed programmes like Remaja, Bas Pintar and Clever Girl.
However, It was only in 2010 that he gave acting a shot.
He played a minor role in Ahmad Idham’s romantic movie Aku Masih Dara, which starred Raja Farah, Yana Samsudin and Diana Amir, and starred in a horror-comedy film, Aliff Dalam 7 Dimensi, screened last year.