NOT one to mince his words, award-winning actor Tengku Iskhan Tengku Haidar, or Que Haidar, has delivered a tongue lashing to “rotten” actors who do not take their work seriously”.
“Please show our industry some respect,” Que said in an Instagram post last Sunday.
The star of films like KL Menjerit 1, Rock, Papadom and Ophilia acknowledged that many young actors showed promise, but a lot more were “below par” in talent, depending instead on looks and social media popularity.
“Becoming a successful actor is all about talent and commitment. Merely looking good, having a fan base and getting along with fellow actors will not take you anywhere,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
Que said it was “painful” to watch television dramas because many new actors were “stiff like wood” and needed to attend acting classes.
“I don’t mean any malice to any individual, but this is my opinion. I admit I was a bit stiff when I first started in my late teens, but I took heed of criticism and attended classes and workshops to better myself,” said Que, who studied performing arts at the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara).
Urging actors to equip themselves with knowledge and to read on how to better their work, he had this advice for his juniors: “Seize every opportunity to attend acting classes.
“And don’t think of acting as a glamour job.
“Realise that one day, you will inherit the industry from the seniors, and it’ll be a shame if you continue to be mediocre!”
He said Persatuan Seniman Malaysia (Seniman) should recommend new actors for courses conducted by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and that film companies be stringent in picking actors for their dramas and films.
“It saddens me to see a decline in the quality of acting.
“The saying rupa cantik, bakat cetek (good looks, but lacking talent) holds true, and I dread to think that it’ll become permanent.”
The only way for the industry to improve, Que said, was for actors to stop being “spoilt and lazy”, and add substance to their work, as their seniors had done.
“If you think acting is your job, be passionate about it and aim high. Accept criticism from your seniors to improve.”
Que, who conducts acting classes in the country with the support of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), Finas and Seniman, said there were many good actors waiting to be discovered, but did not get a chance because they may not look “commercial” enough.
“Talent should always be the priority when in comes to casting an actor.
“This was the case in earlier times, and that’s why the veterans are so much better.
“A good actor does not merely do what his director tells him, he goes the extra mile to give a great performance because he loves his work.”